1. Stay in Control
Settling the ball, also called trapping, is arguably the most important skill a soccer player can have. It's important to maintain control of the ball as you're receiving a pass or bringing the ball down from the air or you'll risk losing possession to the opposing team. When you settle the soccer ball, you want it to drop down to your feet so you can then pass, dribble or shoot the ball.
2. Win It in the Air
A ball that's not in either team's possession is called a 50-50 ball. Settling a 50-50 ball is significantly more difficult than settling a teammate's pass because you likely have a player from the opposing team trying to shove you off the ball. Winning 50-50 balls is critical when you're playing in the 18-yard box because you either create a scoring opportunity for your team or take an opportunity away from your opponent. The team that settles the most 50-50 balls will probably win the game. To give yourself an advantage, keep your body in front of the opposing player. Run toward the ball rather than waiting for it to come to you, but be careful not to run under a ball that's in the air.
3. At Ground Level
To settle the ball with your foot, make contact with the inside of your shoe, not with your laces or toe. When you first make contact with the ball, relax your foot slightly so it cradles the ball. Imagine you are attempting to catch an egg with your cleat. A ball bouncing off a stiff foot has the same result of bouncing off a brick wall. Ideally, the ball should fall 6-inches to 1 foot in front of you so you have enough room to pass or shoot it.
4. Thigh High
Use your thigh to settle a ball that's too high to bring down with your foot. The ball should make contact with the meaty part of your thigh. Avoid letting it hit your knee or hip. Keep your knee pointing at an angle toward the ground so the ball rolls forward rather than bouncing up at your face. Again, you should attempt to cradle the ball instead of just letting it hit you.
5. Your Greatest Surface Area
Your chest provides you with the largest surface for settling the ball. As the ball is coming at you, throw your shoulders back so you create a wide, flat spot for the ball to hit. Be sure to keep your hands down so the ball doesn't roll into them. Lean back slightly so the ball drops down to your feet rather than bouncing off you.
Settling the ball, also called trapping, is arguably the most important skill a soccer player can have. It's important to maintain control of the ball as you're receiving a pass or bringing the ball down from the air or you'll risk losing possession to the opposing team. When you settle the soccer ball, you want it to drop down to your feet so you can then pass, dribble or shoot the ball.
2. Win It in the Air
A ball that's not in either team's possession is called a 50-50 ball. Settling a 50-50 ball is significantly more difficult than settling a teammate's pass because you likely have a player from the opposing team trying to shove you off the ball. Winning 50-50 balls is critical when you're playing in the 18-yard box because you either create a scoring opportunity for your team or take an opportunity away from your opponent. The team that settles the most 50-50 balls will probably win the game. To give yourself an advantage, keep your body in front of the opposing player. Run toward the ball rather than waiting for it to come to you, but be careful not to run under a ball that's in the air.
3. At Ground Level
To settle the ball with your foot, make contact with the inside of your shoe, not with your laces or toe. When you first make contact with the ball, relax your foot slightly so it cradles the ball. Imagine you are attempting to catch an egg with your cleat. A ball bouncing off a stiff foot has the same result of bouncing off a brick wall. Ideally, the ball should fall 6-inches to 1 foot in front of you so you have enough room to pass or shoot it.
4. Thigh High
Use your thigh to settle a ball that's too high to bring down with your foot. The ball should make contact with the meaty part of your thigh. Avoid letting it hit your knee or hip. Keep your knee pointing at an angle toward the ground so the ball rolls forward rather than bouncing up at your face. Again, you should attempt to cradle the ball instead of just letting it hit you.
5. Your Greatest Surface Area
Your chest provides you with the largest surface for settling the ball. As the ball is coming at you, throw your shoulders back so you create a wide, flat spot for the ball to hit. Be sure to keep your hands down so the ball doesn't roll into them. Lean back slightly so the ball drops down to your feet rather than bouncing off you.
