This study examined the biomechanical factors that influence how quickly football players can transition from receiving a pass to making their next pass 1. Seventeen university players performed a dynamic sprint-trap-pass task while researchers recorded their movements using motion capture technology .
Key Findings
The study identified four factors associated with longer trap-to-pass times:
- Faster pre-contact foot approach – players who approached the ball too aggressively took longer to execute the next pass
- Greater left hip flexion at contact – a more crouched posture during ball contact delayed the transition
- Larger post-contact rebound – excessive ball bounce after trapping increased transition time
- Greater vertical ball velocity – balls that bounced upward after contact took longer to control for the next pass
Main Conclusion
Faster receive-to-pass performance was associated with controlled approach, upright posture at contact, and minimal ball rebound 6. The findings suggest first-touch training should emphasize preparing the ball for the next action rather than just stopping it.
Football Studies: “Kinematic factors associated with first-touch control and trap-to-pass transition in football during a dynamic receive-to-pass task”. DOI: 10.1016/j.footst.2026.100071