The 10,000 touches football training session

Repetition with football touches “leads to habitual patterns of play, and techniques to a point where complexities becomes simple”. That is the idea behind the method of young football players completing drills that allow them to make 10,000 touches per day.

The number of touches seems extraordinary. But it is an idea that has been practised in the Netherlands. The Dutch are renowned for their technical play and attributes, and the 10,000 touch a day training model may be something more countries need to adapt.

The Dutch way

Often, the Dutch style of football is seen as one of the most exciting ways to play. Many teams and counties adopt the Dutch style. Think 4-3-3 with players interchanging positions. But the Dutch are also masters of passing and touch, and it doesn’t take a genius to see how the country, mostly Ajax, has influenced Barcelona and Spain.

The beauty of the Dutch’s 10,000 touch a day training model is players don’t need to be with a team, coach or atraining session. Players can complete the 10,000 touch session at home, in the park or with a friend in the driveway.

The entire session is made up of a variety of dribbling, control and passing moves. However, some players and coaches have adapted the 10,000 touch model. They have created their own set of moves. By adapting the type of dribbling drills you do, the 10,000 touch session can be completed alone or with another player.

Why 10,000 touches a day?

The repetition of 10,000 touches allows players to gain familiarity. It builds muscle memory and when playing a game, the mind and body react to complete the moves. The 10,000 touches provide strong fundamentals for players and helps them build weaknesses into strengths.

Look at the best players in the world, and you can see those players were completing drills at home and on their own at an early age. They were getting the touches they needed, and it paid off as they succeeded in trials, worked their way to the first team and have won major trophies. You can do it too. It just takes time, patience and hard work.