Practice 2: The common touch

WHY USE IT

This practice puts a different context on the first touch. Players control the ball to give themselves a chance to dribble.

SET UP

Use a square area relevant in size for the number of players, their age and ability. More than half of the players are positioned outside of the area, with the remaining players situated inside with a ball each. Gates are positioned around the sides of the area, which the players on the outside stand behind.

how to play

The players inside the area dribble towards a player on the outside and pass to them through the gate they are stood behind. On receiving the ball, that player takes a touch to one side of their gate and then enters the area with the ball. The player who passed the ball replaces them on the outside of the area. The practice continues in this pattern.

coaching points

As before, players should be ready to react to the pass and adjust their position if needed. Their first touch needs to be to the side and just in front of them, but this time it should allow them to dribble into the area.