Teaching Football Skills Control-Receiving Receiving with the Thigh Player is balanced and stays in line with the flight of the ball. The player raises his thigh to a 90-degree angle with the ball. As the ball makes contact with the thigh, the knee drops toward the ground to create the cushioning effect. Receiving with the Chest In receiving the ball with the chest, the player is also inline with the flight of the ball. Using the arms for balance, the player bends backward to get his chest underneath the ball. As the ball contacts the chest, the knees bend slightly to absorb the momentum of the ball, cushioning the ball down to his feet. Here the athlete’s chest is too far forward and does not create a desired cushion for the ball. Work on getting the player to not stick his chest out but, instead, to arch his back. The athlete needs to bend backward more from the waist. Faults & Fixes Chart Error Ball bounces away after receiving it. Ball goes under foot. Correction Let the ball come and just as it is received, pull foot back slightly. Watch ball all the way to foot. 1. Drill/Test Reference Roll or toss ball to player slowly at first. 2. Increase ball speed until player is comfortable. Let the ball hit foot. 52 Special Olympics Football Coaching Guide Created: February 2004