— TRAINING SESSION

Technical session — first touch and passing

Stretch the Game · 60 minutes · 4 drills · Generated 21 May 2026

60-minute technical session. Builds the fundamentals every outfield player needs. Suitable for ages 10 and up.

4DRILLS

60MINUTES

15AVG / DRILL

1 Wall pass — first touch out of feet

0 min Difficulty: Beginner Age: any Court: Half

Player passes against a wall (or partner), reads the rebound, takes a directional first touch into space, and strikes a second pass. Foundational technique for tight-space football.

Coaching points

• Cushion the ball with the inside of the foot — give with the contact
• First touch goes AWAY from where pressure would come
• Look up between touches — scan the field
• Second pass is decisive: same foot, no reset
• Alternate feet on each rep

2 Aerial first touch — bring it down clean

0 min Difficulty: Intermediate Age: u12 Court: Half

Player throws or kicks a ball into the air to a partner. Partner controls the ball dead with chest, thigh, or laces and plays the next pass. The drill that separates the technician from the hoofer.

Coaching points

• Read the flight early — get under the ball
• Cushion with the receiving surface (chest, thigh, or laces)
• "Give" with the body — withdraw the surface as contact happens
• Touch lands within a yard of where you intend
• Keep eyes on the ball until controlled

3 Rondo 4v2 in a 12-yard box

0 min Difficulty: Intermediate Age: u14 Court: Half

Step up from the 4v1: two defenders force quicker decisions and sharper body positioning. The classic Barcelona warm-up. Develops scanning, weight of pass, and composure under pressure.

Coaching points

• Always one outlet pass and one switch option visible before you receive
• First touch out of your feet — never into them
• Disguise the pass: look one way, play the other
• Defenders work as a pair, one presses, one covers the switch
• Count consecutive passes — beat your record

4 Pressure-touch grid

0 min Difficulty: Intermediate Age: u14 Court: Half

Four-player grid where the receiver must take a directional first touch under pressure from a chaser. Develops touch quality at speed — the most under-coached skill in grassroots football.

Coaching points

• Receive on the move — never with a still planted foot
• First touch direction is decided BEFORE the ball arrives
• Big enough touch to escape pressure, small enough to control
• Use both feet — alternate which foot receives
• Chaser teaches the receiver — they're not the enemy