5 Ways To Juggle A Soccer Ball - WikiHow

Home » How To Juggle Soccer Ball » 5 Ways To Juggle A Soccer Ball - WikiHow

Maybe your like

Skip to ContentQuizzes
  • Home
  • Random
  • Browse Articles
  • Quizzes & Games
  • All QuizzesHot
  • Love Quizzes
  • Personality Quizzes
  • Fun Games
  • Dating Simulator
  • Learn Something New
  • Forums
  • Courses
  • Happiness Hub
  • Explore More
  • Support wikiHow
  • About wikiHow
  • Log in / Sign up
Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Juggle a Soccer Ball PDF download Download Article Co-authored by Daniel Leon

Last Updated: March 10, 2025 Fact Checked

PDF download Download Article
  • Starting with the Ball in Your Hands
    • |
  • Alternating Feet
    • |
  • Starting with the Ball on Your Foot
    • |
  • Using your Knees
    • |
  • Using Other Parts of Your Body
    • |
  • Video
    • |
  • Q&A
    • |
  • Tips
|Show more |Show less ARTICLE VIDEO X

This article was co-authored by Daniel Leon. Daniel Leon played professional soccer in Spain and Poland from 2011-2013. Before playing professionally, he played on the Stanford University Varsity Soccer Team. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 858,101 times.

Learning how to juggle a soccer ball is a great way to impress your soccer buddies, gain better balance, and control the ball during a game. While juggling may seem difficult at first, the key to absolute success is to practice, practice, practice. Follow these steps to learn how to juggle with your feet, thighs, head, and shoulders--you'll be juggling like a pro in no time!

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 5:

Starting with the Ball in Your Hands

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Juggle a Soccer Ball 1 Hold the ball straight out in front of you so that it is at the height of your chest. Drop it and let it bounce. As the ball begins to descend after this bounce, kick it back up into the air. Try to kick it with your dominant foot hard enough that it reaches chest height.[1] Try to kick the ball with your foot angled slightly upward. Make sure to kick the ball with your laces.
    • Make sure that your laces are not double knotted at first. The ball may bounce off of your laces at a weird angle if your laces are tied in a large knot.
    • If you deflate the soccer ball a little bit, you will reduce the intensity of its bounce. The ball will be easier to control and won’t go flying every time you miss a kick. Once you’ve mastered the technique of juggling, you should fully inflate your ball.
    • Keep your ankle 'locked' so that it stays angled and strong. A wobbly ankle leads to a wobbly kick.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Juggle a Soccer Ball 2 Keep your knees slightly bent. Doing this will help you have better control over the ball. Do not lock your knees. Keep the foot you are not kicking with (your controlling foot) flat and firmly planted on the ground.[2]
    • It is important to be balanced while juggling the ball. In between touches, it is risky but useful to try to re-balance yourself such that you can maintain control of how you hit the ball each time. Always try to stay balanced on your toes, ready to make quick movements. The biggest key to balancing is to keep your knees bent and your eyes on the ball.[3]
    Advertisement
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Juggle a Soccer Ball 3 Practice until you can easily and consistently catch the ball in front of your stomach. You should not have to lean or reach to catch the ball. Then do the same with your other foot. Keep in mind that juggling with your non-dominant foot will be harder. Keep at it!
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Juggle a Soccer Ball 4 Increase the number of times you let the ball bounce off your feet. Instead of catching the ball every time you kick it, kick it up into the air and as it falls, kick it up again rather than letting it bounce on the ground. Try to keep the ball under control.[4] Focus on juggling with one foot until you feel confident, then switch to the other foot. Practice until you feel confident juggling with both feet.
    • You can "catch" the ball on your foot with careful practice by cushioning the fall of the ball and holding it in place with your foot and shin.
    5. Advertisement
Method 2 Method 2 of 5:

Alternating Feet

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Juggle a Soccer Ball 1 Drop the ball and let it bounce. Kick it up with your right foot. Try to keep the kick controlled and aim to kick the ball straight up in the air. Try to kick it no higher than your waist.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Juggle a Soccer Ball 2 Let the ball drop and then kick it up with your left foot. Again, try to keep your kick light and controlled so that the ball only goes up to your waist. Smaller kicks are easier to control and better for learning how to alternate feet. Be prepared for the fact that you will probably move around a lot while you learn how to alternate feet.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Juggle a Soccer Ball 3 Catch the ball once you have kicked it once with both feet. Readjust if you have moved around and then drop the ball again. When you have kicked the ball with both feet twice, catch the ball. Then try kicking it three times with both feet, then four times, etc. You'll have mastered this step when you can stand in one place and keep juggling the ball between your feet indefinitely.
    4. Advertisement
Method 3 Method 3 of 5:

Starting with the Ball on Your Foot

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Juggle a Soccer Ball 1 Place the ball at your feet. Take your dominant kicking foot, and place it on top of the ball. Roll your foot down the ball just strong enough to create backspin on the ball. Place your toe underneath the ball, and allow the ball to roll up your foot. Immediately kick the ball straight up, as if you were going to catch it with your hands.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Juggle a Soccer Ball 2 Position yourself so you can kick the ball up with your other foot. Do this as the ball comes back down. Alternate feet and continue to juggle as you learned how to do in the previous section. Every time the ball drops, do not pick it up--use your foot to roll the ball up on your laces and start juggling again.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Juggle a Soccer Ball 3 Keep the foot you are kicking with near the ground. Moving your leg up too high while you kick the ball will make you lose control of the ball. The power behind the ball comes from your foot, not from your leg.
    4. Advertisement
Method 4 Method 4 of 5:

Using your Knees

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Juggle a Soccer Ball 1 Lift one knee so that it is perpendicular to your body. Doing this will keep your thigh flat. A flat surface is much easier to juggle off of then an angular surface.
    • Try to juggle with your thighs only after you have mastered juggling with your feet. Juggling with your thighs is a way to add versatility to your juggling skills. It will also allow you to keep the ball more in control.
  2. Step 2 Hold the ball above your thigh. 2 Hold the ball above your thigh. Let the ball drop onto the middle part of your thigh. If you bounce the ball off of your knee, it is almost guaranteed to go flying out of reach.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Juggle a Soccer Ball 3 Juggle with your thighs the way you would juggle with your feet. Begin by bouncing the ball off your thigh and catching it. Repeat this process until you are able to control the direction of the ball and how high it goes with your thigh. Switch to the other thigh and repeat the process.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Juggle a Soccer Ball 4 Alternate between thighs. Do this when you feel confident that you can control the ball with both thighs.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Juggle a Soccer Ball 5 Alternate between your thighs and feet. Try kicking the ball with both feet and then both thighs. When you can do this without dropping the ball, try to bounce the ball off of each foot and thigh twice, then three times, and so on.
    6. Advertisement
Method 5 Method 5 of 5:

Using Other Parts of Your Body

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Juggle a Soccer Ball 1 Juggle the ball with your head. Throw or kick the ball above your head and then bounce it off of your forehead. Angle your face up so that the ball will hit on the top of your forehead. Keep your neck relaxed and bend your knees. Bending your knees will help you to stay balanced while you focus on the ball above you.[5]
    • You can use the top of your head to juggle but you will have much less control of the ball. It can also hurt to juggle with the top of your head--try to avoid doing this.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Juggle a Soccer Ball 2 Use your shoulders. While shoulders are hard to juggle with because they are not flat, you can use them to direct the ball where you want it to go. When you kick the ball up to your shoulder, move your shoulder upward and in the direction you would like the ball to go. For instance, you can kick the ball up with your right foot and then hit the ball with your right shoulder so that it arcs over your body and falls so that you can kick the ball up with your left foot.
    • Make sure to only use your shoulders and not your upper arm. Hitting the ball with any part of your arm besides your shoulders is considered a ‘handball’.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Juggle a Soccer Ball 3 Practice using your head, shoulders, and chest. Use the pattern of foot-chest-thigh-shoulder-head and repeat to get comfortable with using your shoulders and head.
    • Practice these techniques with a friend to create a variety of game-like scenarios.
    • When you feel comfortable with this pattern, switch it up and practice another pattern such as head-chest-foot-shoulder-thigh.
    4. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search Add New Question
  • Question How long does it take to learn to juggle a soccer ball? Community Answer Community Answer It takes as long as you need to learn it and everyone is different. If it takes you two months, but it takes your brother two years, it's fine -- don't worry, as everyone gets there in their own time. Of course, the more you practice, the sooner you'll be likely to learn how to do it. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 47 Helpful 162
  • Question I have been playing soccer for two years, but juggling is the one skill I have not been able to successfully learn. Do you have any other useful tips that might help me master this? Community Answer Community Answer Start by working on your control. For example, you could kick the ball towards a wall and control it. Once you master this throw the ball in the air whenever you think you can't control the ball, then start again and keep kicking the ball in the air. Then do a few keep ups. You need to have a good touch first for your other kick ups to go smoothly. Use other parts of your body for example knee, chest or head. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 34 Helpful 111
  • Question Which part of the foot should I use when juggling a soccer ball? Community Answer Community Answer Use the flat part of your foot. And remember, always start with your dominant foot. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 21 Helpful 116
See more answers Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement

Video

Reader Videos

Tips

  • Don't tense up. Be loose and relaxed. Thanks Helpful 131 Not Helpful 17
  • Try not to use too much power when you kick the ball. Thanks Helpful 125 Not Helpful 17
  • Avoid juggling the ball using your dominant foot for a long time; while it may be easier to do, it is important to strengthen both of your feet and ankles. Thanks Helpful 118 Not Helpful 17
Show More Tips

Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
  • If you want to kick the ball higher, hold it in front of you, put up your knee, let the ball go, and let it hit the middle of your leg.
  • If juggling with a single foot, practice while touching a wall with your opposite hand, and keep that hand stretched.
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

You Might Also Like

Win at Kick UpsHow toWin at Kick Ups Be Good at SoccerEasy Ways to Get Good at Soccer Do an Around the World in SoccerHow toDo an Around the World in Soccer How toJuggle Three Balls JuggleA Beginner’s Guide to Juggling (3, 4, or 5 Balls at Once) Juggle Two BallsHow toJuggle Two Balls Develop Good Soccer Dribbling SkillsHow to Improve Your Soccer Dribbling Skills Get Better at SoccerHow toGet Better at Soccer Knuckle a Soccer BallHow toKnuckle a Soccer Ball Dribble a Basketball Between the LegsHow toDribble a Basketball Between the Legs Kick a Soccer BallHow toKick a Soccer Ball Do a Rainbow in SoccerHow to Master the Rainbow Flick in Soccer Bend a Soccer BallHow toBend a Soccer Ball Head a Soccer BallHow toHead a Soccer Ball Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxVaMcHqcoU
  2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxVaMcHqcoU
  3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxVaMcHqcoU
  4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxVaMcHqcoU
  5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxVaMcHqcoU

About This Article

Daniel Leon Co-authored by: Daniel Leon Professional Soccer Player This article was co-authored by Daniel Leon. Daniel Leon played professional soccer in Spain and Poland from 2011-2013. Before playing professionally, he played on the Stanford University Varsity Soccer Team. This article has been viewed 858,101 times. 186 votes - 88% Co-authors: 140 Updated: March 10, 2025 Views: 858,101 Categories: Soccer Ball Tricks Article SummaryX

To juggle a soccer ball, start by holding the ball straight out in front of you at chest height. Next, drop the ball and let it bounce. After it bounces once, wait for the ball to descend again, then kick it back up in the air. Use your dominant foot to kick, and kick hard enough so that the ball moves back toward chest level. Also, kick the ball with your foot angled upward so you are making contact with your laces. As you kick, keep your ankle locked so your foot doesn't wobble, which will lead to a wobbly ball. For more tips from our Professional Soccer Player Reviewer, including how to juggle a soccer ball with your knees, keep reading! Did this summary help you?YesNo

In other languages Spanish Portuguese French Dutch German Italian Russian Chinese Indonesian Hindi Thai Arabic Japanese
  • Print
  • Send fan mail to authors
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 858,101 times.

Reader Success Stories

  • Maddie Small

    Maddie Small

    Oct 1, 2016

    "This really helped me, even though I haven't mastered juggling yet. Right now, my most is 11 juggles starting..." more
More reader stories Hide reader stories Share your story

Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Daniel Leon Co-authored by: Daniel Leon Professional Soccer Player Co-authors: 140 Updated: March 10, 2025 Views: 858,101 88% of readers found this article helpful. 186 votes - 88% Click a star to add your vote Maddie Small

Maddie Small

Oct 1, 2016

"This really helped me, even though I haven't mastered juggling yet. Right now, my most is 11 juggles starting..." more Anonymous

Anonymous

Jun 27, 2016

"I have been playing for twenty years. This article has given me the confidence and framework to learn how to..." more Tom Simons

Tom Simons

Sep 23, 2021

"I'm now amazing at football because I learnt this trick. I managed to show of to all my friends." Anonymous

Anonymous

Oct 8, 2023

"I passed p.e. because of this article, and I am one of the best freestylers in my school." Anonymous

Anonymous

May 24, 2017

"I liked that you discussed about how the ball starting in your hands helped." Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

Quizzes & Games

Am I Smart QuizAm I Smart QuizTake QuizYoga Pose RecommenderYoga Pose RecommenderGenerateAm I a Good Kisser QuizAm I a Good Kisser QuizTake QuizHow Awkward Am I QuizHow Awkward Am I QuizTake QuizAm I Good at Flirting QuizAm I Good at Flirting QuizTake QuizHow Lucky Am I QuizHow Lucky Am I QuizTake Quiz

You Might Also Like

Win at Kick UpsHow toWin at Kick UpsBe Good at SoccerEasy Ways to Get Good at SoccerDo an Around the World in SoccerHow toDo an Around the World in SoccerJuggle Three BallsHow toJuggle Three Balls

Featured Articles

Remove Shorts from Search Results on YouTubeHow toRemove Shorts from Search Results on YouTubeWhat Are the Korean Animal Face Types? (And Which Type Do You Have?)What Are the Korean Animal Face Types? (And Which Type Do You Have?)Being the Little Spoon While Cuddling: Is It Better Than the Big Spoon?Being the Little Spoon While Cuddling: Is It Better Than the Big Spoon?115+ Funny “Get Well Soon” Messages to Make Someone Laugh115+ Funny “Get Well Soon” Messages to Make Someone Laugh110+ “Fun Facts” for Interviews, Introductions, & Icebreakers110+ “Fun Facts” for Interviews, Introductions, & IcebreakersHow Long Would You Survive In A Zombie Apocalypse?How Long Would You Survive In A Zombie Apocalypse?

Trending Articles

Am I Chopped QuizAm I Chopped QuizCrush Calculator: Does Your Crush Like You Back?Crush Calculator: Does Your Crush Like You Back?Guess My Age QuizGuess My Age QuizHow Rare Is My Birthday QuizHow Rare Is My Birthday QuizHow Rich Will I Be QuizHow Rich Will I Be QuizWhat Color Is My Name QuizWhat Color Is My Name Quiz

Featured Articles

Roast Someone in a Rap Battle (Plus the Best Bars of All Time)How to Roast Someone in a Rap Battle (Plus the Best Bars of All Time)What Turns a Girl On? 31 Things to Try on Your PartnerWhat Turns a Girl On? 31 Things to Try on Your PartnerLove AnalyzerLove AnalyzerSending Your Sweetie a Love Note? Here are 200+ Romantic IdeasSending Your Sweetie a Love Note? Here are 200+ Romantic IdeasExercise Your BrainHow toExercise Your BrainBe a Fun Person to Hang out WithHow toBe a Fun Person to Hang out With

Featured Articles

What Does Your Morning Routine Say About You?What Does Your Morning Routine Say About You?Develop Productive HabitsHow toDevelop Productive HabitsPractice Self CareHow toPractice Self CareWhat Song Matches Your Life Right Now?What Song Matches Your Life Right Now?Will 2026 Be Your Year? Reveal Your FutureWill 2026 Be Your Year? Reveal Your FutureUnderstanding the Most Attractive Face Shapes (& Determining Your Own)Understanding the Most Attractive Face Shapes (& Determining Your Own)

Watch Articles

Iron PantsHow toIron PantsCut LimesHow toCut Limes Make Your Own Comforting Cinnamon TeaHow to Make Your Own Comforting Cinnamon TeaDraw 3D ShapesHow toDraw 3D ShapesMake a Sugar ScrubHow toMake a Sugar Scrub Wear a Scarf: 19 Different StylesHow to Wear a Scarf: 19 Different Styles

Trending Articles

Rank My Attractiveness QuizRank My Attractiveness QuizChildhood Trauma TestChildhood Trauma TestHypersexuality TestHypersexuality TestWhat's My Personality Based on My Song Choices QuizWhat's My Personality Based on My Song Choices QuizGuess My Deepest Secret QuizGuess My Deepest Secret QuizAm I Neurotypical or Neurodivergent QuizAm I Neurotypical or Neurodivergent Quiz

Quizzes & Games

What Blue Lock Character Am IWhat Blue Lock Character Am ITake QuizDo I Have Common Sense QuizDo I Have Common Sense QuizTake QuizWhat's My Fight Style QuizWhat's My Fight Style QuizTake QuizHow Tall Will I Be QuizHow Tall Will I Be QuizTake QuizCan We Guess How Tall You Are QuizCan We Guess How Tall You Are QuizTake QuizThe Impossible QuizThe Impossible QuizTake Quiz wikiHow
  • Categories
  • Sports and Fitness
  • Team Sports
  • Soccer
  • Soccer Ball Tricks
wikiHow Newsletter You're all set! Helpful how-tos delivered toyour inbox every week! Sign me up! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy.
  • Home
  • About wikiHow
  • Experts
  • Jobs
  • Contact Us
  • Site Map
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Info
  • Not Selling Info
  • Contribute

Follow Us

×

wikiHow Tech Help Pro:

Develop the tech skills you need for work and life

Let's do this! X --708

Tag » How To Juggle Soccer Ball