Developing a quality first-touch for youth players is vital if they are to be successful on the pitch!
The development of the first-touch is much more than repetitive drills where kids learn how to ‘trap’ the ball in un-realistic conditions and without the pressure from opponents. Players must learn to receive the ball with all areas of the body, with restricted time + space and under varying degrees of pressure from opponents if they are truly to develop game-insight and the ability to be successful when it matters the most – in the match!
The following session begins with an un-opposed warmup phase where players are introduced to the concept of receiving / preparing the ball with the first-touch and passing with the next touch. The session progresses to an 8v4 activity; depending on the level of player this activity may need to be modified – for example; 8v4 can be simplified to 9v3 in order for players to have success. Coaches may need to simplify even further – this may lead to 5v2 and 5v1 situations to ensure a level of success!
Good Luck with your training!
Youth Scene: Developing the First Touch
1.
Setup:
Players with different colour bibs are positioned in the playing area as follows (12-16 Players):
- Red players on the perimeter with a ball each
- Black players on the perimeter without a ball
- Yellow players inside the grid without a ball
Instructions:
DEVELOPING THE FIRST TOUCH:
The Yellow team moves freely within the grid calling for the ball, receiving passes, moving / preparing the ball with their first touch before passing it with their second touch to a player on the perimeter who does not have a ball.
Play is continuous – Change roles after 45sec -1:30 min
Coaching Option / Progressions:
- Only use left/right foot
- Only use inside/outside foot
- After passing the perimeter players follow their pass to apply pressure to the receiver on their 1st touch
Coaching Points:
- Must emphasise – anticipation, communication (verbal / non-verbal) and awareness
- Players should have an idea beforehand to whom they are going to play the ball – scan the playing area
- The 1st touch should prepare the ball for the pass – no need to ‘stop’ the ball – prepare it in the direction you want to go next
2.
Setup:
Players with different colour bibs are positioned in the playing area (12-16 Players).
Instructions:
POSSESSION: DEVELOPING THE FIRST TOUCH:
One team is designated as the ‘Defensive’ team for the designated time. In the diagram Yellow is the defensive team; the Red + Black team must maintain possession (8v4) and avoid interceptions by the Yellow opponent.
*2-touch mandatory to force players to utilise a positive 1st touch. In the diagram Player (B) has received a pass from (A); (B) has pressure from a Yellow opponent therefore must take a 1st touch into space to avoid the pressure.
Target for Yellow – ‘how long does it take to make 5 interceptions?’ Change roles after designated time.
Coaching Points:
- Must emphasise – anticipation, communication (verbal / non-verbal) and awareness
- Players should understand options beforehand to whom they are going to play the ball – scan the playing area
- Encourage 2-touch play; the 1st touch to receive the ball and the 2nd touch to pass it
- The 1st touch should prepare the ball for the pass – no need to ‘stop’ the ball – prepare it in the direction you want to go next
3.
Setup:
A 4v4 + 4 Perimeter players is organised as shown; this creates an 8v4 for the team in possession.
Instructions:
POSSESSION: DEVELOPING THE FIRST TOUCH:
Mandatory 2 touches for all players including the ‘Perimeter Players’ . Players must keep ball moving at all times – not allowed to stop the ball with the 1st touch; Emphasis is on players receiving into space / away from pressure and opponent with the 1st touch. Goals are awarded for successfully working the ball from perimeter player in EndZone ‘A’ to player in EndZone ‘B’.
Play is continuous.
Coaching Points:
- Must emphasise – anticipation, communication (verbal / non-verbal) and awareness
- Players should know in advance to whom they are going to play the ball – scan the playing area
- Encourage 2-touch play; the 1st touch to receive the ball and the 2nd touch to pass it
- The 1st touch should prepare the ball for the pass – no need to ‘stop’ the ball – prepare it in the direction you want to go next
4.
Setup:
A 4v4 + 4 Perimeter players is organised as shown; this creates an 8v4 for the team in possession. End-zones with mini-goals are created at each end.
Instructions:
SMALL-SIDED GAME – DEVELOPING THE FIRST TOUCH:
Mandatory 2 touches for all players including the ‘Perimeter Players’. One-touch play is permitted to score in the EndZone is receiving a pass from the Perimeter player between the mini-goals. Players must keep ball moving at all times – not allowed to stop the ball with the 1st touch; Emphasis is on players receiving into space / away from pressure and opponent with the 1st touch.
In the Diagram, Player (A) has received under pressure from an opponent; he has received with his first touch into space and passed to the Perimeter player; Player (B) has now spun to support and receive a one-touch pass from the Perimeter player in the EndZone.
Play is continuous.
Coaching Points:
- *ALL Previous Coaching Points implemented
- Must emphasise – anticipation, communication (verbal / non-verbal) and awareness
- Players should know beforehand to whom they are going to play the ball – scan the playing area