Your First Touch -
http://soccerjason.wordpress.comSuch a common place phrase on almost every soccer training ground in the world, it has almost become cliche' - "focus on your first touch." I come across players and parents that may not fully understand what this actually means or why it is important to youth players in particular, so hopefully this little bit offers some insight and motivation to players to work smarter and more on their first touch.
The first touch is the touch a player takes every time they receive a ball. In the air, on the ground, off the short-hop and so on... with any part of the body. The first touch is often referred to as "the controlling" touch - but it's about more than control. In fact, most top level coaches (youth, college, pro, national team) will tell you that they can tell whether or not a player has ability merely by observing their first touch. (So, want to get past your first hurdle in showing a college coach you can play? FIRST TOUCH)
But the first touch is a lot more than controlling the ball. Now, if you cannot do that from every conceivable way a ball might come to you, you have a problem right there.... but beyond control, the first touch will allow you to play with pressure (tight spaces and defenders etc... limited time and space) or it will further put you under pressure (if you have a poor touch). This first touch can take you where you need to go to make the next move (like chess) and it shows a coach immediately that you are thinking well ahead of the immediate play and seeing the next three moves on the board let's say. This means, that player understands the game, has vision, and the skill to execute that.
I see most players make the following simple mistakes, and when done repeatedly these things show me that this player doesn't understand, doesn't work on this by themselves, and thus is not a truly high level player.
Simple Mistakes On First Touches
1. Not using the proper part of the body: You ever seen the kid that leaps to use a "flying" jump kick thing, instead of using their chest or head?
2. Not taking the touch to the right place: This is the player that actually wants to take a ball that should be settled to the ground and juggle it up to the air with a flick etc...
3. Killing the ball: Not keeping the ball moving and not "clearing" their feet with the first touch (This means taking the touch far enough to be able to step without stepping on the ball - how far that is varies, but generally, you don't want the ball dead at your feet).
4. Not moving their body with the ball: Here the player touches the ball... and then runs after it to catch up. They should have been moving with the ball, through the touch the whole time, not working in segments.
Now I could go on and on, but those are a few simple things all players can never be too good at. In fact, most players are not nearly good enough. Also keep in mind, whatever you think you do well in youth or high school wouldn't get you on the field in college at almost any level, and professionally - no way. So you have to stay humble and work on your game constantly. Be true to yourself about your weaknesses and make them better... and if you don't know where to start... start with you first touch.
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Topic: Your First Touch - Jason's Blog (Read 422 times)