Juggling is a crucial part of developing quality soccer ball control. It is the cornerstone of perfecting ball control and should be practiced by soccer players of all levels. Professional soccer players still practice their juggling (perhaps with some more advanced techniques) even with their superior ball control. If you are committed to improving your soccer ball control you’re going to have to spend a significant amount of time practicing different juggling techniques and combinations.
Juggling is an integral component of improving your basic soccer skills. Especially during their youth, Soccer players should practice their juggling to ensure they are continually improving their ball control. It will benefit them in several ways; improve their first touch, increase receiving ability, and develop touch in both feet.
As a youth player (or someone with limited ball control), I would suggest juggling every day. Initially focus on keeping the ball up with both feet, alternating between right and left foot after each touch. Work on beating your record each day. If you made 10 juggles the first day, go for 12 the next. A commitment to constant improvement is what is going to help you become a better soccer player. If you don’t have this mindset, and you’re serious about becoming better, I strongly suggest you pick it up.
Juggling Tip #1 – Daily Juggle Session.
As busy as I’m sure you are, if you’re serious about improving your soccer ball control, you’ll have to work on it every day. Regardless of how much time you can spare, whether it be 10 minutes or 10 hours. Juggle every day. A dedication to constant improvement will result in improvement. Wow, what a concept!
I would recommend you keep practicing this basic juggling until you can consistently get to 100 juggles. Once you are capable of this, you may then implement different juggling techniques and combinations to further improve your soccer ball control.
Juggling Tip #2 – Get off your knees!
For some reason many players focus on juggling with their knees or thighs rather than their feet (mainly because it’s easier). If this is your case, get off your knees and onto your feet no matter how difficult you may find it. Although, being able to use your knees and thighs properly can be a valuable soccer skill. Think about how often you use your feet during a game, compared to how often you use your knees…
During a match there will be many instances when the soccer ball isn’t on the ground but you will still be required to gain control of the ball and move forward. Juggling replicates these instances and allows you to become comfortable with the soccer ball, no matter where it may be in relation to your body.
Once you become comfortable with basic juggling techniques you can begin to practice different juggling techniques and combinations using different parts of the foot as well as other body parts (except your hands, of course). A confident player can effectively control the soccer ball using all different parts of the foot and body; this is soccer ball control. The best soccer players are able to control the ball using the inside, outside and even back of their boot. You should work on doing the same.
Consistent juggling will lead to better soccer ball control and in turn help you become a better soccer player.
Stay posted for an upcoming article and video entry on some juggling combinations you can practice to better your ball control.
Remember to always practice your juggling no matter what your age or skill level. There is always room for improvement. Juggle every chance you get, if there is some downtime during practice get the ball in the air and work on your juggling. Use every opportunity to improve yours skills. That’s the secret to becoming a better soccer player (shhh.. don’t tell anyone 
). Just remember to keep challenging yourself with new juggling techniques, exercises, and combinations.
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I cant juggle what so ever. Does that make me a bad soccer player overall
jackspades17 Reply:
June 7th, 2010 at 12:40 am
No not at all.
I know lots of players who can’t juggle at all but are still effective on the Soccer pitch.
However, if you want to become a better Soccer player (and if your reading this blog I’m guessing that you probalby do), then juggling is something you should use to improve your technical game.
Juggling will improve your ball control and first touch.
So even though you may be a Good Soccer player now. You can still use this valuable practice tool to become better.
I was wondering,
I’m preparing for a trial for my town’s club(french 1st division) youth development center (I’m 16) which will be next January… Here’s my records…. 5000 both feet, 340 for my right feet and 310 for my left, 135 with my thighes and 111 head juggles… Now I’m trying to do a hundred juggles with each part of my body without trying more than a few times (I mean mastering each type of juggle).
PS: In football trials will I have to juggle with only one thigh or will I be able to juggle with both(?
jackspades17 Reply:
August 4th, 2010 at 4:53 am
That is very impressive. Good juggling skills for someone your age.
Honestly, at most trials they don’t make you do juggling exercises and if they did I think you would do just fine.
Most trial selections are based on your In Game Performances. Play well during your training sessions and be an effective player (make an impact on the game) and you shouldn’t have any problems.
To expand your juggling skills you should practice juggling with different parts of your feet. Inside, Outside, and even the Heel of your boot. Also you can practice juggling with inside or outside curve.
alexis Reply:
August 26th, 2010 at 4:09 am
I’ll have a go at it tomorow next time I’m warming up… Juggling really helps me play one touch soccer and knowing how to juggle with the inside, the outside and the heel of my boot can help me master one touch soccer because it will help me pass the ball anywhere with just one touch.
Im a junior this year in high school and i just started playing soccer for the first time in my life. I really enjoy this sport but also really want to make the varsity team next year. what can i do to help me get better and have a higher chance of making the varsity team next year
jackspades17 Reply:
September 9th, 2010 at 9:17 am
Well you need to take care of all areas of your game: Physcial, Mental, Tactical, and Technical.
So take the time to address each seperately. Take care of your physical fitness; weight training, running, sprinting, and stretching are all great ways to improve your physical fitness and need to be implemented into your training regime.
Technical skills are essential to play at a top level. Become comftorable with the ball. I would recommend keeping a ball with you around the house, every where you go, work on your dribbling and ball control. Juggle, daily, once you can reach 500 consistently. You need to practice.
You can improve your tactics simply by watching players better than you. If you don’t have any teams in your area, all you need is a TV. Watch professional soccer, track the players, watch their position, the role they play, and their patterns of play.
Mental discipline comes with time. My advice… be extremely confident in yourself. Expect things to happen for you. Never think about failing, always think about succeding. But remember, failures can be good, the teach you what not to do, if you want to succeed.