THE ULTIMATE TRAP

Trapping a soccer ball is one of the most important youth football coaching drills you can teach your players. Not only does this drill control the pace and flow of the game, but it is a key component of other skills such as dribbling, passing and shooting. If we define TRAPPING, it is stopping the ball by cushioning it so that it can be controlled.

In youth football coaching drills there are three methods of trapping the ball:

Trapping with the foot:

1)      Get in line with the ball.

2)      Lift the foot that will be trapping the ball off the ground, ensuring it is perpendicular to the path of the ball.

3)      Lock the ankle of the trapping foot and keep the toe up. Keep the foot soft to ensure that you do not kick the ball.

4)      Make sure that your arms are not in the way. Keep them to the sides.

5)      As the ball is about to make contact with the trapping foot, bring the foot backwards slightly on contact.

Trapping with the chest:

1)      Watch the ball as it comes down and position the body underneath it.

2)      Arch the back to allow the ball to land as softly as is possible.

3)      Keep your arms out to the side away from the ball.

4)      Steer the ball downwards to the ground in order to control its’ next direction.

Trapping with the thighs:

1)      Ensure that your thigh that you are going to trap the ball with is parallel to the ground.

2)      Raise your elbows in a lateral direction to the sides in order to maintain balance.

3)      Remember that you are merely catching the ball with the inside part of the thigh. You are not using the knee to knock the ball in the air.

REMEMBER – The main objective of trapping is to deaden the ball in order to control its’ flow and direction.

To practice trapping you need a wall where your players can kick a ball at the wall and therefore control the rebound. This will allow them to grasp the technique quickly and in turn implement it on match days.

Cheers for now.

Mike