Ball control is often seen as one skill among many. But our research shows it is much more than that. In The Perfect Choice, our research project with 15 professional clubs, it turned out to be the strongest predictor of broader football development.
Earlier analysis in the same project already showed a strong link between this skill and passing under pressure. But the data revealed another key finding.
Ball control is linked to almost every other skill
For example, players with high ball control scores also score higher on other skill tests. This includes:
- Passing and dribbling technique
- Mental skills
- Visual-cognitive skills
- Movement and motor skills
The most interesting part is the direction. The strong correlation mainly runs from this skill towards the others. Not the other way around. So this test is the strongest predictor of how a player will develop.
Why technique training is a foundation, not an extra
If one skill drives so much of a player’s growth, academies should treat technique training as a foundation. It is not a nice-to-have that you add when there is time left.
Yet the reality looks different. Among the 15 professional clubs in The Perfect Choice, not one club offered individual technique training. That is a clear gap, and a clear opportunity.
Think about what this means for a young player. A better first touch frees up attention. A player who does not have to worry about the first touch can scan the pitch, read the game and make faster decisions. Good technique also supports the mental and visual-cognitive side of the game. When academies skip individual technique work, they limit much more than one skill.
“Targeted technique training in academies is not an extra. It is a foundation.”
How we measure and train ball control
With Tech.Football, we measure and train ball control with motion sensor technology. Players and coaches get:
- App-based feedback on every session
- 13 exercises in multiple variations
- Measurement of counts, frequency and fluency
- Video feedback from movement and motor skill specialists
Because of this, technique training becomes something you can plan, track and improve, just like any other part of your programme. Results can also feed into Technoleon for a complete view of each player.
Conclusion
In short, ball control is not just a skill. It is the base that other skills build on. That is why clubs that invest in individual technique training give their players a better chance to break through.
Does your club want to raise the share of academy players who break through from 2% to 10%? Then ball control is the place to start.
Forward Football
Football improvement company from Amsterdam. We help clubs and academies develop players with data, video and technology. About us
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This article is based on our original LinkedIn post.