How to Juggle in Soccer
Soccer is a sport that requires great touch. The meaning of touch is the way you control the ball. Juggling is a great way to improve your touch. Not only is it a great way to practice your touch but is also fun to do. It is not hard to do after you practice enough. World renowned soccer juggler Sean D'Arcy says "To get started drop the ball and let it bounce once, then kick it back up into your hands"(2). After you do this repetitively it will become natural for you to do, practicing this will make a difference on the field even you won't be juggling 24/7 in games. As you juggle make sure you don't kick the ball too high. Kick the ball to knee level or below, unless you are using your thighs, chest, or head. I never really practiced juggling on a consistent basis but after awhile it comes naturally.
While you are juggling make sure to try and notice mistakes that are messing you up so that you know what to fix. For example while you are juggling hit the ball in between your tarsals and metatarsals while kicking it with the right amount of strength. Sean D'Arcy says a good way for someone to start off learning is to kick the ball up with your stronger foot let it bounce and then kick it back up with your weaker foot(2). Because when you are juggling it is important to learn how to use both feet. It can become a bad habit to focus on just your stronger foot when you need to use both so you aren't handicapped on your opposite foot.
How do you think a player can progress their touch without juggling?
Sean D'Arcy. Freestyle Soccer Tricks: tricks, flick-ups, catches. Buffalo, New York: Firefly Books Inc., 2015. Print.
I think this is great advice! I remember when I started out juggling I did the exact same thing; where I would drop the ball from my hands and kick it back up to my feet. With repetition, it does start to come naturally. I've never been the strongest juggler out there, though, so to improve on my touch I would always kick against a wall or pass with my dad and he'd make me use different techniques. Would you say juggling is the best way to improve touch, or is there a more effective way that you've tried?
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