How to Balance a Soccer Ball on Your Foot

When it comes to sports, soccer is perhaps among the most exciting, energy-filled and well-loved by people, adults and children alike. Known in England as football, this team sport involves two teams with 11 players each, aiming to kick a ball and pass it to each other, then finally putting it through a goal at the end of the playing field.

Soccer is exhilarating, but just like other outdoor sports, it requires discipline and control. If you’re a soccer player, the more control you have over your body and the ball, the more agile and successful athlete you will be. One way of enhancing your control is by learning how to balance a soccer ball on your foot. Even if you’re not a soccer player, knowing this trick will certainly impress other people.

What You’ll Need

• Soccer ball
• A flat surface, like a driveway or field.
• Shin guards (optional)
• Cleats (optional)

How To Do It

1. Place the soccer ball in front of you, just at the base of your feet.
2. Choose the foot where you’ll be balancing the ball. It’s better to use the foot you’re more comfortable with, or your dominant foot. This is the one you have more control with. If you’re able to master this with your dominant foot, you can use the other.
3. Carefully roll the ball up on your foot, then place your foot loosely on top of the soccer ball. Pull your foot back quickly, to create a backspin. Move your foot simultaneously, so it’s under the ball.
4. Create a little cradle in between your shin and your foot’s end, by arching your ankle upwards.
5. Slowly raise your foot from the ground, carefully balancing the soccer ball in between the cradle you created.
6. Extend your foot slowly, until it’s parallel to the ground again.
7. Try to find a sense of balance using the ball of your foot. Hold it there as long as you can. You’ve now successfully balanced a soccer ball on your foot!

Tips To Remember

• It’s better to do this while you have your soccer cleats or your sneakers on, rather than doing it barefoot, or with your socks.
• Try balancing the ball with your foot against a wall first, if you’re having difficulty.
• Relax. Don’t lose hope if you don’t get it the first time, and don’t allow other people’s taunting to distract you. Letting others distract you only makes you lose your concentration.
• Always keep your eye on the ball.
• Don’t hold it for too long, or you might pull a muscle.
• If you succeed, try to do it twice in a row, then three times, then so on.

One of the keys to being a good soccer player is practicing proper balance, and mastering physical control. Learning how to balance a soccer ball on your foot is a good way to learn these disciplines. Try these tactics for yourself and see how good you do with this exercise.