1st touch - Why so Important?
- aaronptighe
- Oct 5
- 2 min read
The ball is fired across the 18-yard box from a cutting-in from the right wing, Mbeumo. Mason Mount is on the edge of the box, central to the goal. As the ball arrives at pace, waist height off the ground, Mount's body and chest are facing forward, angled between Mbeumo and the goal. Mount allows the ball to come across his body, raising his left foot to kill the pace instantly and cushion a 1st touch back across his body for a right-foot, placed side-foot volley into the far corner of the goal to score. What a clinical finish.
Watching the quite brilliant 1st-touch technique to simply create the opportunity to volley, reminded me of one of the key differences in players that stand out compared to others. In youth football, scouts are watching for a number of things, and 1st touch is at the top of that list. It's the ability for a player to move the ball as efficiently as possible to the next step — be that a pass, cross, or shot.
Great players can receive a ball on any angle, height, speed, or trajectory and with ease control it to where they want it to go — but how?
They think ahead, before the ball arrives. They are aware of where the ball needs to go.
They create additional split seconds of time through body shape and feet placement to receive the ball.
They decide before the ball arrives what surface of the body or foot to control with.
They visualise where the touch will take the ball.
They execute the touch with minimal thought, as they have practiced receiving the ball with that part of the body/foot so many times — it's a natural, instinctive control.
They have learned from the time-after-time mistakes to hone their skill.
They continually practice. practice, practice.
Practice:
There is nothing better than practicing with a ball against a wall. Work on passing, driving, or throwing the ball against the wall and using all of the various techniques to control it as quickly and accurately as possible before repeating. At One2Pro, these 1st-touch techniques form the critical base of the 92 skills to practice.
One2Pro:
The use of video with a coach review is fantastic for honing skills and performance. In our One2Pro online coaching app, "Techniques of the Stars" are broken down step-by-step for players to follow and practice.
Download and subscribe to work with your One2Pro coach on all 92 skills.
Be the One!
Aaron Tighe
Founder, One2Pro
*What It Takes. Available on major retailers in hardcopy, eBook and audio.
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