Chest Control and Link Play
A striker who can chest and immediately play to a runner is many times more effective than one who only plays balls on the floor.
◆Why this drill works
A striker who can chest and immediately play to a runner is many times more effective than one who only plays balls on the floor. Most grassroots players have received no chest control coaching since U9. Rebuilding it at U12 in a match-like context pays immediate dividends. Chest control is often neglected because it looks simple, but the technique — broadening the chest, leaning back at the point of contact, and directing the ball down into a controlled zone in front of the body — is genuinely coachable and frequently done poorly even by older players. Pairing the chest control immediately with a lay-off forces players to think about the second action before the first touch even lands, which is the habit that turns a technical exercise into a link-play skill. Progressing into the four-player combination adds the realistic complexity of a moving picture, where the receiver must process teammates' positions while still executing clean technique under a slight time pressure.
◇Variations and progressions
- Turn after chest — receiver chests the ball and turns into space rather than laying it off, adding a decision about when to keep possession versus link play.
- Under pressure — add a passive defender behind the receiver who closes down as the ball travels, sharpening the urgency of the lay-off.
- Weaker-side lay-off — require every lay-off to go to the side the receiver finds less natural, building a genuinely two-footed habit.
- Live scrimmage reward — award bonus points in a small-sided game for any goal that includes a successful chest-and-lay-off in the buildup.
▦The drill in three phases
▶How to run it
- Pairs, 6 yards apart. Server throws to receiver's chest. Receiver chests and lays off to third player 3 yards to the side.
- 5 reps lay-off left, 5 right, 5 receiver decides direction.
- Progress: server volleys the ball at chest height.
- 4-player combination: A plays long ball to B. B chests to C. C plays first-time to D. D plays back to A.
- Final: B turns after chesting rather than laying off sideways.
✦Coaching points
Praise when you see
- Chest broadened and leaning back to absorb pace
- Immediate lay-off after control
- Scanning for the third player before the ball even arrives
Correct when you see
- Arms out to the side — they go behind the back during chest control
- Ball bouncing too far from body
- Lay-off aimed carelessly rather than weighted for the receiving player's next touch
★Kit for this drill — top picks compared
| Pick | Product | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top pick | Training Footballs (6-pack) | Consistent touch reps. | Check price → |
| Value | Rebounder Net | Solo control practice. | Check price → |
| Upgrade | Marker Cones (50-pack) | Mark receiving zones. | Check price → |
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