Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-01-10
SKILL IN TRAPPING
A SOCCER ESSENTIAL
This Department of Game Most Important in Controlling
BalNThree Easy Methods-Player Must Learn
Balance and Keep on His Toes
BY DOUGLAS STEWART

Coach OF the University OF Pennsylvania
uAVING dealt with the kicking of
- the ball in soccer, the different
phases of controlling the ball after it
has been set in motion, require consid-
Grafton.
Probably the most important phase of
control is the art of trapping and block
ing the ball. A knowledge of trapping
is essential to enable player to re-
ceive and proDel the ball in midfeld, in
receiving and intercepting passes or
kicks. Sound judgment is required as
to the speed with which the ball travels
and the curves and angles which 1t de-
scribes in its fight.
There are several methods Of trapping
| the ball. Three of these most easy of
attainment are trapping with the body
below the ribs. with the leg from the
knee down to the inside Of the foot, and
with the sole of the foot.
Trapping q Bounce
The first is applicable when the ball
has bounced off the ground and risen to
height of about three and one half or
| four feet, or when the ball is travelling at
| the height stated above the ground, or
| when it is advisable to gain control Of
| the ball in its descent from n height
| before it reaches the ground. In using
this method the player, If the ball is
coming toward him on the rise or on q
| level, permits the ball to come in con
tact with his body and Immediately
bends forward, the ball dropping at the
players feet, which, of course, are
ready to dispose of the ball as the player
desires. In receiving descending ball
the same movements OF the body are
used, with the addition Of impelling the
body sharply forward.
The second method is used in the en-
deavor to gain control of Il descending
ball, ball travelling with low flight
or on the ground. In using this method
the player sets the receiving foot at a
right angle to the line Of flight Of the
ball, with the feet slightly apart. the
weight mainly on the opposite foot. The
heel of the receiving foot is raised
slightly off the ground and the knee Of
that leg slightly bent inward and some
what over the ball when it comes in
contact with the ankle and the inside
| of the foot. The inner bend of the leg
has the effect, as does the forward bend
of the body in the first method, of neu =
tralzing the spin of the ball and causing
it to fall or lie practically dead.
The third method is used particu
larly with descending ball or a bal
travelling on or close to the ground
To use this method the player lifts the
receiving foot off the ground dis
tance of about six or seven inches and
eleyates the front part or sole of the
foot to an angle of about 30 to 40 de.
grees. This applies particularly il
trapping ball travelling on the ground
If the ball is above the ground it is, Of
course, necessary to elevate the receiv.
ing foot to an extent sufficient to re.
ceive the ball and then Immediately
drop the foot on the ball SO rs to bring
it to the ground.
Brain Must Act Quickly
With descending ball it is necessary
TO put the foot on it at the moment i
reaches the ground, or just as it starts