Ball Traps

Category: Drills

Keeping possession of the ball is very important in the game of soccer. In order to do that, players must learn how to trap the ball. This drill, which can be used for all ages, provides plenty of repetition in order to learn various ball traps.

Ball Traps Soccer Diagram

Setup

  • Split players into two groups.
  • Have one group form a circle with each player having a ball. These are considered the servers. You could even use the center field circle which provides some running space.
  • The other group should stand within the circle without a ball. These are considered the receivers.

Instructions

  • Receivers should approach a server and receive a pass, trap the ball with the inside of the right foot, and then pass it back.
  • They should then move onto a different server. After 5-10 successful ball traps have been made, switch to a different type of ball trap.
  • Here is a helpful list to go by:
    • Inside Left/Right Foot
    • Outside Left/Right Foot
    • Left/Right Thigh
    • Chest
    • Head
  • Servers are allowed to use their hands to toss the ball in the air for thigh, chest, and head traps.
  • Once all ball traps have been made, players switch rolls. Receivers become servers, servers become receivers.

Coaching Tips

  • Instruct servers to make a decent pass or toss to receivers.
  • If receivers are not getting decent passes, they are not getting the necessary touches on the ball.
  • Receivers should keep their heads up when running around in the circle. They should also call out the server’s name before receiving a pass. This teaches them to communicate.
  • If you notice receivers are not trapping the ball correctly, stop the drill and show them how to perform a proper ball trap.

Variations

  • As players advance, servers can toss the ball in the air for foot traps as well. To make things more complicated, instruct receivers to do the following:
    • Trap the ball with the thigh and then the foot before returning a pass
    • Trap the ball with the chest, thigh, and then the foot before returning a pass
    • Trap the ball with the head, chest, thigh, and then the foot before returning a pass.
  • Instead of forming a circle, another alternative to this drill is that players can be paired up facing each other forming a straight line along the touchline. They can then move across the field doing the various ball traps.