The sole stop controls an incoming ground pass with the bottom of your foot, pinning it between your sole and the ground so it stays right under you. The FA's futsal guidance calls the sole the easiest surface for controlling and moving the ball. It is a pure touch skill, so we coach it here rather than grade it on camera.
Set up
Look left and right before the ball arrives so you know how much time and space you have.
Check, then receive.
Get in line with the ball's path, knees slightly bent, chest over your standing foot and arms out a little for balance.
Balanced over the standing leg.
Lift your receiving foot slightly off the ground and pull your toes up toward your shin so the sole faces the oncoming ball.
Toes up, sole showing.
Stop
Take the ball just in front of your body, meeting it with the sole and pinning it against the ground.
Pin it, don't stamp it.
Keep the foot relaxed and let it give back a little as the ball arrives, so the sole absorbs the pace instead of bouncing it off.
Soft foot, slight give.
If a defender is close, keep your body between them and the ball and keep the ball on the foot furthest from them.
Body as a shield.
Play your next action quickly: pass, roll the ball away with the sole, or turn. A stopped ball only helps if you use the time it buys.
Stop, then go.
Feel it
The ball should settle under your sole without a sound or a bounce, close enough that you could roll it any direction next. A relaxed foot that gives slightly feels soft; a stiff foot that stamps feels like a slap and the ball jumps away.
Fix-its
- The ball bounces off your sole Relax the foot and let it give back slightly on contact. A rigid surface sends the ball away.
- The ball rolls under your foot Pull your toes up so the sole faces the ball, and watch it all the way in. Keep the foot only a little off the ground.
- You lose balance or lunge at the ball Move your feet to get in line early, bend your knees and keep your chest over your standing foot.
- A defender closes you down after the stop Scan before the ball arrives, shield with your body, and move the ball on quickly instead of standing on it.
Drill
- Start with a futsal ball if you have one: it is smaller and bounces less, which makes sole control easier to learn before you move to a regular ball.
- Partner passes: a partner passes along the ground, you stop it with the sole and pass back. Alternate feet; about 5 minutes per round.
- Stop and go: stop the pass dead with your sole, then immediately dribble off in a new direction.
- Scan and stop: your partner calls or points a direction as the pass travels; look up, stop it with the sole, then roll it that way.
- Sole rule game: in a small-sided game, every player must use the sole at least once before releasing the ball.
Sources
- FIFA — Futsal Coaching Manual (section 4.2 Control and exercises)
- The FA Boot Room, Graeme Carrick — How using the sole of the foot can benefit players (2020)
- The FA — Futsal for Schools resource cards (2019)
- Westmorland FA — Coaches Corner #7: Focus on Futsal (2022)
- SoccerXpert, Chris Johnson — Coaching Points for Trapping with the Sole of the Foot (2010)
- SoccerXpert, Chris Johnson — Teaching Soccer Skills to 4-8 Year Olds (2025)
Last checked 2026-10-25.