Soccer Freestyle Master: The Finale

In this post, some of the most difficult skills will be explained. Even I still have trouble doing some of these tricks but eventually, You and I could do some of these with some more practice. As mentioned a million times before, stretching is a key factor before beginning to attempt any freestyle move. Let's start with a trick that isn't even mentioned in the text.

This is one trick I still cannot do consistently but attempt and practice regularly. The description of the move is pulling up the ball behind your leg and kicking it hard enough against the ground to bounce over your head and start juggling. Looks like a hassle but simple to understand, hard to master.

First, start with the ball behind your weak leg and keep your other foot's toe behind it.

Next, you want to roll the ball up the back of your leg quickly and high enough to where you can kick it hard enough to fly over your head.

(I couldn't take a picture of me doing it) This picture doesnt show it but you should roll it up your leg and should take your foot off the ball and quickly kick it downwards against the ground for it to bounce over your head. It'll take some serious practice but it's do-able.

The next move is the well known around the world. Everyone does it and it's not an easy move. How I like to start it is with the foot flick and immediately afterwards attempt to do it. "Around the World is one of the most popular tricks in modern soccer and has been featured in several commercials as well" (Mirsad 63) 

 As shown here, a foot flick is executed and then you quickly raise your knee around the ball and grab the ball before it touches the ground. It most definitely is hard but it can be done.

Did you enjoy learning about soccer? Are you going to practice and get better at juggling? Let me know!

Soccer Freestyle Master: Novice Tricks (Part 2)

There are plenty of tricks that you can do in a game that can also apply to juggling. An example would be the single foot balancer. I will say it is a bit difficult to do if you're inexperienced but with the right practice and mindset, anyone can do it. As always, make sure you're stretched and loose to prevent tightness of your hamstring, quads, and/or any other part of your body.

The single foot balancer is in the name, you are trying to balance the ball on top of your foot without letting it fall. The first step is setting up for the foot flick.

 Start with the ball in front of you with your foot firmly on top of the ball. Then you roll it back until it reaches the top of your toes.

 Once it's on top of your toes, you need to quickly and smoothly dig your foot under the ball and try to keep the ball on top of your foot without letting it fall.

Of course, this move is difficult if it's your first time executing it but with enough practice, it'll be easy. This move can be useful in a game. "This trick, like the previous feet flick, is useful for when you find yourself standing still but want to strike the ball with a volley or just quickly clear it away" (Mirsad 33). The quicker you do it the better because it'll get the ball away from pressure immediately. 

How many juggles can you do already? 

Hasic, Mirsad. Soccer Freestyle Master. San Bernardino, California: Copyright - Mirsad Hasic, November 15, 2016. Print.

Soccer Freestyle Master: Novice Tricks

Now that you know the basics of juggling, it's time to move onto some more intermediate juggling tricks. Some are straight forward, some are a little more difficult than others. But, practice makes perfect so make sure you take the time to try some of these out. Always make sure you're nice and loose. Do any necessary stretching and jogging to loosen your legs.

To start off, we're going to do the feet flick. It's really straightforward and easy to understand. Keep both your toes on the sides of the ball:

Make sure they're right next to the ball
but not close enough to where they are touching.

And simply push them against each other under the ball to make the ball air bound.

Pretty straightforward. "This is a trick that can be used when you want to lift the ball high enough so that you can strike it with a volley from the standing still position" (Mirsad 31). Other than that it's useful to get the ball air bound to start juggling.

What else do you think a move like this could be used for? In juggling or for a soccer match?

Hasic, Mirsad. Soccer Freestyle Master. San Bernardino, California: Copyright - Mirsad Hasic, November 15, 2016. Print.

Soccer Freestyle Master - The Basics (Part 2)

As you may already know you cannot use your hands in soccer unless you are the goal keeper or are doing a throw in from out of bounds. So to compensate for that we can use any other part of our bodies to keep the ball under control. This includes head, thighs, chest, even your shoulder. Before we begin, make sure that you are warmed up by doing things such as jogging, stretching, or juggling.

"Juggling with your thighs might look tricky at first glance but it's actually no harder than any other juggling technique" (21). When juggling with your thigh make sure that you keep the ball in the middle of your thigh. Not too close to your hip but not close to your knee either. This gives it the most control and the right amount of bounce to keep it in the air.

Its in the center of my thigh and it has enough bounce to hit once more

Make sure you use both thighs to switch in between bounces. The more you practice the better.

Once again in the center which will give it enough air time.

With your head you have to hit the ball with your forehead. This is because it's the strongest part of your head and it won't hurt if you hit it there. The top of your head may hurt after a while and if you hit it too hard with the top of your head, it could potentially cause injury. I do not have any pictures of me practicing this but it's simple enough to where you can do it on your own. Make sure your knees are slightly bent and straighten them out right before you hit the ball. ITS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU KEEP YOUR MOUTH CLOSED WHEN PERFORMING HEAD JUGGLING!!! This is because the ball may hit your forehead hard enough to where it'll close your mouth and you do not want to bite your tongue! Trust me it's happened to me before and it is not pleasant.

It's very important to use your head, thigh, and chest in juggling and in a real match as well. It'll help you maintain the ball under control to quickly pass or to dribble. 

Which part of your body do you think is the least useful when juggling?

Hasic, Mirsad. Soccer Freestyle Master. San Bernardino, California: Copyright - Mirsad Hasic, November 15, 2016. Print.

Soccer Freestyle Juggling - The Basics

Soccer is a very fun, challenging and mental sport but there are some times where you want a ball at your feet and just play. This is where soccer juggling comes in. It is a very fun and sometimes beneficial activity to do whether you're bored or want to improve however it's not a mandatory part of soccer. It could potentially help you improve by giving nicer and shorter touches on the ball. (1) "Sometimes you will want to have fun by yourself, just you and the ball, alone, without anyone to preside over you or it". (2)

Source: http://www.epicsoccertraining.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/how-to-dribble-a-soccer-ball-faster.jpg

The first thing you should do is a warm-up. "Prior to every soccer tricks session, you need a few minutes warming up. By doing this you will greatly reduce the risk of unnecessary hurt and injury" (9) You don't need to spend much time doing it. 10 minutes should be enough time and 5 minutes of that time should be spent jogging while the remaining time should be touches on the ball. Warming up will definitely help you perform better. Whenever I warm up it makes my legs feel lighter and faster. Stretching is also recommended.

Now, the first basic skill of juggling is, of course, juggling, or keeping the ball in the air. You may use a single foot or you could use both feet. All it consists of is tapping the ball with your foot and keeping it in the air. 

Here it is with my Right foot

Here it is with my Left foot

Whenever you juggle try to keep it under your chest for the most control. You want to be able to see both your feet and the ball for maximum control. Once you've got it down, try alternating feet while it's airborne.

Another basic skill of juggling is the Foot Flick. It goes hand and hand with juggling and should help you from using your hands to start juggling. It's quite simple but you should always practice using it. 

The first thing you do is have your foot at the top of the ball. Don't have the ball directly under you but rather 1-2 feet ahead of you. 

The Second step is rolling the ball towards you at a nice pace. You want to keep rolling until your foot is under the ball and you can no longer roll it. 

The third step is lifting your toes, once your foot is under the ball. If done correctly the ball should roll on top of your foot and all you need to do is lift your toes fast so it should get in the air. 

Do you think soccer juggling is an important aspect of Soccer? 

Hasic, Mirsad. Soccer Freestyle Master. San Bernardino, California: Copyright - Mirsad Hasic, November 15, 2016. Print.