Football Control Using the Instep

Football control using the instep (top of the foot) is a difficult skill to master, but it is essential if you want to bring the ball under control quickly when the football is in the air below about knee height. The keys to this technique are balance and a soft touch. Picture one of your favourite premiership fotballers controlling a lofted pass from 40 yards. Much of the time. it was their instep that they used to control the ball.

Shooting

Goalkeeping

Passing

Heading

Tackling

Volleying

Dribbling

Control

Fitness

Psychology

Drills

Soccer (Football) Academy

For young players and coaches of youth football teams, Soccer Academy is the ideal way of improving your football. Video demonstrations, 3D animations, colour photographs & clear text combine to make improving your soccer skills fun! Techniques, tactics, training, fitness, nutrition, psychology & rules are comprehensively covered.

Adapted from Football Academy

Good balance is vital, as it is impossible to control the ball otherwise. Use your arms to help you. Put your foot directly underneath the ball, and receive the ball high up on the top of the foot where the laces are. Relax the foot to give a "soft touch", and withdraw the foot on impact. Try to keep your foot in contact with the ball for as long as possible. Swing your foot back from the knee like a follow through in reverse. The aim is to bring the ball to rest just in front of your best foot.

Once you have mastered the basics of this technique, turn the foot as you trap the ball to direct it to the left or right. Then you will be able to control the ball, and turn with the ball in one movement. Above all, practise! The simplest drill is just to loft the ball against a wall and practise catching the ball on your instep.