Three touch or multi?

As is the case with much of walking football, there are different rules and approaches supporting the game, and one of the key defining elements is the choice of three touch or multi touch.

If you ask players for their preference they will always choose one above the other. One reason that people choose multi touch, is that the players with better ball control and dribbling skills, can keep hold of the ball, make progress up the field, and somewhat single handily, create opportunities. The fact that walking football is billed as non-contact, means that once that gifted ball player has the ball, it's very difficult to get it back. If you watch the best ball players when they have the ball, they'll continually nurse the ball and move it around with a deft touch, their back to the defender until an opportunity to turn the defender comes up, at which point it happens and they're striding forward towards the goal or the strike is made.

So, if the players with the best ball control go for multi touch does that mean three touch is the touch of choice for those less gifted? Well in a sense it is, but it also offers so much more. Three touch is significantly more inclusive, bringing all of the team into play. Three touch encourages the movement of the ball. As a player the most you can do is receive the ball, position the ball, and then release the ball. Watch a good three touch match and the ball is constantly shifting between players, and playing triangles and player positioning becomes key to forward progression.

I'm fortunate that I play under both formats and as I don't have the dribbling and ball control skills, in a multi touch match I'm mostly looking to get the ball as quickly as possible to the players with the skills that make the difference. I suppose you could say I have a three touch mindset whatever the format.

What does your club play and what is your preference?