U8 Receiving Exercise

RECEIVING

Outside of Foot Trap:

1) Point the toe down and roll the foot over so that the outer edge is pointing toward the ground, bending the knee, and pulling the foot towards the opposite side of the body. Experiment so that you can turn the front of the foot into as flat a surface as possible to receive the ball.

2) Turn slightly away from the ball, so that the knee of your receiving leg can point towards the incoming path of the ball.

3) Make contact with the ball, catching the ball so that the middle of the foot is vertically centered on the ball and the foot basically wraps around the ball (with the toes at the lower edge and the heel at the upper opposite edge of the ball.

4) As the ball meets the foot, relax the knee so that the lower leg can swing freely inward ("give"), which allows you to take speed off the ball and allows the ankle to aid in trapping the ball as your leg "gives" backward.

Wedge Trap:

1) Plant foot is turned slightly outward, with knee bent.

2) Receiving leg is bent and foot is turned sharply outward with heel dropped down, so that lower leg/foot makes an "L" shape.

3) Lift receiving foot off of the ground about 4-5 inches, so that contact with the incoming ball is made just below the top of the ball.

4) Relax the foot/leg as the ball makes contact, so that the ball is cushioned to a stop. Click here for U8 GAMES