First Touch in the Square | Soccer Coaching Drill

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Activity Flow:
1. The players dribble with ball in the large field
2. Players without ball also run in the large field
3. The players without ball signal to players with ball that they are ready to receive a ball and run towards a square
4. The players passes into the square
5. The receiving player takes the ball with one touch out of the square
6. All Players have to orientate themselves for the whole time
Organisation:
1. What do I need to set up?
20 cones in two different colours (suggestion is a different colour for the squares in the playing area - You need 4 cones for one square (here: 4 squares))
Enough balls in the field and the rest next to the coach
2. Mark an approx. 25x25m large field
3. Inside the marked area 6 squares with 2m side length
4. Round about one half of the players have a ball
Coaching Points:
1. Ball control
Awareness / Orientation - Before receiving the ball check over your shoulder to see where the space, opponents and your teammates are on the field
Direction of first touch - Keep the ball moving, ball should always be in motion, first touch in direction of next action, away from opponent or into space
2. Use the inside foot when controlling the ball, with the first touch the ball is taken into your direction of movement with speed
3. Passing
Speed of the Pass - Quickly to allow team mate to turn, slowly to allow team mate to protect the ball or play one touch)
Accuracy of the Pass - In front if no opponent near, behind if opponent close
Timing - When to release the ball to best help team mate
4. Communication is key to generate the perfect flow of the exercise
Variations:
1. Easier - Make the playing field bigger
2. Easier - When you have a high number of players, set up two playing areas - a lot easier when there are only 8 players in one field than 16
3. Harder - More players in a smaller area (technical task is the same but it's a lot harder to find the right moment and space for your action)