7 first touch drills kids can do at home.

A good first touch is the skill that makes everything else in football easier. When the ball sits where a player wants it, they have more time, more options and more confidence. The good news is that first touch is one of the easiest skills to improve at home, because it mostly comes down to repetition.

At Dynamic Football we believe football starts at home. A ball at your feet every day beats any single session. These seven drills need nothing more than a ball and a solid wall, and they work for beginners right through to experienced junior players.

Before you start

• Use a size that suits the player. Younger kids generally use a size 3 or 4 ball. A ball that is too big makes control harder.
• Use both feet. Do every drill on the weaker foot as well. It feels awkward at first, which is exactly why it matters.
• Short and often wins. Ten focused minutes most days does more than one long session a week.

1. Wall pass and stop

Stand two to three metres from a wall. Pass the ball against it with the inside of the foot, then stop it dead with the inside of the other foot as it comes back. Reset and repeat. The goal is a soft, cushioned touch that kills the ball, not a hard block that makes it bounce away.

Make it harder: step back to five metres and pass harder.

2. Wall pass, touch across, pass

Pass against the wall, but this time take your first touch across your body with the inside of the foot so the ball moves sideways, then pass again with the other foot. This teaches players to receive the ball into space instead of under their feet, which is how first touch is used in a real game.

3. Sole stops

Pass against the wall and stop the returning ball under the sole of your foot. Sole control is useful when a player wants to keep the ball close and change direction quickly. Alternate feet every rep.

4. Outside of the foot receive

Pass against the wall and receive with the outside of the foot, pushing the ball away at an angle. This is a great skill for getting away from pressure because the first touch takes the ball away from a defender.

5. Thigh and chest control

Throw the ball up gently and cushion it down with the thigh, then the chest, so it drops to your feet. Then control it on the ground with your next touch. Players who can control the ball in the air are far more comfortable when a long pass or a bouncing ball comes their way.

6. Juggling

Juggling builds feel for the ball, balance and coordination. Start with one bounce between each touch if needed, then work towards continuous touches. Track a personal best and try to beat it each week. Use both feet and the thighs.

7. Scan, then receive

This one adds the habit that separates good players from great ones. Before each pass comes back off the wall, look over your shoulder, then decide where your first touch will go. A parent or sibling can call out "left" or "right" as the ball comes back to make it more game-like.

How to build a routine

Pick three drills and do each for around three minutes, on both feet. Change the drills every week to keep it fresh. Most importantly, keep it fun. Players who enjoy practising keep practising, and confidence and enjoyment keep players in the game for life.

Want help with first touch?

First touch, ball mastery and passing are the foundations of our soccer training in Melbourne and junior football training. If you'd like a coach to look at your player's technique and build a plan around it, book a session with Dynamic Football.