24hr Coaching

Brief explanation and demonstration on Ball Control. Emphasizing the difference between "Cushion" and Wedge" control.

Coaches should encourage players to use their first touch on the ball economically and effectively. Players must understand that ball control is not a means in itself, but a means to an end. At the end of each control a player will have four options to act on:

Most often the player will control to pass the ball.
In the attacking third players will control to set up shots.
The player may control the ball to dribble.
The player may control to run with the ball.

With this is mind, the player should decide as the ball is in flight what they intend to do after controlling the ball, are they going to pass, shoot, dribble or run with the ball. The quality of the players first touch on the ball will often determine the quality of the action that follows.