10 Drills to Improve Your First Touch in Soccer

Mastering your first touch in soccer is essential for controlling the ball and maintaining possession under pressure. A refined first touch enables quick decisions, sets up your next move, and helps outmaneuver opponents. This article outlines ten effective drills to help you improve your touch and take your game to the next level.

1. Wall Pass and Control: Improve Soccer Rebound Skills

Objective: Enhance first touch and quick decision-making with wall drills.

• Stand about 6-10 feet away from a sturdy wall.
• Pass the ball against the wall using the inside of your foot, ensuring controlled power.
• As the ball rebounds, use your first touch to control it and set up the next pass.
• Alternate between your right and left foot to develop ambidexterity.

Pro Tips:

• Vary the pace of your passes to mimic game scenarios, focusing on controlling rebounds from faster passes.
• Use different parts of your foot, such as the inside, outside, and sole, to manage various types of rebounds effectively.
• Gradually increase your distance from the wall to practice controlling longer rebounds.

Advanced Variation:

• Incorporate movement by stepping side-to-side after each pass. This helps simulate game-like conditions where you need to reposition quickly.
• Add targets on the wall to aim for specific spots, improving both passing accuracy and control.

By consistently practicing this drill, you’ll enhance your ability to handle high-pressure situations on the field and maintain possession with confidence.

Objective: Improve touch and control from rebounds.

• Stand about 6-10 feet away from a wall.
• Pass the ball against the wall using the inside of your foot.
• Control the rebound with your first touch and prepare for the next pass.
• Alternate between your right and left foot.

Variations:

• Increase the pace of your passes to simulate game pressure.
• Use different parts of your foot (inside, outside, and sole) to control the ball.

2. Juggling with Focus: Enhance Ball Control and Coordination

Objective: Develop precise ball control, touch consistency, and coordination.

• Start by juggling the ball with your dominant foot, keeping touches light and controlled.
• Gradually alternate between your dominant and weaker foot to build balance and skill with both feet.
• Aim to keep the ball low and close to your body to simulate game-like scenarios where precise control is critical.

Pro Tips:

• Focus on consistency over power. Small, controlled touches are more beneficial than wild, high juggles.
• Practice juggling while moving slowly to develop control under dynamic conditions.
• Use visual focus on the ball’s lower half to maintain accuracy in your touches.

Advanced Variations:

• Incorporate other body parts, such as your thighs, chest, and head, to improve overall ball-handling versatility.
• Set progressive targets, like achieving 20 consecutive juggles, then 50, and so on.
• Add challenges like spinning 360 degrees or moving laterally while juggling to increase difficulty and control.

By integrating these juggling drills into your routine, you’ll not only improve your first touch but also build confidence and agility, making you a more versatile and reliable player on the field.

Objective: Enhance ball control and touch consistency.

• Start by juggling the ball with your dominant foot.
• Gradually alternate between your dominant and weaker foot.
• Aim to keep the ball low and close to your body.

Variations:

• Use other parts of your body, such as thighs and chest, to juggle.
• Set a target number of consecutive juggles and progressively increase it.

3. Cone Control Drill: Master Tight Space Ball Handling

Objective: Enhance precision, close ball control, and decision-making in tight spaces.

• Set up a line of cones spaced about 2 feet apart on a flat surface.
• Dribble the ball through the cones using light, controlled touches with both feet.
• Focus on keeping the ball close and maintaining smooth transitions around each cone.

Pro Tips:

• Keep your head up while dribbling to improve spatial awareness and simulate game scenarios.
• Use the inside, outside, and sole of your foot to navigate through the cones for versatility.
• Start at a slower pace to perfect your technique before increasing speed.

Advanced Variations:

• Use only your weaker foot to challenge your coordination and balance.
• Time yourself and aim to complete the drill faster without losing control.
• Introduce a “defender” (a partner or obstacle) to simulate pressure and decision-making during the drill.

By regularly practicing this cone control drill, you’ll develop better touch, agility, and confidence in tight spaces, making you more effective during high-pressure situations on the field.

Objective: Improve touch accuracy and ball movement in tight spaces.

• Set up a line of cones spaced about 2 feet apart.
• Dribble the ball through the cones using light touches.
• Focus on close control and keeping the ball within reach.

Variations:

• Use your weaker foot exclusively.
• Increase the speed of your dribbling while maintaining control.

4. Partner Passing Drill: Sharpen Passing and Receiving Skills

Objective: Develop precise control, timing, and communication during passing drills.

• Pair up with a teammate or friend on a flat playing surface.
• Pass the ball back and forth, focusing on controlling the ball with your first touch before returning it.
• Experiment with varying speeds, distances, and angles to simulate dynamic game conditions.

Pro Tips:

• Communicate with your partner to improve coordination and simulate in-game teamwork.
• Focus on keeping your passes accurate and your first touch light to maintain control.
• Use both feet to pass and receive the ball, strengthening your weaker foot for versatility.

Advanced Variations:

• Incorporate lofted passes to practice controlling balls that come from the air.
• Add a defender to create pressure and refine your decision-making skills.
• Challenge yourself with one-touch passes to enhance speed and precision under game-like scenarios.

Practicing partner passing drills regularly will not only sharpen your passing accuracy and first touch but also improve your ability to work effectively with teammates during matches.

Objective: Develop precise control under dynamic conditions.

• Pair up with a teammate or friend.
• Pass the ball to each other, focusing on controlling the ball with your first touch before returning it.
• Experiment with passes of varying speeds and angles.

Variations:

• Incorporate lofted passes to practice controlling balls in the air.
• Use one-touch passes to simulate faster game scenarios.

5. First Touch with a Rebounder: Build Quick Reaction Skills

Objective: Sharpen touch, reaction time, and adaptability under dynamic conditions.

• Set up a soccer rebounder on a flat surface, ensuring it is securely placed.
• Pass the ball into the rebounder with controlled power, aiming for different sections of the surface to vary the return angles.
• Use your first touch to control the ball, keeping it within reach and ready for your next move.
• Adjust your position quickly to react to unpredictable bounces and speeds.

Pro Tips:

• Focus on cushioning the ball with your first touch to maintain control and reduce unnecessary movement.
• Alternate between using the inside, outside, and sole of your foot for versatility.
• Stay light on your feet to reposition quickly for rebounds coming from unexpected angles.

Advanced Variations:

• Combine your first touch with a quick pass back into the rebounder to simulate game-like scenarios.
• Practice receiving the ball with your thighs or chest for a more comprehensive touch skill set.
• Introduce time challenges to enhance decision-making under pressure.

By practicing this drill regularly, you’ll improve your ability to handle high-pressure situations during matches, ensuring you remain composed and effective on the field.

Objective: Sharpen touch and quick reaction skills.

• Use a soccer rebounder to deliver unpredictable returns.
• Pass the ball into the rebounder and control the bounce.
• Adjust your position to handle different angles and speeds.

Variations:

• Combine control with a quick pass to simulate game-like conditions.
• Practice receiving the ball with your thighs or chest for added versatility.

6. 1v1 First Touch Drill: Develop Ball Control Under Pressure

Objective: Enhance touch and composure while dealing with defensive pressure.

• Pair up with a partner who will act as a defender, maintaining light pressure to simulate game situations.
• Receive passes from the defender or a neutral third party.
• Use your first touch to move the ball away from the defender, keeping it within your control and preparing for your next move.
• Focus on shielding the ball with your body and using quick directional changes to evade the defender.

Pro Tips:

• Stay aware of the defender’s position and adjust your touch to keep the ball out of their reach.
• Use both feet during the drill to build confidence and reduce predictability.
• Practice varying your first touch to set up passes, dribbles, or shots.

Advanced Variations:

• Increase the intensity of the defender’s pressure to better simulate match conditions.
• Practice turning with your first touch to change direction and escape tight situations.
• Introduce time constraints to enhance decision-making speed.

This drill improves your ability to handle pressure, maintain possession, and execute precise touches in competitive scenarios, making you a more confident and composed player on the field.

Objective: Improve touch under pressure.

• Pair up with a partner who will act as a defender.
• Receive passes while your partner applies light pressure.
• Use your first touch to move the ball away from the defender and maintain possession.

Variations:

• Increase the defender’s intensity to simulate real-game scenarios.
• Practice turning with your first touch to evade the defender.

7. Directional Touch Drill: Improve First Touch for Direction Changes

Objective: Refine your first touch to redirect the ball efficiently in tight situations.

• Set up two cones about 5 feet apart to represent directional targets.
• Pass the ball to yourself or have a partner deliver it from various angles.
• Use your first touch to redirect the ball toward one of the cones, alternating between left and right.
• Focus on keeping the ball close and controlled after redirection.

Pro Tips:

• Stay light on your feet to adjust your position for unpredictable passes.
• Experiment with different parts of your foot (inside, outside, and sole) to control the ball effectively.
• Keep your head up to simulate scanning the field during a match.

Advanced Variations:

• Add a time constraint to challenge your decision-making speed.
• Introduce a “pressure defender” to simulate in-game scenarios, forcing you to choose the best direction quickly.
• Practice transitioning immediately into a pass, shot, or dribble after the directional touch.

By incorporating this drill into your training, you’ll improve your ability to maintain possession and make quick decisions, ensuring you stay one step ahead of your opponents.

Objective: Refine touch for changing direction.

• Place two cones about 5 feet apart.
• Pass the ball to yourself or have a partner pass it to you.
• Use your first touch to redirect the ball toward one of the cones.
• Alternate between left and right directions.

Variations:

• Add a time limit to improve speed and decision-making.
• Practice using different parts of your foot to redirect the ball.

8. Shadow Play Touch Drill: Simulate Real Game Scenarios

Objective: Develop situational awareness and refine your first touch in game-like conditions.

• Visualize different match scenarios and practice controlling the ball as if under real game pressure.
• Move into different positions as you imagine receiving passes from various angles and speeds.
• Focus on using your first touch to set up your next move, whether it’s passing, shooting, or dribbling away from an imagined defender.

Pro Tips:

• Keep your head up while practicing to simulate scanning the field for teammates and opponents.
• Combine this drill with quick directional changes to mimic dynamic gameplay.
• Practice shielding the ball as part of your first touch to protect it from an imaginary defender.

Advanced Variations:

• Add cones or markers to create “zones” where you must direct the ball with your first touch.
• Integrate passing or shooting into the drill to create seamless transitions between your first touch and the next play.
• Time yourself to make quicker decisions and simulate real-match urgency.

By engaging in shadow play drills, you’ll enhance your ability to anticipate and react effectively during matches, ensuring your first touch sets the stage for confident and strategic gameplay.

Objective: Simulate game scenarios and improve situational awareness.

• Visualize game situations and practice controlling passes in different directions.
• Focus on your positioning and how your first touch sets up your next move.

Tips:

• Imagine a defender’s position and move the ball away from them.
• Combine shadow play with quick passing or shooting drills.

9. Bounce and Control Drill: Master Touch on High and Low Bounces

Objective: Improve your ability to control balls coming from varying heights and angles.

• Have a partner throw the ball to you at different heights and speeds.
• Use your thighs, chest, or feet to cushion and control the ball on your first touch.
• Focus on directing the ball into a manageable position for your next move, such as a pass, shot, or dribble.

Pro Tips:

• Stay relaxed and balanced to absorb the ball’s momentum, preventing it from bouncing away.
• Use soft, deliberate touches with the correct body part to keep the ball close.
• Practice maintaining eye contact with the ball as it approaches to ensure precise control.

Advanced Variations:

• Combine this drill with quick passes or shots immediately after controlling the ball.
• Practice receiving balls at unexpected angles by having your partner vary their throws.
• Add movement by positioning yourself to meet the ball rather than waiting for it to arrive.

By mastering this drill, you’ll be able to handle unpredictable passes and maintain possession under pressure, making you a more versatile and dependable player.

Objective: Enhance touch with balls coming from varying heights.

• Have a partner throw the ball to you from different heights.
• Use your thighs, chest, or feet to control the ball on the first touch.
• Ensure your touch keeps the ball within reach for your next move.

Variations:

• Combine this drill with a quick pass or shot after controlling the ball.
• Practice controlling high and low bounces for versatility.

10. Target Control Challenge: Boost Accuracy in Ball Control

Objective: Sharpen precision and control when directing passes or touches into specific areas.

• Set up small target zones using cones, markers, or even specific areas on a wall.
• Have a partner pass the ball to you, and use your first touch to guide the ball into the designated targets.
• Focus on maintaining a soft, controlled touch to ensure accuracy and preparation for your next move.

Pro Tips:

• Start with larger targets to build confidence and gradually reduce their size as your skills improve.
• Vary the distance and angle of incoming passes to simulate dynamic game scenarios.
• Stay balanced and position yourself appropriately to handle passes effectively.

Advanced Variations:

• Add a “defender” to increase pressure and make the drill more challenging.
• Incorporate moving targets or adjust target positions during the drill to test your adaptability.
• Combine the drill with a follow-up action, such as a quick pass, shot, or directional change, to create a more comprehensive training routine.

Practicing the Target Control Challenge regularly will enhance your ability to make precise first touches, maintain possession, and execute game-changing plays under pressure.

Objective: Improve precision in controlling passes.

• Set up small target areas using cones or markers.
• Have a partner pass the ball to you, and use your first touch to direct the ball into the target zones.
• Focus on accuracy and controlling the ball gently.

Variations:

• Reduce the size of the target areas for added difficulty.
• Increase the distance of the passes to challenge your touch.

Elevate Your Soccer Game with a Superior First Touch

A refined first touch is the key to unlocking your full potential as a soccer player. By mastering these ten drills, you’ll gain the confidence and control needed to excel under pressure, maintain possession, and execute game-changing plays. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player looking to sharpen your skills, consistent practice and dedication to these techniques will elevate your game. Remember, progress takes time, so stay focused and enjoy the journey of improvement. With every drill, you’re one step closer to dominating the field.

Additional Resources

• Top Soccer Drills to Enhance Your Ball Control
• Improving Decision-Making in Soccer: A Player’s Guide
• Mastering Ball Control: Drills for Beginners
• How to Improve Your Passing Accuracy in Soccer