Trap

A term used when a player uses certain skills to either control a teammate’s pass or misplaced pass from an opposition player. A trap is usually when the ball is controlled down to the pitch and possession is successfully retained and secured by the player.

What are the different types of trap skills in Soccer?

A ball can be trapped with any legal part of the body, chest and feet being the most commonly used by players. Arms and hands cannot be used as this would be a handball and result in the referee awarding a free kick or penalty kick depending on where the offense is committed.

• Chest – trapping a ball in this way is very common and is often used in offensive and defensive situations to bring the ball down to the ground. When using a chest trap, players have to make sure their arms don’t make contact with the ball.
• Thigh – this trap skill is commonly used with long balls played up to a player, often allowing them to take control of the ball quickly before oncoming defenders can make a tackle.
• Feet – trapping a ball by using feet allows the player to quickly bring the ball under control and have a better chance to pass or shoot at goal. Common ways to trap with feet can be with the studs, laces, or sides of a player’s boot.