Dimitar Berbatov is a player described as having "soft feet," referring to his great technical ability to control the ball with his first touch. Here are a series of exercises to help players work on the ability to control the ball with their first touch in a fun atmosphere.
Warm Up - Two-touch Windows
Organization
Two players with 1 ball between them
Square of cones, 5 yds x 5 yds
Description of Exercise
Player 2 passes ball to player 3 .
3 cannot pass ball through window where he received the ball. Each player has only two
touches.
Purpose of Exercise
Not being able to pass the ball through the same window forces player to prepare ball on fi rst
touch to another window.
Sequential Passing
Organization
Nine players in each half of the fi eld.
Players have sequential numbers.
Description of Exercise
Ball must be passed sequentially. Players are allowed only two touches.
First touch to receive, second touch to pass.
Purpose of Exercise
Limiting touches forces players to receive ball and prepare for next pass.
More Sequential Passing
Organization
Nine players against four.
Description of Exercise
Offensive players (circles on the diagram) try to connect six consecutive passes to score a goal.
Players MUST take two touches.
If the ball goes out of play or is intercepted by a defensive player (triangles on the diagram), the ball is
switched to the opposite half of the field and the waiting defender.
Players #7, 5, 3, and 2 become attackers, and four opposing players (circles) come over
the line to defend. (see bottom diagram)
Purpose of Exercise
Continue to force players to take good preparation touches in game-like
conditions.