As a kid, many many years ago, I quickly understood the importance of practicing juggling a football, otherwise known as keepy uppies. So when I was asked the question from a young player as to why they should juggle a football, I thought it would be a good idea to share the reasons why it’s important.
Juggling a soccer ball is a pivotal skill that helps a player to improve a number of aspects within a player’s game such as:
- Coordination
- Ball control
- Balance
- Ankle strength
- Concentration
- Ball relationship
- Timing
For this blog I will share how these aspects are improved by juggling a soccer ball.
Coordination
Being able to constantly prevent the soccer ball from touching the ground whilst keeping the ball under control requires a high level of coordination in order to quickly arrange your feet and legs.
I always try to get my players to use alternate feet, left and right, which enhances that coordination of rapidly changing feet. To increase the level of difficulty, as a player improves their ball juggling, placing restrictions on them as they practice will challenge them even further. For example, a player must use alternate feet but the ball cannot go above knee height.
Ball control
Juggling a soccer ball relies heavily on a player’s ball control. Too strong a touch and the ball will go flying out of reach; too soft and there will not be enough time to be ready for the next control before the ball bounces.
Ball juggling develops a player’s understanding of the weight of touch needed, as well as knowing which surface area of the body is best used, depending on the height of the ball.
During a game, players will have to control a ball in the air multiple times and so by practicing this skill, a player will have the ability and confidence to control the ball instantly.
Balance
When juggling a soccer ball, a player is continually adjusting their body position, ever so slightly, to place the body in a good position to control the ball. This means that the individual’s balance must be good. If the player is unbalanced when making contact, it will make it very difficult to keep the ball under control.
Ankle strength
Playing soccer requires a good amount of ankle strength and this can be improved by juggling a soccer ball.
Have the player balance on one leg whilst keeping the ball in the air. This means that the ankles are getting a workout with the natural bouncing on one foot which is needed to perform this skill.
This is another reason why players should always practice with both feet (not necessarily at the same time, as mentioned before when utilising alternate feet) so that there is an equilibrium between both ankles being worked and not having one weaker than the other.
Concentration
A soccer player must be able to concentrate for long periods of time when playing a soccer match. A ball juggling practice can hughley improve that concentration level.
When a player first sets out in improving the amount of touches in a ball juggling exercise, he or she will have to be fully engaged in the activity. Making sure that they are fully focused on the movement of the ball and their feet or body part that is about to control the ball.
Without consciously realising, the player will transfer this new level of concentration into a game situation when having to control a long distance pass, for example.
Ball relationship
The fact that juggling a soccer ball is done simply by an individual player and a ball, nothing or nobody else needed, means that a player can really build a relationship with the ball.
When I talk about the relationship with the ball I mean that a player will get to know how a ball behaves, in relation to the body part used, with each and every single touch of the ball.
This will encourage creativity of using various surfaces of the foot and body in different ways.
Just think about all the video clips you have probably seen of players like Ronaldo performing the around the world trick, Ronaldhino controlling the ball on his chest or the football freestylers who seem to be able to juggle the ball with any part of their anatomy.
All of this will build the player-ball relationship and again build confidence in a player’s ability to control the ball with ease, even in tight spaces.
Timing
Juggling a soccer ball well means a player must make sure that they time their touches.
I am sure you have seen beginners, after their first touch, trying to lift their leg too quickly for the second touch as they try to make contact with the ball at waist height.
Doing this will not only make a player lose control of the ball but also lose their balance.
Learning how to time each touch of the ball will enable a player to have more time in between each touch which will help with maintaining their balance, body position and more control of their body coordination.
I have been asked when is the best time for their players to practice juggling a soccer ball in a training session in addition to what other exercises can be done to improve a players game, that can be done individually?
So here are some tips as to when to practice ball juggling and other great exercises you can use.
When IS THE BEST FOR players TO PRACTICE juggling a soccer ball AT TRAINING?
I use soccer ball juggling a lot as an arrival activity. Often players turn up for training at different times so I usually have something planned for them to do before we are all ready to start training and juggling a ball is one I use a lot.
To try and get players fully engaged in the activity I keep a record of their personal best scores which they are trying to beat in each training session. Keeping a record will also show the players their progress and provide them with that motivation to keep practicing when they see they are improving.
Ball mastery skills
Ball mastery skills are a great way to improve a player’s game by developing the ability to be able to manipulate the ball in whichever way they want. Ball mastery will also enhance coordination, touch, balance, ankle strength, concentration, ball relationship and timing.
If you would like to know some ball mastery skills, here are some examples:
Toe-taps
Place the ball between the feet and simply tap the ball with alternate feet using the inside toe. Start off slowly and as the player becomes more confident, speed up the exercise which will acquire small hopping actions from foot to foot.
Toe-taps and sideways drag
Same as the previous exercise but now we add in a sideways drag, after 2 touches of the ball, using the sole of the foot.
V shape drag backs
Place 3 cones on the floor (in the shape of a V) and start with the ball at the left hand side of the cones. Using the right sole of the foot, the player will drag the ball back diagonally, with the right foot, and then gently push the ball forward before stopping the ball with the left foot. Repeat this action but with the left foot.
Again, start off slowly and when the player reaches a good level of competency they can speed up the exercise without stopping.
Backward & forwards drags
Utilising the sole of the foot, continuously drag the ball backwards using alternate feet, 10 metres, and then do the same but going forwards.
Start by walking and then quicken up the speed by bouncing off each foot.
Drag and push
Using the sole of the foot, drag the ball backwards in a straight line and then stop the ball with the front part of the foot (laces) and push the ball forward, before stopping it again but with the sole.
All of this should be done without the ball leaving the foot. At no point should the ball not be in contact with the foot. To do this, the player must bend their knee and slightly lower their body as they drag the ball backwards before returning to an upright position as they push the ball forwards.
L shape drag and push
Very similar to the previous exercise (drag and push) but this time, when the player pushes the ball forward he/she must push the ball sideways to create an L shape movement.
As with the previous exercise, this will require the bending of the knee and remember that the ball should always be touching the foot.