5 Tips on How to Control a Soccer Ball
One of the most important skills every soccer player must develop is the ability to control the ball properly. Good ball control leads to a good first touch, which gives you time and space to make a good decision, while a poor first touch can kill momentum, create unnecessary pressure, and even cause you to lose the ball.
No matter what position you play or what level you are currently at, improving your ball control will make every other aspect of your game easier, from passing and dribbling to shooting and decision-making. In this post, I’ll go over 5 tips for controlling a soccer ball to develop a cleaner, more reliable first touch and become a more effective and confident player.
If you’re interested in taking your training to the next level with a structured program, you can reach out to me or learn more here.
How do you control a soccer ball?
Controlling a soccer ball comes down to developing the right habits, body mechanics, and touch through consistent, focused training. It is one of the most fundamental skills, along with first touch, passing, dribbling, shooting, defending, awareness, decision-making, composure, and creativity. All of these skills, along with ball control, will also improve faster if you’re focused on improving the pillars of player development: talent, game IQ, mindset, athleticism, fitness, recovery, and discipline, and use the tips below consistently over a long period of time.
Cushion the Ball
One of the most important habits to develop when controlling the ball is learning to cushion it on impact rather than letting it bounce away. Cushioning the ball comes from your body’s ability to tense at the right time and with the right tension at the point of contact.
To cushion the ball, slightly withdraw, which means bring back the controlling surface at the moment of contact, whether that is your foot, thigh, or chest, while applying the right amount of fascial tension based on the speed of the ball, so that you take the sting out of the ball. This should allow you to bring it under control smoothly rather than letting it ricochet off you.
Keep the Ball Close to Your Body
Good ball control should allow you to keep the ball within playing distance of your body, because a heavy touch allows defenders to take the ball away. Whether you are receiving the ball from a short pass, a long ball, or a cross, always aim to keep the ball close, even if you take a directional touch towards space.
Stay Relaxed and Balanced
Tension is one of the biggest enemies of a good first touch, because when your body is stiff and uncoordinated, the ball tends to bounce off you more unpredictably. Focus on staying relaxed through your whole body, keeping your knees slightly bent, your arms out for balance, and your weight evenly distributed so that you can adjust to the ball from any angle, height, or speed and still bring it under control cleanly and confidently.
Use Different Parts of Your Body
Being able to control the ball with different parts of your body is what separates players who can only handle easy passes from players who can bring down any ball in any situation. In a real game, the ball will not always come to you at a comfortable height or from a predictable direction.
This is why it is so important to practice controlling the ball with the inside and outside of your foot, your sole, your instep, your thigh, your chest, and even your head, because the more surfaces you are comfortable using, the more options you will have when the ball arrives under pressure in a real match.
Keep Your Head Up
Keeping your head up while controlling the ball is an important habit to develop. This doesn’t mean you can’t look down and keep track of the ball, but you do want to keep your eyes up constantly to find options and make faster decisions.
Practice scanning before the ball arrives so that by the time it reaches you, you already know what you are going to do next. This combination of a clean first touch and head-up awareness is what makes a player look composed and in control, even under intense pressure.
Final Thoughts
Improving your ball control comes down to consistently working on the five habits above and spending as much time as possible with the ball in game-like situations. A clean first touch gives you time, space, and confidence, and when you combine it with a relaxed body, the ability to use different surfaces, and a head-up awareness, you become a much harder player to press and can make bigger impacts.
Remember that good ball control will make everything else in the game much easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to stay consistent with mindset training in soccer?
The best way to stay consistent with mindset training in soccer is to use simple habits like journaling, visualization, and positive self-talk regularly. Players can also use tools such as a soccer training journal, a performance tracker, a mental training book, and other mental training tools to help structure, make more consistent, and make more measurable their mindset.
What gear and equipment do I need to improve my soccer skills?
The best thing about soccer is that you don’t need much equipment or accessories to start playing and improving. All you really need is a soccer ball, but the more serious you want to play, the more gear you will need, such as soccer cleats, shin guards, grip socks, shorts, and shirts, and soccer equipment, such as cones, rebounders, ball pumps, soccer bags, etc.
How do I improve my soccer skills?
To improve your soccer skills, focus on playing the game and its variations as much as possible while dedicating time to mastering fundamental skills such as ball control, passing, shooting, dribbling, and defending. Combine regular team training with solo soccer drills, small-sided games, and learning from the feedback of coaches, teammates, and professional matches to speed up your progress, and follow this guide to have a more comprehensive plan.
