Learn thigh control: move to the ball, cushion it, steer it in playing direction – with milestones based on DFB guidance and an honest verdict.
The honest answer up front: With the thigh you control high balls by moving towards them, bending the knee so the thigh points at the falling ball, and steering the first touch straight into your new playing direction [1]. The goal is not "stop the ball" but "place the ball so your next step already fits".
The DFB is clear: the first touch decides, and every reception should be linked to a follow-up action, such as an accurate pass or a dribble in a given direction [1]. In a session for under-15s this means: take and carry the ball with the first touch in the new direction of movement [3]. For beginners the thigh is often easier than the foot, because the surface is large.
Why not simply use the foot? Because a ball from the air is hard to hit with the foot: the surface is small and the time window short. The thigh gives you a broad surface and some leeway in timing (practical experience). It also spares you the bounce a ball gives when struck too hard.
Your partner throws the ball in an arc from 3 m. You watch the ball the whole time, move towards it, lift the kicking leg slightly and bend the knee so the thigh points at the falling ball [1].
Milestone: 10 throws, in 8 the ball hits the front of your thigh, not the knee.
On contact you give a little with the leg. The DFB describes cushioning for control with the foot: meet the ball and give slightly on contact [2]. For the thigh you transfer the same idea (transfer, from practice).
Milestone: 8 out of 10 balls land no further than one step from your foot.
Turn your thigh or hips slightly towards where you want to play on. The DFB wants even the first touch to go in the new direction of movement so you can set off immediately [1].
Milestone: 7 out of 10 balls land in a 2 m target zone beside you.
Start from 3 to 4 steps away, control the ball and make sure you work alternately with your right and left leg. In its sessions the DFB has players train with both feet [3].
Milestone: 6 out of 10 controls clean with each leg.
The ball is controlled and immediately passed or shot at goal. This is exactly what the DFB recommends: link every reception with a follow-up action [1]. Glance up shortly before receiving: in a study of 27 English Premier League players, players who scanned more often had a higher probability of completing passes, though the effect was small [4].
Milestone: 5 controls with a pass in a row, without the ball bouncing too far.
Thigh control is harmless, but a hard ball on the thigh can leave bruises. Start with light balls. Your standing leg must be secure: warm up with a programme like FIFA 11+, which cut the injury rate by 39% in a meta-analysis [5]. This guide explains and motivates; it does not replace supervised training.
Decide before the pass where you want to place the ball. That saves your eyes in the reception phase for the moment that really matters. And talk to the passer so he plays the ball into your stride and not onto your feet [6]. Then you have more time to steer.
For high passes that you cannot reach with the foot or cannot control on the ground. The DFB describes the thigh for high passes, and the inside or outside of the foot for flat and mid-height ones [1].
Move towards the ball and give slightly on contact. The DFB describes the idea of cushioning for foot control [2]; you transfer it to the thigh.
We found no binding age guideline. In practice you begin with light balls and short throws. For children: fun and ball feel before technique drills.
Yes. In its sessions the DFB has players work with both feet alternately [3]. In games the ball does not always come to your strong side.
It depends on the height of the ball. The thigh suits balls falling at roughly hip to stomach height, the chest higher ones (practice). Both are among the receptions the DFB shows as technique models [1].
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