How To Juggle a Soccer Ball (Guide for Beginners)
Most people think juggling a soccer ball is something that can only be done by experienced players. But with the right techniques, you too can learn how to juggle a soccer ball like a pro!
In this blog post, we’ll share some tips on how to improve your juggling skills. From the basic techniques to more advanced ones, we’ll cover everything you need to know.
We’ll also show you what footwear is best for juggling and how to increase your ball control.
So if you’re looking to take your game to the next level, read our top soccer juggling tips anyone can master.
Why Juggle a Soccer Ball
Juggling a soccer ball is a great way to improve your ball control skills. It’s also a fun way to show off your moves on the field.
And if you can master the art of juggling, you’ll be able to keep the ball close to your feet, making it harder for opponents to steal it from you.
Being able to keep the ball under control and close to your feet makes it easier to protect it from opponents. If an opponent tries to tackle you, they will have a harder time getting the ball because you can keep it away from their reach.
The ability to keep the ball in the air also comes in handy when you’re trying to pass it to a teammate or take a shot on goal. By keeping the ball up, you have more time to make a decision and pick out your target.
It’s also worth noting that juggling can help improve your coordination and balance. These are important skills for any soccer player to have.
All you need to start juggling is a soccer ball. If you don’t have one, any kind of ball will do, as long as it’s not too light or too heavy. You might also want to invest in a good pair of soccer shoes. Wearing the right footwear will help improve your ball control.
Benefits of Soccer Juggling
Now that we’ve answered the question “Why juggle a soccer ball?”, it’s time to look at the benefits of this skill. Being able to juggle brings many benefits to your game, such as:
1. Improve Ball Control
One of the main benefits of juggling is that it helps improve your ball control skills. When you juggle a soccer ball, you learn how to keep it close to your feet and under control.
This is an important skill to have on the field because it makes it harder for opponents to get the ball from you.
2. Quicker Decision Making
Another benefit of juggling is that it helps improve your decision-making skills. When you keep the ball in the air, you have more time to think about your next move.
This can come in handy when you’re trying to pass the ball to a teammate or take a shot on goal.
3. Improved Coordination
Juggling also helps improve your coordination and balance. These are important skills for any soccer player to have as they help you stay nimble on your feet and maintain control of the ball.
4. Better Footwork
Another benefit of juggling is that it helps improve your footwork. When you keep the ball in the air, you have to constantly move your feet to keep it from touching the ground. This helps improve your footwork and makes you more agile on the field.
5. Increased Confidence
Juggling can also help increase your confidence on the field. When you know you can keep the ball in the air, it gives you a boost of confidence that can help you perform better.
6. Juggling also helps with ball awareness
This is an important skill for any soccer player. When you juggle, you have to be constantly aware of where the ball is and what your body is doing.
This helps improve your ball awareness, which is very useful when you have to make split-second decisions.
7. It helps improves your technique
Another benefit of juggling is that it helps improve your technique. When you juggle, you have to use the correct technique to keep the ball in the air. It’s also a great way to practice with your weaker foot and improve your ball striking.
8. Leg strength
Juggling also helps improve the strength of your legs. When you keep the ball in the air, you have to use your leg muscles to constantly adjust your position. This helps build up the strength in your legs, which is important for any soccer player.
9. Mental toughness
Juggling can also help improve your mental toughness. When you juggle, you have to be focused and concentrated. This helps improve your mental toughness, which is an important quality for any soccer player.
10. It’s fun!
Last but not least, juggling is just plain fun! It’s a great way to relieve stress and have some fun while you’re practicing your soccer skills. Similarly, it is a good way to warm up before a game or practice. You often see all the pros doing it before the game starts.
Step By Step Guide for Beginners
Now that we’ve looked at all the benefits of juggling a soccer ball, it’s time to learn how to do it! Here is a step-by-step guide for beginners:
1. Start with two touches
The first step is to start with two touches. This means you will kick the ball up in the air and then strike it with your head, chest, or thigh before it hits the ground.
2. Use your weaker foot
The next step is to use your weaker foot. This will help you develop better ball control with that foot.
3. Keep the ball close to your body
The next step is to keep the ball close to your body. This will help you maintain control of the ball.
4. Use your instep
The next step is to use your instep. This will help you keep the ball in the air longer.
5. Keep your head up
The final step is to keep your head up. This will help you see where the ball is and make better decisions.
Juggling Training Tips: How To Improve
As already mentioned, juggling a soccer ball is a great way to improve your foot skills, coordination, and overall game. It is also a lot of fun! Here are some 9 tips to help you get started:
1. Start by using a softer ball.
This will make it easier to control the ball and prevent it from bouncing away from you. It is also a good idea to start with a smaller ball so that you can concentrate on keeping it in the air for longer periods.
2. Use one foot at first.
Once you get the hang of it, you can try using both feet. This will help you develop a feel for the ball and improve your coordination.
3. Keep your knees bent and your body relaxed.
This will help you stay balanced, thus, helping you keep control of the ball and prevent it from bouncing away from you.
4. Focus on keeping the ball in the air for as long as possible.
The longer you can keep the ball in the air, the better. This will help improve your foot skills, control, and touch, as well as your coordination.
5. Practice with both feet.
The more comfortable you are with using both feet, the better. This will help you become more coordinated and improve your footwork overall.
6. Use different parts of your feet and body.
The bottom of your foot is not the only part that can come into contact with the ball. Try using the inside, outside, and top of your foot to keep the ball in the air. This will help you develop a better touch and feel for the ball.
Also, vary by using your knees and head. This will further help improve your coordination.
7. Use walls and other surfaces to practice.
This is a great way to work on your accuracy and touch. Try passing the ball off of a wall and into the air, or try chipping the ball up in the air and then catching it.
8. Try different techniques.
There are many different ways to juggle a soccer ball. Try different techniques and see which ones work best for you. Some people prefer to keep the ball close to their feet, while others like to kick it up high in the air.
Experiment and find what works best for you.
9. Vary the height of your juggles.
This will help you develop a feel for the ball and improve your coordination. Try keeping the ball low to the ground at first, and then gradually increase the height of your juggles.
How To Juggle a Soccer Ball Like a Pro
If you’re serious about becoming a better soccer player, then you need to learn how to juggle a soccer ball.
Here are some tips to help you get started:
- Start with one ball
Get comfortable with controlling the ball before moving on to two balls. Once you can consistently keep the ball in the air for at least 10 seconds with one touch, you’re ready to move on.
- Use your body
Keep your body between the ball and the ground as much as possible. This will help you control the ball better. Use your thighs, chest, and head to keep the ball up.
- Keep your hands off the ball
Don’t use your hands to keep the ball up, unless you’re using them to control the ball. Use your body and let the ball bounce off of you.
- Use two balls
Once you’re comfortable with one ball, move on to two balls. Start by trying to keep one ball in the air while you juggle the other!
- Don’t forget to practice your weaker foot
Juggling with both feet will make you a more well-rounded player. Be sure to practice with your weaker foot as much as your strong foot. Most pros are just as comfortable using their weaker foot as their strong foot.
- Challenge yourself by trying different juggling patterns
The more complicated the pattern, the better your control and coordination will become. Try different patterns and see how long you can keep the balls in the air!
- Keep your head up
This will help you keep track of the ball and make it easier to control. If you keep your head down too low, you’re more likely to lose control of the ball.
- Keep practicing
The more you practice, the better you’ll become at juggling. It’s as simple as that! Just keep at it and don’t get discouraged.
What Footwear Should I Wear To Practice Juggling
You should wear comfortable sneakers that provide good support and traction. Soccer cleats are not necessary, but they can help if you play on grass or artificial turf.
The more comfortable you are, the longer you will be able to practice. Similarly, if you are constantly adjusting your footwear, you will not be able to focus or concentrate properly on your juggling skills.
Also, remember to wear socks! Wearing socks will help reduce friction between your feet and the ball.
If you’re going to be doing a lot of footwork drills, it’s also a good idea to wear ankle socks or shin guards to protect your shins from getting bruised.
It is widely accepted that you should not practice in your bare feet as this can lead to injuries.
Not only that, but it is also harder to control the ball when you are not wearing shoes. The ball can slip and slide all over the place, which makes it difficult to keep it under control.
Professional Soccer Players Who Can’t Juggle
We’ve all seen them. The professional soccer player who can make every move on the field look easy, but can’t seem to keep the ball in the air for more than a couple of touches.
Some players seem to have all the talent in the world, but their lack of ball control skills or ability to perform basic soccer juggling moves holds them back from becoming great.
When players sign for a new club they are often unveiled with a lot of fanfare. One of the things they sometimes do at their press conference is show off their skills by juggling the ball.
It’s a great way to endear themselves to the club’s fans and get everyone excited about the new signing, but it also puts a lot of pressure on the player to perform.
When Barcelona signed Antoine Griezmann, he was unveiled in front of thousands of fans at the Camp Nou and did a very impressive juggling routine. However embarrassingly, some players over the years have struggled to live up to the hype or pressure!
Overall though, however, 99% of professional soccer players can juggle a ball quite comfortably. It’s just the odd one here and there that struggles from time to time!
Some of the best players in the world like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, and Mo Salah are all exceptional at keeping the ball up. They make it look so easy but no doubt they’ve put in hours and hours of practice to get to the level they are at.
Additional Facts About Juggling
- The world record for the longest time juggling a soccer ball is held by Martinho Eduardo Orige, who managed to keep the ball in the air for an impressive 19 hours and 31 minutes!
- The longest distance ever covered while juggling a soccer ball is just over 21 kilometers, a record held by Arash Ahmadi Tifakani.
- The record for most touches in 1 minute whilst juggling a soccer ball is 269 and is held by an American lady Nicole Terani.
- From a young age, Diego Maradona showed signs that he was destined to become a great soccer player. One of his earliest tricks was juggling a golf ball with ease. It’s no wonder he’s now considered one of the greatest players of all time!
- And finally, the record for most times juggling a soccer ball in one hour is 3,737 and is also held by Pablo Meana!
Juggling Soccer Ball FAQs
How Long Does It Take To Learn To Juggle a Soccer Ball?
This is a difficult question to answer as everyone learns at a different pace. Some people might be able to learn in a matter of days or weeks, whereas others might take months or even years. The important thing is to keep practicing and don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results immediately.
Why Can’t I Juggle a Soccer Ball?
There could be several reasons why you can’t seem to juggle a soccer ball. It might be that you’re not using the right technique, or it could be that you’re just not putting in enough practice. Remember, it takes time and patience to learn how to juggle a soccer ball so don’t give up.
What Footwear Should I Wear To Practice Juggling?
Ideally, you should wear soccer boots or cleats as they will give you the best possible grip on the ball. However, if you don’t have any, then any type of runner or sneaker should do as long as they are comfortable.
How Do I Keep My Balance While Juggling a Soccer Ball?
If you find yourself off-balance whilst juggling, then it’s likely that you’re not using the correct technique. Remember to keep your hands close to your body, head up, and eyes on the ball at all times. With a bit of practice, you’ll find it easier to keep your balance.
Conclusion
Juggling a soccer ball is a great way to improve your ball control and coordination. It might take some time to learn how to do it, but it’s definitely worth the effort.
Not only will it make you a better player, but it will also provide entertainment for those watching you!
So what are you waiting for? Start practicing today and who knows, you might even beat one of the records mentioned above!
Are you able to juggle a soccer ball? What is your record of ‘keepie uppies’? Let us know in the comments below!
Read More: Are looking for ways to improve your soccer skills? Keep reading for all the tips and tricks you need and learn how to kick a soccer ball like a pro.
