Juggling for Beginners: How to Get Your First 10 Touches

Juggling won't win a match on its own, but it's one of the best ways to develop a soft, confident touch — and you can practise it anywhere, alone. Here's how to go from zero to your first ten touches, and beyond.

Why it helps

Juggling builds balance, coordination, and a feel for the ball's weight and spin. Players who juggle regularly tend to have calmer, more reliable first touches in games. It also builds patience and focus — useful traits far beyond soccer.

Start with the bounce

Don't start from the ground. Instead: drop the ball, let it bounce once, tap it back up with your laces, and catch it. Repeat. Catching between touches keeps it low-pressure while you build the motion.

Build it up

1. Bounce, one touch, catch. Repeat until it's easy.
2. Bounce, two touches, catch.
3. Remove the bounce: drop, one touch, catch.
4. Add touches before catching — 3, then 5, then 10.

Which part of the foot?

Use the laces (the flat top of the foot), not your toes. Keep your foot roughly flat or slightly toes-up, and make contact under the middle of the ball. Toe-poking sends the ball spinning off in random directions.

Beyond the feet

Once you're comfortable with feet, add other surfaces to keep the ball up longer:

• Thighs: catch the ball on the flat of your thigh, not the knee. Great for higher, softer touches.
• Alternating feet: left, right, left, right — this is the real test of control.
• Head: once you're advanced, add gentle headers into the mix.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Touches too high. Keep the ball around knee height — easier to control than head height.
• Tense legs. Stay relaxed; stiff legs send the ball flying.
• Toe-poking. Use the laces, foot flat.
• Giving up too early. Everyone drops it at first. Progress comes in small jumps.

Tips

• Lock your ankle and hit the ball with your laces, not your toes.
• Keep the touches low — knee height is easier to control than head height.
• Stay relaxed. Tense legs send the ball flying; small, gentle taps win.
• Track your personal best and try to beat it.

Watch it in action

Set yourself challenges

Juggling improves fastest when it's a game. Try to beat your record each day, aim for milestones (10, then 25, then 50), or challenge a teammate to see who lasts longest. Small daily targets keep it fun and motivating.

Once your touch feels soft, take it into our wall passing and cone weave drills.