7 Simple Ball Mastery Drills In Soccer

The first thing a kid does to a soccer ball is to kick it BUT do you realize that keeping it longer on the feet can be very beneficial? Here are 7 simple ball mastery drills in soccer that will help your kid control the ball with any part of the feet.

Ball mastery is a skill that can be learned if your kid is committed to the training.

Follow me as I go through each drill:

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Definition

I found the definition from Michael Richardson Football Academy to be the best for describing ball mastery:

“Ball Mastery is the practice of technical routines in a tight amount of space which allows them to get literally hundreds of touches on the ball in a short amount of time. The practice challenges players to control and manipulate the ball with all the different surfaces of their feet. The tight spaces condition players to take complete care with each and every touch of the ball so as to prevent them from losing it”

Training Tips

1. Always warm up, stretch, and warm-down
2. Do the drill properly even if it means slowing down
3. Use arms for balance
4. Rest and hydrate after each drill
5. Record each drill so you can see your kid’s progress

Equipment needed

1. Soccer ball – see correct ball size on Official Soccer Ball Size – The Parent Guide
2. Some training space
3. Pen and paper to record your kid’s progress

1. Front Toe-Heel Roll

Duration: 10 minutes, 5 minutes for each foot

This is a stationary drill that your kid does not need to run but stands in one position.

Start with the right foot and after completing the set, switch to the left foot.

Actually, your kid can start with any foot.

Drill Steps

1. Stand with the right toe behind the ball
2. Roll the ball forward.
3. Until it reached the heel
4. Reverse the motion until the right toe is behind the ball again
5. Repeat step 2

Variations & Tips

1. Your kid can hold on to a chair or wall for support
2. Start slow

2. Roll Outside-Inside

Duration: 10 minutes, 5 minutes for each foot

Another stationary drill uses the sole of the feet.

But instead of rolling the ball forward, your kid should roll it sideways.

Start with the right foot then the left.

Drill Steps

1. Stand with your right foot in the center of the ball
2. Roll the ball outside (right) until it reaches the inside of the foot
3. Reverse the motion (left) until it reaches the outside of the foot
4. Repeat step 2

Variations & Tips

1. Hold on to a chair for support
2. Start slow

3. Roll Sole-Outside Diagonally

Duration: 10 minutes, 5 minutes for each foot

Still a stationary drill, working on the feel of the ball to the feet.

As usual, start with the right then the left, and your kid can hold on to a chair for support.

After a while when your kid’s balance develops, the chair will no longer be needed.

Drill Steps

1. Stand with right foot lace behind the ball
2. Roll the ball diagonally outside (right)
3. Until it reaches the heel
4. Reverse the motion until it reaches the lace of the right foot
5. Repeat step 2

Variations & Tips

1. Hold on to a chair for support
2. Start slow

4. Roll Behind The Supporting Leg

Duration: 10 minutes, 5 minutes for each foot

This is the last stationary drill by standing in the same position and rolling the ball behind the standing foot.

Same as Drill 3 above but done behind your kid’s supporting leg

Start with any foot.

Drill Steps

1. Stand with left foot on the ball
2. Roll the ball outside (left) until it reaches the inside of the foot
3. Reverse the motion (right), slightly past behind the standing foot, until it reaches the lace of the foot
4. Repeat step 2

Variations & Tips

1. Start slow
2. Hold on to a chair for support

5. Toe Taps

Duration: 15 minutes, 5 minutes each for stationary, forward, and backward

This drill requires a coordinated movement of the body when taping the ball with the right and left foot.

It also has 2 other variations to include in the drill.

Start with either the left or right foot.

Drill Steps

1. Tap on top of the ball with the sole of the right foot
2. Return the right foot
3. And tap the ball with the left foot simultaneously
4. Repeat

Variations & Tips

1. Do the drill in the same position
2. Move forward
3. Move backward

6. Inside Taps

Duration: 15 minutes, 5 minutes each for stationary, forward, and backward

This drill involves tapping the ball inside the foot from left to right.

It does not matter which foot to start with.

Drill Steps

1. Tap the ball with the inside of the foot to the left foot
2. Tap the ball back with the inside of the right foot
3. Repeat the sequence

Variations & Tips

1. A smaller ball works better for a young kid

7. Triangles

Duration: 10 minutes, 5 minutes for each foot

This is a triangle-shaped drill using both feet to control the ball.

Start off with the right foot then the left foot – using the inside of the feet.

Drill Steps

1. Tap the ball forward with the right foot
2. With the sole of the left foot, drag the ball back towards you
3. Then tap it to the right foot
4. Repeat

Variations & Tips

1. In step 1, do not push the ball too far.

Conclusion

Ball mastery is one of the building blocks of soccer skills that need to be mastered and will bolster your kid’s confidence in overall soccer skills.

The 7 drills above are just basics for beginners and although they look simple, they require lots of practice and commitment.

The most important aspect of any drill is executing the correct technique rather than trying to complete the drill in the shortest amount of time possible.

Allocate a time every day to work on your kid’s ball mastery for quicker results.

Enjoy soccer and be safe.

Related: 13 Best Soccer Training Equipment For Kids 2020