1. The Critical First Touch
Effectively trapping the ball is arguably the most important skill a soccer player can have. The term "trapping" refers to the first contact a player makes with the ball in an effort to control it. It's common to hear shouts of "first touch" on the soccer field as a warning that a player does not have much time or space to control the ball. When a player traps the ball, it comes to a rest at the player's feet so he or she can then dribble, pass or shoot the ball.
2. There's a 50-50 Chance
A ball that is not in either team's possession is called a 50-50 ball. Trapping a 50-50 ball is significantly more difficult than trapping a teammate's pass because you likely have a player from the opposing team trying to shove you off the ball. To give yourself an advantage, keep your body in front of the opposing player, not just an arm or leg. 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. Fancy Footwork
The most common trap is with the foot. To trap 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. 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 one foot in front of you so you have enough room to pass or shoot it.
4. The Meaty Part of Your Thigh
Occasionally the ball comes toward you at an awkward height. Rather than running backward or bringing your knee to your chest in an effort to control the ball with your foot, use your thigh to drop the ball to the ground. The ball should hit the meaty part of your thigh. Avoid making contact with 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. No Better Than the Chest
It's difficult to drop the ball to your feet using your head in game play, so if you are bringing the ball down from the air, take a few steps to adjust your position and trap the ball with your chest. 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.
Effectively trapping the ball is arguably the most important skill a soccer player can have. The term "trapping" refers to the first contact a player makes with the ball in an effort to control it. It's common to hear shouts of "first touch" on the soccer field as a warning that a player does not have much time or space to control the ball. When a player traps the ball, it comes to a rest at the player's feet so he or she can then dribble, pass or shoot the ball.
2. There's a 50-50 Chance
A ball that is not in either team's possession is called a 50-50 ball. Trapping a 50-50 ball is significantly more difficult than trapping a teammate's pass because you likely have a player from the opposing team trying to shove you off the ball. To give yourself an advantage, keep your body in front of the opposing player, not just an arm or leg. 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. Fancy Footwork
The most common trap is with the foot. To trap 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. 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 one foot in front of you so you have enough room to pass or shoot it.
4. The Meaty Part of Your Thigh
Occasionally the ball comes toward you at an awkward height. Rather than running backward or bringing your knee to your chest in an effort to control the ball with your foot, use your thigh to drop the ball to the ground. The ball should hit the meaty part of your thigh. Avoid making contact with 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. No Better Than the Chest
It's difficult to drop the ball to your feet using your head in game play, so if you are bringing the ball down from the air, take a few steps to adjust your position and trap the ball with your chest. 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.
