First Touch

Rotation Aerial Control Zone

Control balls arriving out of the air

First Touch
Receiving

Control balls arriving out of the air. Set up the area, follow the steps and use the coaching points below.

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First Touch
Receiving
Technical Practice
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Full Squad
Minimal Equipment
Youth Friendly
Adult Suitable
Rotation

Age

Under 9 to Adults

Duration

14 min

Players

2-14

Area / pitch size

18 x 14 yards

Difficulty

Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced

Equipment

Balls, Cones

Coaching focus

Control balls arriving out of the air

Objective

  • -Control balls arriving out of the air
  • -Choose the right surface for the height of the ball
  • -Play out cleanly after the control

Setup

  1. 1A control zone with a serving line ten yards away in a 18 x 14 yards area.
  2. 2Number every station so players know exactly where they travel to next.
  3. 3A supply of balls at the serving line.

How to play

  1. 1Server throws or lofts the ball into the control zone.
  2. 2The receiver controls with thigh, chest or laces and sets the ball down.
  3. 3The receiver then plays a firm pass back to the next server.
  4. 4Play starts at station one and the ball works round the numbers in order.
  5. 5Every player must complete each role once before the round is scored.

Coaching points

  • -Get behind the flight early
  • -Relax the surface on contact
  • -Second touch is a purposeful pass
  • -Follow your pass — the movement is part of the practice

Progressions

  • +Reverse the rotation direction on the coach's call
  • +Raise the demand once the group is consistently successful

Regressions

  • -Hold roles for a full round before rotating
  • -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

  • -Rotate only the two hardest roles to give them extra reps
  • -Run the practice on the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

  • -Reaching for the ball instead of moving feet
  • -Stiff surface bouncing the ball away
  • -Staying in a favourite role and avoiding the harder one

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Age band
Under 9 to Adults
Players
2-14
Time
12 min
Area
20 x 16 yards
Kit
Balls, Cones
Focus
Technical Practice
First Touch
FREE

Tempo Aerial Control Zone

Control balls arriving out of the air

Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced
First TouchReceivingTechnical Practice