HEART

You should always be on your toes and/or moving when receiving a ball. By being on your toes and moving, your HEART should be pumping harder. Don’t be stationary.

Why It Matters

• Rarely are balls passed perfectly. You must be constantly on your toes in order to make adjustments.
  • Be ready to move forwards, backwards, or to either side.
• Being on your toes and in motion will be easier to make your next move.
• Moving helps you get away from defenders and find open spaces.
• It is easier to spot/see players that are moving. Moving players will likely get the ball passed to them more frequently.

S: Straight and/or Square

“S” refers to the position of the plant foot (the foot not doing the receiving), and/or the position of the shoulders of the player receiving the ball.

• The plant-foot toe must be pointing STRAIGHT at the player who made the pass.
• The shoulders must be SQUARE (perpendicular) to the player who passed the ball.

Why It Matters

In these positions, you:

• Give yourself the maximum number of directions you can go with your first-touch.
• Don’t telegraph your opponent where you are going with your first-touch.
• Are well balanced.
• Effectively shield your opponent from the ball.

O: Out

“O” refers to the foot receiving the ball. It must be pointing OUT, typically at a 90-degree angle from the plant foot, assuming you want to stop the ball in front of you.

Why It Matters

• Pointing the foot/toe OUT exposes the inside-of-the-foot, the optimal foot surface to receive a pass. The inside-of-the-foot is:
  • Flat, making it easier to control the ball.
  • More forgiving with its larger surface area.
  • Able to control a variety of different passes: “ground” balls, high balls, mid-level passes, etc.
• The navicular bone is the ideal spot to receive a pass.
  • If the ball hits above the bone, it will still hit your leg.
  • Passing uses many of the same FIRST-TOUCH mechanics. The optimal spot on the inside-of-the-foot to make strong, accurate passes is with the navicular bone.

U: Up

“U” refers to the foot receiving the ball. The toe must be pointing UP as high is it can go.

why it matters

• Pointing the toe UP “locks the ankle”.
• A locked ankle allows you to control the ball. With an unlocked ankle, the ball controls you.
• Passing uses many of the same FIRST-TOUCH mechanics. Would you rather pass the ball with a baseball bat or a pool noodle?

L: LIFT(ED)

“L” refers to the foot receiving the ball. The foot must be LIFTED off the ground.

why it matters

• LIFTING the foot allows the navicular bone to make contact with the ball’s “Sweet Spot”.
  • The Sweat Spot is the middle (or thickest) part of the ball.
• If the heel of the foot receiving the ball remains on the ground, the ball will likely hop over your foot.
• Passing uses many of the same FIRST-TOUCH mechanics. The ball can’t be passed accurately if the heel is hitting the ground.

TIPS

• In the S O U L tabs, it states that, “Passing uses many of the same FIRST-TOUCH mechanics”. Using Heart & SOUL to improve your first-touch will make you a better passer, shooter, and goal scorer, GUARANTEED!
• When practicing your FIRST-TOUCH, each possession should be a two-touch possession. Receive the ball with one foot and pass it with the other.
  • Work on BOTH feet.
• ALWAYS play with your head up except when receiving the ball.
  • Watch the ball hit the inside-of-your-foot.

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HEART

You should always be on your toes and/or moving when receiving a ball. By being on your toes and moving, your heart should be pumping harder. Get your heart pumping. Don’t be stationary.

Why It Matters

• Rarely are ball passed to you perfected. You must be constantly on your toes in order to make adjustment so that you can receiving the ball properly.
  • Be ready to move forward, backwards, or to either side.
• By being on your toes and in motion, it will be easier to make your next move.
• Moving helps you get away from defenders and find open spaces so pass will be more succesful.
• By moving more, your teammates will see you more and, therefore, you should be getting more passes