Soccer Ball Control Guide
When we think of great player we often think of players with moves that make defenders fall over or perhaps a player who can bend a free kick into the upper ninety. Most of us don’t understand just how important ball control is. We usually learn it at a young age, and then forget about it when we learn flashy moves, and how to dribble fast.
Ball control is the most important skill in soccer. Without it, little could be done. No one would be able to dribble, set up a shot or pass, or beat opposing players. Ball control is the skill that you will use the most.
Guide Content
When people talk about Messi, ball control is brought into the conversation mainly because people are amazed: Messi doesn’t use very many fancy moves like a C. Ronaldo type player. He just cuts and accelerates and even though he often is crowded by 2,3, or even 4 or more defenders he always seems to emerge with the ball.
This is ball control at its finest, and it really shows what it can do. When you start to practice and improve ball control, you will find that you want to do moves less and less. Moves can help you get past defenders sometimes, but I and many players realize this once they start training ball control: “moves only slow you down”. I find that while I use still use moves, I don’t as much because I can use my tight ball control to easily beat defenders.
Ball control is also closely related to first touch, a very important skill that I’m sure you hear a lot about. Having ball control translates easily into having this “touch of magic” and it translates well into other skills too.
The ball control skill of great players is stunning . The only way to reach the level of greats like Messi is to practice, practice, practice. Learn the proper technique and your training will go much smoother. You will gain amazing control of the ball quicker than if you are doing the technique wrong. Learn proper technique using this guide.
Ball control is a very simple skill. The only thing to it is mastering the four types of soccer touches. You will learn them on the next page of this guide. Next, you will find ball control tips that are easy to follow, and will greatly enhance your control. Finally, I provide you with soccer ball control drills so you can put your newfound knowledge to the test.
Below are all the articles on ball control. I recommend looking at them in order, but you can also skip around to what interests you.
1. The Four Soccer Touches
Ball control is made up of 4 simple touches. You need to learn and master these touches before moving on to anything else. Not only do these touches make up ball control, they make up dribbling too. You must know them.
2. Receiving the Ball
Control means nothing if you don’t know how to receive the ball. This article will teach you how to receive the ball using all the touches, and how to receive under pressure.
Read Receiving the Ball in Soccer
3. Soccer Ball Control Tips
Learn tips to control the ball well. You can then apply these tips to your training, and in games.
4. Soccer Ball Control Drills
Ball control is all about repetition. Use these ball control drills consistently to develop amazing ball control skills.
Read Soccer Ball Control Drills
After ball control: Learn to dribble with our soccer dribbling guide.
