First touch separates good players from average ones.
A player with excellent first touch has time. They can see options, make decisions, and execute under pressure. A player with poor first touch is always rushed, always reacting, always behind the play.
These 12 drills develop first touch from basic control through to receiving under match pressure. Use them to create players who make the game look easy.
Understanding First Touch
Before drilling, understand what you are developing:
Technical Elements:
- Soft contact (cushioning the ball)
- Correct body part selection
- Direction of touch (where you want the ball)
- Weight of touch (distance from body)
Tactical Elements:
- Awareness before receiving
- Touch direction based on situation
- Creating space from defender
- Setting up the next action
The Progression:
- Control the ball (it stays close)
- Control with direction (it goes where you want)
- Control under pressure (same quality with opponent)
- Control to play forward (touch creates attacking opportunity)
Section 1: Foundation Control (Drills 1-4)
Build the technical base before adding complexity.
Drill 1: Wall Work Basics
Setup: Player 5 yards from wall. Ball.
Activity: Pass against wall, control return. Alternate feet, alternate surfaces.
Coaching Points:
- Soft contact (ball dies at feet)
- Different surfaces (inside, outside, sole, thigh)
- Control into space beside you
Progression: Increase pass power, one-touch return, move while receiving.
Drill 2: Partner Receiving
Setup: Two players 10 yards apart. One ball.
Activity: Pass to partner, partner controls and returns. Receiver must take touch to either side before returning.
Coaching Points:
- Open body position before ball arrives
- Touch across body
- Smooth transition to return pass
Progression: Increase distance, add direction instruction, bounce passes.
Drill 3: Control from Air
Setup: Server tosses ball. Receiver controls.
Activity: Control balls at different heights with different body parts: foot, thigh, chest.
Coaching Points:
- Watch ball onto body part
- Cushion on contact
- Ball should drop close to feet
Progression: Moving receiver, add pass after control, vary service.
Drill 4: Ground Control Circuit
Setup: Four cones in square. Server at each.
Activity: Receiver moves to each cone, receives pass, controls, returns. Continuous movement.
Coaching Points:
- Preparation before ball arrives
- Different angles of receiving
- Smooth transitions between cones
Progression: Increase speed, add touch direction requirements, multiple receivers.
Section 2: Directional Control (Drills 5-8)
Control with purpose, not just control.
Drill 5: Receive and Turn
Setup: Receiver has back to direction of travel. Server in front.
Activity: Receive, turn away from pressure (passive defender), play forward to target.
Coaching Points:
- Check shoulder before receiving
- Touch takes ball in turning direction
- Accelerate after turn
Progression: Active defender, multiple targets, time limit.
Drill 6: Open Body Receiving
Setup: Server, receiver, target player in line. Receiver in middle.
Activity: Receive from server with open body position, play forward to target without extra touch.
Coaching Points:
- Body position allows forward view
- Touch sets up forward pass
- One-touch play when possible
Progression: Add defender, vary angles, receiver chooses direction.
Drill 7: Receiving to Both Sides
Setup: Receiver between two target zones. Balls served from front.
Activity: Coach signals left or right. Receiver controls into that zone.
Coaching Points:
- Decision before ball arrives
- Touch takes ball into correct zone
- Quick adjustment of body
Progression: Random calls, add defenders, faster service.
Drill 8: First Touch to Space
Setup: Receiver in box. Multiple zones outside marked.
Activity: Coach serves ball and calls zone. First touch must take player into that zone.
Coaching Points:
- Touch weight matches distance to zone
- Preparation for specific direction
- Ball and player arrive in zone together
Progression: Add defender, limit zones, continuous movement.
Section 3: Control Under Pressure (Drills 9-12)
Game-realistic receiving that develops composure.
Drill 9: Passive Defender Control
Setup: Receiver, server, defender behind receiver.
Activity: Receive and escape defender (who applies pressure but does not tackle).
Coaching Points:
- Awareness of defender position
- Touch away from pressure
- Shielding when needed
Progression: Defender becomes active, add finishing after escape.
Drill 10: 3v1 Receiving Box
Setup: Three attackers around 10x10 box. One defender inside. One attacker in box.
Activity: Players on outside feed ball into middle player who receives under pressure and plays out.
Coaching Points:
- Creating space to receive
- First touch away from defender
- Quick release under pressure
Progression: Add second defender, limit touches, time how long ball stays central.
Drill 11: Match Situation Receiving
Setup: Midfielder receives from defender. Attacker to play to. Pressing player approaching.
Activity: Receive and decide: play forward to attacker, turn, or play back.
Coaching Points:
- Read the situation before receiving
- Make right decision based on pressure
- Quality of touch enables choice
Progression: Vary pressure intensity, add options, continuous play.
Drill 12: Full Game Receiving Challenge
Setup: Small-sided game with specific receiving condition.
Activity: Every touch must be away from nearest opponent. Failed touch = turnover.
Coaching Points:
- Constant awareness
- Touch direction becomes automatic
- Game intelligence developing
Progression: Remove condition, observe if habit formed.
Building First Touch Sessions
Dedicated first touch session:
0-10 mins: Foundation control (Drills 1-4) 10-22 mins: Directional control (Drills 5-8) 22-40 mins: Control under pressure (Drills 9-12) 40-55 mins: Game applying skills
Alternative: 10 minutes of first touch work every session.
Common First Touch Problems
Hard, bouncing touch: Cause: Foot too rigid. Solution: Emphasise cushioning, relaxed ankle.
Ball gets away: Cause: Touch too firm. Solution: Lighter contact, ball should die at feet.
Predictable touch direction: Cause: Habit. Solution: Drill 7 and 8 requiring different directions.
Panic under pressure: Cause: Insufficient practice. Solution: More time in Drills 9-12.
Age Progression
U7-U9: Drills 1-4. Build basic control ability.
U10-U12: Add Drills 5-8. Directional receiving with purpose.
U13-U16: Focus on Drills 9-12. Match pressure receiving.
Individual Practice
Encourage players to work on first touch independently:
- Wall work: 50 passes each foot, daily
- Ball drops: Throw up, control with different surfaces
- Moving control: Jog, bounce ball to self, control in stride
The best first touches come from thousands of repetitions.
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