Jumping while taking your 1st touch [advanced soccer skill]

Jumping while taking your 1st touch is so much more than heading or chesting the ball. Remember, we are in the series of 8 ways to improve overall 1^st touch.  That doesn’t mean it has to be a 1^st touch trap. It can also be a1^st touch pass or 1-touch finish. I will be picky and say that the certain players who just kick the ball far and away are not included on this topic. If it’s not an intentional pass then we will not be counting that type of 1^st touch skill.

 Controlling the ball while jumping to make the play

Controlling the ball while having to jump to make the play is something you probably haven’t seen too much. The reason is because the players are not good at it. 

Think about having to control a ball in the game and unless you leave your feet you won’t make the play. Most players have to react with instincts in a game to figure things out.  If you are trained beforehand you’re going to perform at a more consistent & higher level.

Aerial ball control is one of the most fun skills to command but not many players are good at it. This is why it's considered a next level skill.Click To Tweet

Jumping while taking your 1st touch [Different Ways]

Let me quick give you a few examples of how, why and when a player would need this.  Jumping while taking your first touch is only something you would do when you have to.  If you can keep your feet planted to control the ball great, but there will be times you have to adjust.  

Times to jump while taking your first touch: 

Headers, chest traps and even balls coming at your knee where you have to jump to control it with your foot. 

Defenders, mids and forwards all will benefit by learning this movement. 

TRAPPING: It happens all the time in games where a player has to jump up to control the ball with their chest, thigh or foot. If you can’t do this you’re limited in your overall game. 

Even the Best Youth Soccer Players at ANY AGE will struggle at jumping while taking your 1st touch. If you practice of course you’ll improve. 

PASSING & SHOOTING: One thing that is always fun for me as a trainer is to assess the players on their passing skills while a high ball comes at their hips & they have to adjust by jumping to volley the ball with the inside of the foot.

Another skill especially difficult for females who get more concussions is having to head the ball while jumping. The main issue you will see (80% of HS female soccer players) is they jump too late and end up connecting with the ball as they jump, instead of heading it at the highest point of the jump.

DEFENDING: Clearing a ball, heading, blocking a cross, having to jump to chest a ball.

Just spend 5 minutes watching a pro game or college game and you will see these soccer movements where the players have to jump to perform a certain skill or play on the ball or opponent.

 Take the ‘Volley Jump Test’ ©

I encourage you to try this with you kids, parents or players! Go to a field and use the goal or even a wall at a school.

How: Have a partner toss the ball to you around your hip so that you have to jump up and volley the ball with the inside of your foot. See if you can connect with the ball while you are in mid-air.

Why: Players love it because it’s a new fun challenge that all will probably struggle with at first so it’s a level playing field. 🙂

The feedback I get from the players is it’s hard and feels weird at first. Players admit they have never been taught this and they understand that is the main reason it’s difficult. I can promise youth players have never trained like this, but they have to do it in game situation so it only makes sense that we practice it.

Again, Club coaches don’t have time to teach all the skills needed to be a complete player, so you have to get outside training (e.g., Private 1-on-1 or Small Group).

Fact: Most players never learn jumping while taking your 1st touch

This is what your team coaches don’t work on, so either work on it at home or at practice with parents, buddies or coaches. 

Not local? Take my online ball control courses.  

I’m not knocking the coach either, it’s just the way it is.  Many of the best youth soccer coaches send their players to me for technical training. 

The coach can’t work on very much technical training & they will (or should) tell you this. 

Jumping while taking your 1st touch is a skill that most players never learn.  The cool part is it doesn’t take long to teach your muscle memory.  Once you’ve done it about 10 times in practice, you’ll be able to do it on game day. 

Top scorer in the nation

Let me give you an example. I train several top players in the nation. One group is an ECNL small group of U14 girls who play on the #1 or #2 Team in the Nation.  Last year when I introduced this to them they only could smile to cover up their embarrassment of how hard it was.

One of the players from that group also does Private Individual lessons whenever her small group is not available. We spend a lot of time on finishing. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that she was recently the Top Scorer in the Nation for the highest league in the country (ECNL) for girls.

Yes, there are special players with natural athleticism but the ones who also train outside of their club are the ones who continue to improve.

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