Trapping, which refers to stopping and controlling a moving soccer ball, looks effortless when practiced by top international pros. They can take a hard-driven ball flighted 50 yards down the field and bring it out of the air as soft as a whisper, typically using their foot or chest. Kids can get started with simple trapping drills to learn the crucial cushioning techniques and avoid having a brick foot that caroms the ball to opponents.
Instep Traps
Face your partner and pass the ball back and forth. Stop the ball by opening your foot square to the ball and slightly moving your instep away from the ball as it arrives. Cushion the ball so it slows gently instead of ricocheting away and stops at your feet. If the ball is bouncing, touch the ball gently with your instep after it hits the ground and let its backspin bring it to a stop, recommends Soccer Training Guide.
Sole Trap
Stop a ball coming at a slow pace by simply putting your foot on top of it. If the ball is coming in the air, place the sole of your foot on it the instant it hits the ground, recommends soccer coach Sam Borden in "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Soccer Basics."
Leg Traps
Toss the ball in the air. As soon as it touches the ground, sweep the ball across your body with your instep to perform an instep trap and move a few steps in the direction your momentum takes you, recommends coach Laurie Schwoy, a former Gatorade high school player of the year. Toss the ball in the air and cradle it with your thigh to do a thigh trap. Give the ball a soft landing and cradle it briefly before it falls at your feet; dribble it away with a few quick touches.
Upper Body Traps
For a chest trap, toss the ball in the air, lean back to get your chin out of the way, and use your chest to pop the ball gently straight up in the air; follow with an instep trap and a few dribbles, Schwoy advises. To do a head trap, toss the ball in the air, bend your knees, and gently head the ball up so it falls at your feet, followed by an instep trap and a touch away.
Fancy Traps
Hold the ball straight out from the body. Drop the ball from a low height to begin the Cruyff combination. Turn your body with your knees raised as if you plan to kick it straight ahead. Twist so that the inside of your heel chips the ball to go behind you instead of in front, and pursue the ball to dribble it. As you become more skilled, toss the ball in the air to begin your Cruyff. Finally, toss the ball in the air, chest trap it and combine with a Cruyff turn.
Touchdown
Borden recommends this drill, which will appeal to little ones who also love American football. Set up like a quarterback and have the players run into the "end zone" behind the end line of the field. Throw the ball toward a player. Score a touchdown for the player if she controls it well. Step backward and send longer bombs to the players as they become better at trapping.
Member Comments