Every beginner soccer player starts somewhere and usually,it begins with juggling a ball.
So… how many Keepy-Ups can you do? 🤔
If it’s less than 10, don’t worry—you’re in the right place!
Stick with me, and I’ll walk you through some tips and tricks to help you level up your juggling game. 🚀
Learning how to juggle a soccer ball can be tough—trust me, we’ve all been there.
It feels like you’re constantly chasing after the ball, right?
But here’s the thing: everyone starts from square one.
With a little patience and the right techniques, you can easily go from zero juggles to 100… and maybe even 1,000! 😎
First Step To Juggle a Soccer Ball: Toe Position and Foot Extension
Okay, let’s dive into the basics.
When you make contact with the ball, make sure your toe is pointed forward, not up.
This gives you a clean hit and keeps the ball floating right where you want it. 🌟
And when you kick the ball, extend your foot rather than keeping it stiff—but don’t overdo it.
A slight bend in your standing leg helps you stay relaxed and balanced, which is key for control.
Trust me, this little tweak makes a big difference! 💥
Ball Contact: Hit The Sweet Spot To Juggle The Soccer Ball Easily
Source: Pexels
One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is hitting the ball all wrong.
(Here’s a pro tip: aim to hit the middle of the ball with the middle of your foot.)
When you strike the right spot, the ball will stay steady rather than bounce off in random directions. 🎯
Get a feel for the connection between your feet and the ball, and familiarise yourself with it.
It is okay to apply backspin or no spin to keep the ball close to you, so you do not have to reach for the juggles.
It’s all about control!
Step 1: Begin With Drop Juggles
Let’s ease into it with Drop Juggles.
(Tip💡: Look at step 3 of the video above if you do not know what are Drop Juggles)
To set up, keep your hands mostly outstretched and hold the ball at roughly waist level.
Then, all you need to do is hold the ball in your hands, drop it, and kick it back up before catching it again.
Alternate between both feet.
This drill is to get you used to the ball’s feel and learn how much force you need.
Aim to generate enough force to kick the ball back into your hands.
Too little force will give you less time to react, while too much force will cause you to lose control of the ball.
Keep practicing this step, until you start to feel that sweet control. 👌
Step 2: Move On To Bounce Juggles
Source: Pexels
Feeling confident with the drop juggles? Time to level up to Bounce Juggles.
In this drill, you’ll juggle the ball while letting it bounce between each touch.
It’s like giving yourself a bit of extra time to prepare for the next kick.
This will help you string together more touches and build confidence. 💪
Oh, and don’t forget to practice with both feet to keep things balanced!
Step 3: You Are Ready For Full Juggles
Once you’ve got the bounce juggles down, it’s time to try Full Juggles!
Drop the ball from your hands and keep it in the air using both feet.
Focus on keeping the ball close to your body—it’ll make everything easier and keep you from running all over the place. 🎯
Right now, your goal is consistency, so don’t stress about the number of juggles just yet.
You’ve got this! 👏
Step 4: Mix It Up With Thigh Juggling
Source: Pexels
If you’re feeling good about foot juggling, why not add some Thigh Juggles into the mix?
When the ball hits your thigh, make sure your knee is bent at a 90-degree angle.
If you go too low, the ball will fly away, and if you go too high, it’ll come right at you.
The trick is to aim for a nice, controlled bounce straight up. 🎯
Tracking Progress and Setting Goals
Let’s be real—nothing feels better than beating your personal record!
Keep track of how many juggles you can do each day, and set daily goals to push yourself. 🚀
You’ll be surprised how quickly you’ll improve, especially in the early days.
Watching your progress climb can be the best motivation to keep going. 💯
Patience And Persistence: The Real Secret
Juggling a soccer ball is like learning any new skill—it takes time, practice, and a lot of patience.
There will be days when it feels like nothing’s working, but don’t give up!
Stay consistent, keep practising, and soon enough, you’ll be juggling like a pro. 🔥
You can juggle on a field with your boots, or just put on a pair of trainers and practice on normal walking surfaces.
As a last resort, you can even practice barefoot. So no excuses to skip juggling day! 💪
With these tips and drills, you’re well on your way to mastering juggling.
Keep practising, stay positive, and most importantly—enjoy the process! ⚽😊
Related To Soccer:
How to Get Better at Soccer Quickly (By A Former Academy Trainee)
Top 7 Traits of The Most Successful Soccer Players (From An Ex-Academy Player)
