Freestyling 101 - How to Juggle a Ball in Soccer

Ever watched freestyle videos on YouTube or seen your favourite players juggle a ball? Looks cool, doesn’t it? We have to admit, that’s one of the best skills you could acquire as a football player. And while it may look like a flashy trick, juggling in soccer is a fundamental skill that helps build balance, control, and confidence.

In this guide, we break down how to juggle a ball in soccer from the very first touch to advanced tricks, whether you're a player trying to sharpen your skills or a club coach looking for training drills.

Why Learn to Juggle in Soccer?

 Juggling a ball isn’t just about looking cool. It improves:

• Foot-eye coordination
• Ball control under pressure
• First touch accuracy
• Rhythm and timing

Most importantly, it helps players get comfortable with the ball in every part of their foot—an essential skill in all areas of the pitch.

Step-by-Step: How to Juggle a Ball in Soccer

1. Start With Your Hands

If you're new to juggling, don't go straight to your feet. Begin by holding the ball in your hands, then drop it and let it bounce once before kicking it back up with your foot.

• Drop, then Bounce and then Kick and Catch
  Repeat this to get used to the feel and timing. Once you’re comfortable, try kicking it up without letting it bounce.

2. Master the Single Kick

The goal here is to control one kick, not a streak of 50.

• Use your dominant foot.
• Lock your ankle and keep your toes pointed slightly up.
• Hit the ball with your laces, not your toe or heel.
• Aim to kick it straight up, around waist or chest height.

Keep practicing until you can pop the ball up and catch it cleanly every time.

3. Add the Second Touch

Once the first kick feels natural, try adding a second one.

• Drop then Kick; Kick then Catch
  You’re now working on timing and consistency. Alternate between your right and left foot if possible.

If the ball spins away or flies forward, reset and try again. Control is the goal here, not speed.

4. Go for Consecutive Juggles

When you feel ready, skip the catch and see how long you can go.

• Aim for 3… then 5… then 10.
• Don't be afraid to use your thighs or foot-top if needed.
• Stay relaxed, as tension leads to mistakes.

Most beginners can reach 10 to 20 juggles with regular practice in under two weeks.

Which Body Parts Can You Use?

While juggles in football are most often done with the feet, players can legally and effectively use:

• Thighs – for more control and less movement
• Head – especially useful for practicing touch and balance.
• Shoulders – fun for freestylers but not commonly used in play

Using multiple body parts improves overall coordination and gives you more control options in match situations.

How Many Juggles Can a Professional Soccer Player Do?

The real answer: as many as they want.

Pro players can often go for hundreds or even thousands of juggles without dropping the ball. But keep in mind:

• Juggling isn’t a test of how “good” a player is, but a tool for building control.
• Many midfielders or defenders may not freestyle for long, but have excellent control on the pitch.

For context, freestyle experts have world records of over 10 hours of continuous juggling. So while most pros don’t train juggling for that long, they can easily hit 100+ if asked.

Juggling Tips for Faster Progress

Here are a few ways to improve your juggling faster and smarter:

1. Practice Every Day for 10 Minutes

Short, daily practice is more effective than one long weekly session.

2. Use a Size 3 or 4 Ball to Start

Smaller balls are easier to control and force better foot coordination.

3. Find a Quiet Space

You don’t need a pitch. Your backyard, garage, or even hallway works as long as there’s space to move.

4. Record Yourself

Watching playback helps identify bad habits like flicking toes or leaning too far back.

5. Use Both Feet

Even if you’re dominant-footed, developing your weaker side will help balance your game.

Common Mistakes When Learning How to Juggle a Soccer Ball

If you're struggling, you’re not alone. Here are some frequent issues and how to fix them:

• Ball flying forward? You’re leaning back or hitting the ball with your toe. Keep your chest over the ball and use your laces.
• Can’t control spin? Focus on hitting the center-bottom of the ball, not the side.
• Losing balance? Keep your arms out and your core tight. Juggling is as much about posture as it is about touch.

Using Juggling in Team Training

For clubs and coaches, juggling is a simple yet effective warm-up or skill-building drill. It promotes:

• Individual ball familiarity
• Friendly competition (who can do the most?)
• Mindfulness and focus before a session 

You can even create mini drills:

• Juggle x10 → Pass to a partner → Partner juggles x10.
• “One drop” challenge – the last player standing wins.
• Timed contests – most juggles in 1 minute.

What Ball Should You Use?

Training with a quality match ball makes a big difference. Low-pressure or unevenly stitched balls affect flight and bounce, making juggling harder.

At TX Football, our balls are designed for precision and consistency, perfect for both drills and freestyling. Whether you’re training juniors or senior players, a well-made ball means better touch, improved learning, and fewer frustrations.

Looking to upgrade your club’s training gear? We also offer custom footballs, letting you bring your club’s identity into every practice session, right down to juggling drills.

Juggling is a good skill to develop better ball control, sharper footwork, and more confidence on the field. Whether you're a young player learning the ropes or a coach developing your team’s technique, taking the time to learn how to juggle a ball in soccer will pay off in the long run.