Teaching Football Skills Control-Receiving Coaches Tips for Control – Receiving – At-A-Glance Tips for Practice 1. Help lower ability players move into position and get behind the flight of the ball. Use gentle physical prompting when necessary. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Many players are too excited and caught up in the game to relax when the ball arrives. Coaching a player to slow down, relax and concentrate is as important as coaching the correct receiving technique. Have players receive the ball with different parts of their body - thigh, knee and chest. Players can work with a partner and toss the ball to each other. Let the ball hit the different parts of their body and drop to their feet. Emphasize the importance of the first touch. Tips for Competition 1. 2. 3. Give positive reinforcement to players that control the ball. Play a make-shift game, allowing players only two touches. Begin by giving players room to control the ball and then increase pressure from opponents. Special Olympics Football Coaching Guide Created: February 2004 57