13 Best First Touch Soccer Drills To Improve Ball Control

Mastering the first touch is one of the most essential skills for any soccer player, no matter their position or playing level. Whether you’re receiving a ball on the ground, from the air, or from different distances, your first touch determines your next move and makes the difference between keeping possession of the ball, or losing it.

A good first touch creates space and time for your next decision and a poor first touch can lead to immediate pressure from defenders. When you watch professional players, you’ll notice how their first touch always sets them up perfectly for their next pass, dribble, or shot on goal, and if they take a bad touch they will most likely waste their opportunity.

The best way to develop this skill is through consistent training in a team environment, experience from real games, and during your extra training using these drills that simulate real game scenarios. Having a good first touch is important, but it’s only effective if you develop the other fundamental skills of the game which include: soccer IQ, decision making, awareness, composure, first touch, passing, dribbling, shooting, and defending.

That is why in this blog post, I will cover the best first touch soccer drills to help you improve ball control, develop confidence controlling the ball with all parts of the foot, and improve your overall passing abilities on the soccer field. To perform the drills on this list in the most efficient way, it will be important to have some of the following training gear and accessories:

Rebounder – To have a training partner that doesn’t get tired (or have a real training partner)
Soccer balls – Have a few to spend less time shagging balls
Soccer ball bags – Easy way to carry your soccer balls
Soccer Cleats – Wear the right cleats based on your playing surface
Portable soccer goal – Important to work on scoring goals

Table of Contents

What are The Best First Touch Soccer Drills and Exercises?

If you’re looking for ways to improve your first touch during individual training use the following drills which can be down with with a wall, rebounder, or training partner. For each drill you can set a timer or count a certain amount of reps.

Wall Passing

For this first drill you will work on simple two touch passing, controlling with the inside of the foot passing with the inside of the same foot and varying it up between two and one touch passing. Focus on making the right contact with the ball every time, keeping it under control, and not letting it go anywhere.

Partner Passing

Although wall passing is great, you also want to do partner passing because it adds unpredictability and variation that you can’t get from a wall. Your partner can vary the pace, height, and angle of their passes, forcing you to adapt your first touch to different types of balls just like you would in a real game situation.

Juggling

For this next drill, which is also a skill in itself, you will work on keeping the ball in the air using different parts of your feet, thighs, chest, and head. Start with simple foot juggling and progress to using multiple body parts, playing with the heights, and even learning simple freestyle tricks to help you develop a better touch and more confidence.

If you have a wall you can also work on wall juggling or if you have a partner you can play different juggling variations. When juggling you can also use different sized balls to challenge your coordination and develop more precise ball control, as smaller balls require more focus and better technique.

Directional Touch with the Inside of the Foot + Pass (2 touches)

For this drill, set up a box, with four cones, or a gate, with two cones, either vertically or horizontally, and have a partner or a wall be about 5-10 yards away. Work on using the inside of your foot to control the ball as it arrives, helping you maintain possession and set up your next move, which is going to be a hard pass towards the wall with the inside of the opposite foot.

You can also change the drill by taking the ball across with the inside of your foot and hitting it with the outside of that same foot.

Directional Touch with the Outside of the Foot + Pass (2 touches)

For this drill, you can set up exactly the same as the drill above and the only difference here is that you will be using the outside of the foot to control the ball, take it across the gate, and then use the inside of that same foot to pass the ball.

Directional Touch with the Sole of the Foot + Pass (2 touches)

For this drill you will also set up exactly the same as you did for the past two drills except this time around you will be using the sole of your foot to trap and roll the the ball, before you make a firm pass on the ground to the wall or your partner

Check out to One Touch Passing with the Inside of the Foot

For these next drills we are now going to work on one touch passing, but like in a game, we’re going to add an agility movement before hand. You can set up any type of sprint out to a cone and perform a one touch pass with the inside of your foot to the wall or to your partner.

Check out to One Touch Passing with the Outside of the Foot

The set up for this next drill is going to be the same exact thing as above, except the one touch pass you make is now going to have to be done with the outside of your foot. This is going to force you to work on this skill known as the “trivela” which can be used as a way to pass, cross, or even shoot the ball.

One Touch Chip Pass

For this drill, you’ll practice chipping the ball over an imaginary defender or obstacle using just one touch when the ball comes to you from your partner or wall. Focus on getting under the ball with a firm but controlled touch, using the inside of your foot to create the loft needed to clear a defender and reach your target.

One Touch Volley Pass

Set yourself up about 8-10 yards from a wall or partner and volley the ball back and forth in one touch. This drill improves your ability to handle balls that come at speed or from the air, which is crucial when receiving crosses or long passes during games.

Receiving the ball from the air

For this exercise, have your partner throw or kick balls to you at various heights – some at chest level, others at head height, and some bouncing balls. Practice controlling each ball with your feet, chest, or thigh, setting you up for your next move, and without letting the ball go everywhere.

One Touch Turn and Play

Position yourself with your back to the wall or your partner, then receive the ball and use one touch to turn 180 degrees while immediately playing the ball forward. This drill develops the quick decision-making and body movement you need when receiving the ball with pressure from behind during real game situations.

Vitamins

This high-intensity drill involves rapid-fire passing between you and a partner or wall, after performing an agility focused exercises and then focusing on quick one and two-touch combinations. Keep the ball moving at pace for 30-60 seconds, working on sharp touches and immediate ball control that will improve your reaction time, coordination, and technique .

Final Thoughts

These 13 first touch soccer drills will transform your ball control from average to exceptional, giving you the confidence to receive any pass and turn it into an opportunity during real games. Remember to practice consistently with both feet, focus on quality touches over speed, and gradually increase the difficulty as your first touch improves.

The time you invest into these drills during your extra individual training will directly translate to better possession, more space creation, and improved decision-making on the soccer field.

FAQs

How to get a better first touch in soccer?

The best way to improve your first touch is through consistent practice using drills that simulate game situations, focusing on controlling the ball with different parts of your foot while maintaining possession. Practice regularly with both feet, work on receiving balls from various heights and angles, and always focus on setting yourself up for your next move rather than just stopping the ball.

What skills does first touch develop?

First touch training develops ball control, spatial awareness, and the ability to receive passes under pressure while maintaining possession. It also improves your decision-making speed, body positioning, and confidence when handling difficult balls, which directly translates to better performance during real games.