Trapping and Controlling the ball Facing Defender

Chris Johnson 78,688 Views Rating 4.13 (23 Reviews)

This soccer ball control drill aims to work on trapping and control with the foot, thigh, and chest while facing an opponent.

Soccer Drill Diagram: Trapping and Controlling the ball Facing Defender

Soccer Drill Trapping Facing Defender, Soccer Control Drills

This soccer ball control drill aims to work on trapping and control with the foot, thigh, and chest while facing an opponent.
Drill Setup

  1. Create an area of approximately 20X30 yards.
  2. Divide the team into groups of three players.
  3. Start with one player (player 1) on one side of the grid.
  4. The other two players (player 2 and 3) start on the opposite side of the area.
  5. Player 1 starts with the ball.
Drill Instructions

  1. Player 1 will serve the ball into player 2. Player 1 follows the pass and defends player 2.
  2. Player 2 should move towards the service, have a quality controlling touch away from the pressure from player 1, and attack the sideline player 1 started.
  3. Player 2 can pass to player 3, creating a 2v1.
  4. To score, stop the ball on the sideline the two players are attacking.
  5. The server should serve the balls to the chest, thigh, and feet.
Drill Variations

  • Place a 2nd defender about 5-7 yards behind player 2 and 3 to pressure the attackers' backside.
  • This defender should make a recovery run to get goal-side of the ball.
Drill Coaching Points

  • Quick control and move forward.
  • The first touch is into space away from the advancing player.
  • Controlling player must decide to pass or dribble
  • Proper technique when controlling the ball (see links below)

Top Rated Soccer Drills


7v7 Scrimmage

Chris Johnson 160,264 Views Rating 4.4 (5 Reviews)
It's always good to finishing a soccer training session with a 7 vs. 7 scrimmage to focus on team play.

Sharks and Minnows

Chris Johnson 573,674 Views Rating 4.3 (166 Reviews)
The Sharks and Minnows dribbling drill focuses on using the body to protect the ball by placing their body in between the ball and the defender.

1v1 Diamond Shooting Drill

Chris Johnson 493,616 Views Rating 4.3 (10 Reviews)
Spice up your shooting combination drill by finishing with a 1v1 to goal. Add a fun little twist, and the kids love it.

Pirates of the Pugg

John Bychok 720,676 Views Rating 4.27 (384 Reviews)
This drill is an excellent drill for younger players ages 8-11 and focuses on dribbling technique in traffic which requires vision and awareness.

Alien Tag Soccer Game

Chris Johnson 342,924 Views Rating 4.27 (11 Reviews)
Alien tag is a great Under 4 soccer game for 3, 4, 5, and 6 year-olds. Your kids will like flying around and crashing in their spaceship.

4v4 Soccer to a Small Gate

Chris Johnson 249,280 Views Rating 4.24 (75 Reviews)
4v4 in soccer is the smallest game focusing on all aspects of a full sided soccer match.

The Flag Game - Dribbling in Tight Spaces

Chris Johnson 199,249 Views Rating 4.23 (48 Reviews)
The flat game soccer drill is designed to focus on young soccer players learning to dribble in tight spaces.

Four Corners Passing Game

Chris Johnson 801,757 Views Rating 4.2 (284 Reviews)
The Four Corners Soccer Passing Game is a great soccer passing drill to focus on changing the point of the attack, and timing of runs and passes.

1v1 Competition

Chris Johnson 341,532 Views Rating 4.2 (147 Reviews)
This drill is great to focus on 1v1 play. It is flexible and can be used to work on the offensive side or the defensive side.

Ouch!

Chris Johnson 691,572 Views Rating 4.18 (268 Reviews)
A FUN soccer drill for younger players (U6, U7, and U8) to introduce dribbling, looking up and correctly striking the ball at a target.