Soccer Training - How to Juggle a Soccer Ball with your Feet by Online Soccer Academy

Summary

In this tutorial, Jared MTZ, a former pro and founder of Online Soccer Academy, demonstrates the basics of juggling with your feet. He emphasizes key techniques: letting the ball drop low, keeping the foot relaxed, using the knee for movement, and striking with the laces. Jared provides exercises to help practice, starting with single kicks and progressing to more advanced juggling. He also addresses common mistakes, offering solutions to improve technique. Lastly, he encourages viewers to set personal records and participate in the OSA World Jugon event, which helps raise funds for malaria prevention.

Takeaways

• ⚽ Key Point 1: Let the ball drop low before attempting to kick it; don't try to kick it when it's too high.
• 🦶 Key Point 2: Keep your foot relaxed and avoid curling it too far back. Keep it even for a better kick.
• 💪 Key Point 3: Generate power and movement from the knee down, not from a straight-leg kick.
• 👟 Key Point 4: Hit the ball with the laces of your foot, aiming for the middle part—not too high or too low.
• 🔁 Practice Drill: Start by tossing the ball in your hands, kicking it once, and catching it. Progress to multiple kicks and use your opposite foot.
• ❌ Common Mistake 1: If the ball is hitting your chest, shins, or thighs, your foot is curled back too much. Relax it to improve.
• ❌ Common Mistake 2: If the ball goes too far away or you need to reach forward, your leg is too straight. Bend your knee for better control.
• ⏳ Common Mistake 3: Toss the ball up slightly to give yourself more time to react and perform the juggling.
• 🤹 Advanced Practice: Once comfortable with foot juggling, try using other parts of your body to juggle.
• 🏆 Goal: Attempt to break your personal juggling record. Log your highest score on OnlineSoccerAcademy.com to track progress and challenge yourself.
• 🌍 Community Event: Participate in the OSA World Jugon to Benefit Nothing But Nets on April 25, 2011, to help fight malaria through juggling.

Q & A

What is the first key point when learning to juggle with your feet?

The first key point is to let the ball drop low before attempting to juggle it, instead of trying to kick it when it's too high.

Why is it important not to curl your foot all the way back while juggling?

Curling your foot back too far can cause improper contact with the ball. It is recommended to keep your foot relaxed and evened out for better control and accuracy.

Where should you make contact with the ball when juggling?

You should make contact with the ball using the laces of your foot, hitting it in the middle part, not too high or on your toes.

What part of the body provides the movement and power when juggling?

The power and movement for juggling come from the knee down. You should avoid kicking the ball with a straight leg.

What is the first exercise suggested for practicing juggling?

Start by tossing the ball up with your hands, then kick it once and catch it. Once comfortable, gradually increase the number of kicks before catching the ball.

What should you do if the ball keeps hitting your chest, shins, or thighs?

If this happens, it means your foot is curled back too far. Relax and straighten your foot a little to improve the ball's trajectory.

How can you correct the issue of the ball getting too far away from you?

If the ball is getting too far away, it means you're reaching forward with your leg too much. Focus on bending your knee to keep the ball closer.

What can you do if you're not giving yourself enough time to react to the ball?

Toss the ball higher before attempting to juggle it. A higher toss will give you more time to position yourself and react effectively.

What should you do once you feel comfortable juggling with your feet?

Once you're comfortable, start incorporating other parts of your body into the juggling routine, such as your thighs, chest, and head.

How can you track your progress in juggling?

After attempting to juggle, log your best performance on the Online Soccer Academy website. You can track your high scores and monitor your improvement.