SOCCER

Aerial Controll

• Aerial Control means the controlling of any pass, which is received in the air. There are four main categories; controlling the ball with the head, chest, thighs or feet. Not all passes are going to be played to you on the ground as many times the ball is lofted, chipped or volleyed towards you in the air. It is important that you are efficient in controlling the ball with all of these surfaces to be a complete player.

  Practice

  Start by throwing the ball off the wall. On the rebound select the best controlling surface to use  (head, chest, thighs or feet) control the ball using one touch and play the ball back off the wall and in the air on your second touch. Keep this sequence going for as long as you possible using a variety of controlling surfaces. The ball must be kept constantly off the ground. You can add variety by controlling the ball with your first touch and keeping the ball up for three or four touches before playing it back towards the wall.

  What You Need to Know

  • Keep your eye's on the ball and head steady
    

  • Move into and under the flight of the ball.
    

  • Select the controlling surface early
    

  • Cushion control is necessary in this practice to be able to take the pace off the ball.
    

  • Offer controlling surface and withdraw on impact, relax at and keep your wrists open, this will help relax the muscles in the upper body.