| In Soccer, control of the ball is of great importance | | | | three things after controlling the ball: shield the ball by |
| skills to every level and any type of player. The ability | | | | putting their body between the ball and the opponent, |
| to control an awkward bouncing ball quickly and | | | | pass (or shoot) the ball; or they will dribble the ball. The |
| effectively gives the player with the ball the immediate | | | | space and time they have to do these things will |
| advantage. This called "First touch" and is often the | | | | depend on how good the player's first touch is when |
| critical difference between success and failure in most | | | | receiving the ball. |
| situations during the match. | | | | Players MUST develop a feel for the ball. it's means |
| As players get older, the game gets faster, and | | | | touch, and a fine touch requires a player to be |
| demands more speed. At this level, there is a greater | | | | comfortable touching the ball with all parts of the foot. |
| need for first-time passes and a precise first touch on | | | | Players must practice controlling balls on the ground as |
| the ball. Often, players cannot always play a first-time | | | | well as balls out of the air. Remember, that good |
| ball; therefore, they must trap the ball, or may have to | | | | control is the ability to take the ball with one touch in |
| dribble if no teammates are in position to receive a | | | | such a way that you can play the ball with your next |
| first-time pass. Time and space go hand-in-hand in | | | | movement without having to chase or reach for it. The |
| soccer. The less time a player takes to do something, | | | | ability to control the ball with the feet is a basic element |
| the more time they will have to take advantage of it. | | | | of soccer. A good touch is very instinctive to some |
| Typically when controlling a ball, a player will do one of | | | | players, but harder for others. |