18.11.2025 / English
NLZ training: How to make the game-deciding first contact?
The ball lands right at the feet of a young player. A quick glance, a swift touch – and it's already decided whether the play succeeds or falters. This crucial first touch was precisely the focus of the coaching training course at the Darmstadt youth academy (NLZ), which has now taken place for the fourth time.
The training session began with a scene from Darmstadt’s competitive match against Dresden. This scene was used to analyse how Killian Corredor and Fraser Hornby utilised their first touch to score. Following this, Michael Fischer, Sporting Director for the U10 to U14 age groups, and Luca Fischer, U11 coach, led the participants through the evening’s theoretical and practical content.
Our aim as a professional club in this region is to provide coaches with tools they can use in their respective areas. We try to support clubs in the region by giving them ideas and showing them where to focus their efforts.
The game-deciding first contact
The training course further emphasised the key aspects of the first ball contact: reception, control, and the immediate follow-up action that continues the play. The coaches received valuable information and methods to help their players execute technically sound moves in these crucial moments.
Training tools
Following the presentation, the coaches received a selection of practical exercises and games that they could use specifically in their own training sessions. The exercises were designed to cover both technical and coordinative elements and could be flexibly adapted to different age groups and performance levels. This provided the coaches with concrete tools to make their training sessions even more effective and to optimally prepare their players.
Passing on knowledge, fostering young talent
The SV 98 youth academy plans to continue offering regular training courses for club coaches. The aim remains to share knowledge and thus sustainably promote the development of young footballers in the region.