Skills / Passing and receiving

Cushioning the ball

Take the pace off a pass with the inside of your foot, so the ball stops close and ready.

L R 20 cm
  • Foot on the ball
  • Ball's path

Any age

When to use it

Receiving a firm pass along the ground when you need the ball still, under control, before you play.

Get it right

  • Get your body in line with the ball early.
  • Present the inside of your foot to the ball, a little off the ground.
  • Keep your ankle relaxed, not locked as it would be for a pass.
  • As the ball arrives, draw the foot back slightly, like catching an egg.
  • Better still, push the touch a step to one side, so the ball is ready for your next pass.

Watch out for

  • A stiff foot, so the ball bounces away.
  • Waiting for the ball instead of moving to meet it.
  • Looking down the whole time, so you don't know what to do next.

Drawn for the right foot. Learn it on your weaker foot too: it doubles the number of ways you can go.

More passing and receiving: The inside-foot pass, Receiving on the half-turn.

In a match

Practising a skill is half of it. Here is when it turns up in a game, and what to look for.

Where
Receiving a hard pass under pressure, or a long ball.
The moment
The pass is coming fast and you need the ball still and close before you play.
Match mistake
A stiff foot, so the ball bounces away to the defender.

Try it in your next match. Every hard pass you receive: first touch dead, second touch a pass.

Match moments where it counts: Get past their midfield · Go round them · Our kick-off

Practise it

Drills where you will use this skill again and again.