Teaching Football Skills Control-Receiving Control-Receiving The aim of the game is simple: score goals. To score goals, your players need to develop both good shooting technique and a positive attitude toward taking shots whenever they have a good opportunity. Players enable themselves and develop good shooting technique and positive attitude by developing good control-receiving skills. Athlete Readiness The beginner player usually reacts to a ball by kicking it rather than trying to control it. If the player does attempt to control the ball, it tends to bounce off the foot or the leg and is usually recovered by another player. The intermediate player has the ability to get behind the flight of most balls that come within playing distance. The player successfully brings a rolling ball under control using the inside of the foot and makes a good attempt at controlling air balls using the chest. While control is good, the player will often lose composure and the ball when pressured by opponents. Teaching Control-Receiving In football, the first touch is the most important. The easiest way to receive a ball is with the inside of the foot. The player stands in a relaxed position with their eyes focused on the ball and adjusts their position to remain in the flight of the ball. The nonkicking foot is slightly in front of the other foot. The kicking foot meets the ball and is then immediately withdrawn on the moment of impact. This will generally push the ball away from the player’s body. 1. Use the inside of the foot to bring a ground ball under control. All the body weight should be on the supporting leg with the receiving foot raised slightly off the ground. Key Words • Open Up the Foot • Raise the Foot Relax and cushion the ball rather than offer resistance against the ball. The aim is to absorb any pace by meeting the ball with a cushioned touch. The ball is given as large an area to land. The chest, head, thigh or foot is withdrawn as contact is made. Key Words • Soft Foot • Cushion Teaching Cushioning the Ball 1. Player must stand lightly as the ball approaches. 2. Position him/herself in the ball’s line of travel. 3. Assess their options, then decide which part of the body they want to control the ball with. 4. Look directly at the ball. 5. Position their nonkicking foot ahead of the ball. 6. Use arms for balance. 7. Bring the striking foot back at the moment of impact. 50 Special Olympics Football Coaching Guide Created: February 2004