| Receiving the ball (also commonly referred to as | | | | then traps the ball--which has now practically stopped |
| "trapping the ball"). In this article, the term receiving | | | | near his or her foot. Note: It is very difficult to |
| and trapping will be used interchangeably. This is one | | | | receive and control the ball while running and so |
| of the most elementary skills necessary in control ball | | | | trapping while running is only recommended for |
| soccer, yet it is not used effectively enough in | | | | experienced players: See footnote1. |
| competitive games in much of North American | | | | To be legal, a player must have control of the ball in |
| Soccer, especially with young players. The reason is | | | | order to screen it from an opponent; therefore, once |
| simple enough to observe. There is a fear of losing | | | | the player successfully controls the ball, he or she |
| the ball to a nearby opponent: The ball may | | | | immediately turns his or her body to place it between |
| potentially end up between the receiver and the | | | | the ball and the opponent. The body can also be |
| opponent-possibly causing a receiving error. Losing | | | | arched backwards (towards the opponent) to further |
| the ball to the opponent in this manner normally | | | | protect the ball as long as the receiver is not |
| results in embarrassment or chastisement from the | | | | aggressively contacting the opponent. In this manner, |
| coach. The end result is that players "one touch" the | | | | the opponent will be out of reach of the ball and will |
| ball much more frequently then is necessary and | | | | be behind the receiver who must now dribble the ball |
| consequently produce a reduced amount ball control | | | | away from the opponent. If the opponent goes to |
| by the team in general. It must always be | | | | the dribbler's right, the dribbler rotates himself or |
| remembered that ball control is the objective in | | | | herself counterclockwise along with the ball, thus the |
| modern soccer. | | | | ball screening is continued. The opposite move is |
| How then can the player apply this receiving skill | | | | applied if the opponent goes to the dribbler's left. |
| more frequently in games to control the ball? With a | | | | With possession of the ball, the dribbler must move |
| little proper training, practice and encouragement, a | | | | into open space. Now, if the dribbler cannot move |
| player can learn to control the ball to become a more | | | | forwards with the ball (in the direction of the |
| valuable asset to the team as the season progresses. | | | | opponent's goal), the option is to either move across |
| A team that does not practice ball control is confined | | | | the field or backwards towards his or her own goal. |
| to playing low-level soccer and the players will always | | | | Note: Players must be instructed that going forward |
| be restricted to playing a type of soccer known as | | | | is not always practical or safe and moving in another |
| kickball. Their future in this sport is limited when | | | | direction is perfectly sound as long as he or she |
| competing against players that can effectively | | | | maintains control of the ball and moves away into |
| receive and control the ball in competitive situations. | | | | new unoccupied field locations. In doing so, the next |
| Players that master this technique however, develop | | | | move is to either pass the ball to a nearby open |
| self-confidence and often a passion to continue in this | | | | player or to turn while shielding with the ball. The |
| sport. | | | | latter tactic is more advanced and beyond the scope |
| A method exists that makes receiving and controlling | | | | of this article. |
| the ball relatively easy, yet it is infrequently used in | | | | For more advanced players, the same technique can |
| non-professional soccer (and sometimes not enough | | | | be performed with other receiving methods, such as |
| in professional soccer) but it is always used | | | | collecting the ball with different parts of the foot, |
| effectively in basketball. This controlling technique is | | | | parts of the leg, the body and head traps. But for |
| known as shielding in soccer. Applying two moves, | | | | the introduction of this technique (as mentioned |
| one following the other, makes it: These moves are | | | | above), the inside-of-the-foot method works best. |
| called trapping and shielding or receiving and shielding. | | | | Once the players have grasped the technique, it will |
| The main type of receiving taught in practice is with | | | | be expected that they will employ it first in |
| the inside-of-the-foot--for ground balls. | | | | scrimmage games then in actual competition. Note: |
| There are, of course, many other parts of the body | | | | The coach is reminded to encourage receiving and |
| that are used for trapping when the | | | | shielding under the pressure of actual games. Allowing |
| inside-of-the-foot is just not practical, but this foot | | | | the players to experiment with this technique, while |
| location method is probably the easiest receiving | | | | making errors, is not to be discouraged. |
| method to master and so it is best mated with | | | | There are various drills that efficiently teach receiving |
| subsequent shielding moves. The inside-of-the-foot is | | | | and shielding, both elementary and more advanced. |
| a useful receiving method for teaching the | | | | The basic techniques are simple and effective and |
| combination of capturing the ball and shielding it from | | | | most drill techniques are further incorporated with |
| a nearby opponent. Once a player is confident with | | | | teaching the receiver to 1. Move to the moving ball, |
| this type of trap used in conjunction with shielding, | | | | i.e., a player must never wait for it to come to him or |
| other types of traps can replace the | | | | her. See footnote 2. 2. Trap the ball. 3. Shield the ball. |
| inside-of-the-foot trap as necessary. | | | | 4. Move to a position of advantage on the field. |
| Good soccer players control the ball even when | | | | These semi-advanced techniques are all performed |
| under the pressure of an opponent. In Practice, | | | | with an opponent applying various degrees of |
| receiving the ball is a relatively easy task to complete | | | | pressure, and of course receiving may employ other |
| correctly when the approaching ball is slowly rolling on | | | | parts of the body for initially contacting and receiving |
| the ground towards the receiving player. This is the | | | | the ball. These drills may be found in books by the |
| general approach taken when teaching this technique. | | | | author [ |
| However, in actual game situations, the conditions are | | | | Footnotes: |
| different. Most of the time there is an opponent in | | | | 1. A word must be said here about the level of skills |
| the vicinity of a player about to receive a loose ball | | | | in a soccer player's career. The information described |
| or pass. Even if the ball is slowly rolling towards the | | | | above is recommended for the early to mid stages |
| receiver in game conditions, it is still a difficult task to | | | | of soccer players' training. Only the most experienced |
| trap the ball, control it and move out into a position | | | | soccer players should attempt trapping the ball while |
| of advantage--when there is an opponent bearing | | | | on the run. |
| down on the receiver. Making matters worse, the ball | | | | Also, the ideal player's performance would be to |
| may be coming in fast, high and possibly from a | | | | have an "escape" plan before receiving the ball, i.e., |
| great distance. No matter how the ball approaches, a | | | | plan to seek out the best open space to dribble into |
| good soccer player has developed the ability to | | | | upon gaining control of the ball. Young players often |
| receive and control the ball. How is this taught to | | | | begin to think of their next move only after receiving |
| players without this skill? | | | | the ball and should be reminded often to think ahead |
| Trapping and shielding is a combination technique | | | | before receiving it. |
| accomplished by instructing players on shielding the | | | | 2. At the highest level of play, professional players |
| ball after placing it under control near the feet. The | | | | are often seen standing waiting for the ball to come |
| shielding is a tandem technique that follows | | | | to them. This is not recommended for young players |
| immediately after the receiving player approaches the | | | | to emulate. It is always best to meet the oncoming |
| incoming ball, stops an instant before receiving it, and | | | | ball. |