Improving your ball control is essential if you’re looking to up your game as a soccer player. Whether you’re playing professionally or just having fun with friends, being able to master the ball is a huge advantage. Luckily, you don’t need a field or a team to practice—these 5 soccer drills can help you enhance your ball control right from home.
What Makes Ball Control So Important?
Ball control is one of the most fundamental skills in soccer. If you can receive, pass, and dribble the ball smoothly, you’ll set yourself apart on the field. A good first touch can help you maintain possession, beat defenders, and set up plays. It’s all about making the ball work for you, rather than letting it control you.
The beauty of ball control drills is that they don’t require a lot of space. You can practice in your living room, backyard, or even a small garage. All you need is the ball and a bit of focus. Let’s dive into some drills that will take your ball control to the next level.
1. Juggling: The Ultimate Ball Control Drill
Juggling the ball is a classic drill that many pros use to improve their touch. It’s not just about keeping the ball off the ground—it’s about developing a sense of balance, rhythm, and finesse. By juggling, you’ll improve your ability to control the ball in the air, which is crucial for passing and receiving during games.
Here’s how to get started:
- Start by holding the ball in your hands and gently dropping it onto your foot.
- Use the top of your foot to tap the ball back up into the air. Try to keep the ball low and controlled.
- Focus on using both feet. Alternate between your right and left foot to improve your coordination.
- Gradually increase your juggling time. Challenge yourself to keep the ball in the air for longer periods as you get better.
Helpful Hint:
Start slow and focus on getting the right feel for the ball. Once you’ve got the basics down, challenge yourself to do 50 juggles in a row. It’s a great way to build both your ball control and your mental toughness.
2. Passing Against a Wall
Another great drill for ball control is passing against a wall. This exercise will help improve your touch and accuracy, both of which are crucial for controlling the ball under pressure. Plus, you can do this drill by yourself, making it ideal for home practice.
To perform this drill, follow these steps:
- Find a sturdy wall with enough space for you to kick the ball.
- Pass the ball against the wall using the inside of your foot. Focus on a controlled, accurate pass.
- Once the ball returns to you, take a controlled touch to stop it and pass it again. Practice receiving the ball with different parts of your foot—inside, outside, and instep.
As you progress, you can increase the difficulty by:
- Varying the distance between you and the wall.
- Using one-touch passing for faster, more dynamic control.
- Passing with both feet to improve your versatility.
Helpful Hint:
Start with short passes and gradually increase the distance. The more accurate your passes are, the better your ball control will become. This drill helps you become comfortable with the ball at your feet, no matter where you are on the field.
3. The Cone Dribble: Control While Moving
Dribbling is a key aspect of ball control, and the cone drill is one of the best ways to practice your dribbling skills. It will help you improve your ability to maneuver around obstacles and keep the ball close to your feet, even at speed.
Set up a few cones or any objects in a line or zigzag pattern, then follow these steps:
- Dribble the ball through the cones, using small touches to keep the ball under control.
- Try to keep the ball close to your feet, without letting it get too far ahead of you.
- Work on both your dominant and non-dominant foot to improve your overall ball control.
This drill mimics the movements you’ll make when navigating through defenders in a game, so the more you practice, the better you’ll be at keeping the ball close in tight spaces.
Helpful Hint:
If you’re struggling with control, slow down the drill and focus on making the smallest touches possible. As you gain confidence, try to speed up without losing your touch on the ball.
4. First Touch Control Drill
Your first touch is vital for maintaining possession and setting up plays. This drill is perfect for improving your ability to control the ball on the first bounce.
Here’s how to improve your first touch:
- Place the ball on the ground and stand about 5-10 feet away from it.
- Kick the ball to yourself and then take a controlled touch to stop it from bouncing too far away.
- Practice using different parts of your foot for the first touch—inside, outside, and sole.
As you get better, try increasing the distance from the ball or add a second touch to keep the ball under control. The goal is to be able to stop the ball and immediately play a pass or make a move.
Helpful Hint:
Focusing on soft touches will allow you to control the ball more effectively. Avoid hitting the ball too hard; instead, think of cushioning it with your foot. This way, you’ll retain possession even when under pressure.
5. The Box Drill: A Full Control Challenge
For a more advanced ball control drill, the box drill is a great exercise that requires you to use every part of your body to control the ball. It’s a fast-paced drill that helps improve both your footwork and your reaction time.
Here’s how to do it:
- Create a square or box using cones. Each side should be around 10-12 feet long.
- Start by dribbling the ball around the perimeter of the box, keeping the ball close at all times.
- Use different parts of your foot to dribble and change direction quickly.
- Try to complete the drill without letting the ball go outside the box. Focus on keeping it under control as you move through the turns.
This drill is perfect for improving your ball control under pressure and helps build confidence in tight spaces.
Helpful Hint:
The key to this drill is quick, sharp movements. Don’t overthink the ball; let your body react to the ball naturally. With time, you’ll be able to dribble in smaller spaces with more control.
How to Track Your Progress with Ball Control Drills
As with any skill, improvement takes time and dedication. The key to mastering ball control is consistent practice. But how do you track your progress? Here are a few tips to ensure you’re improving and making the most out of your practice sessions:
- Record your progress: Keep track of how long you can juggle, how accurately you can pass the ball against the wall, or how quickly you can dribble through cones.
- Focus on consistency: Ball control isn’t just about doing the drills right once. Make sure you’re consistently improving by challenging yourself to perform each drill more accurately or faster.
- Set goals: For example, aim to juggle the ball 50 times in a row or dribble through the cones without losing control for five consecutive rounds. Setting specific, measurable goals helps you stay motivated.
One thing that will really help speed up your progress is recording yourself while practicing. Whether you’re juggling, dribbling, or passing against a wall, watching your technique on video will help you notice mistakes you wouldn’t otherwise catch. It’s like having a coach right in your pocket.
Helpful Hint:
Use a stopwatch to time yourself during each drill. Time is a great way to add a bit of intensity to your practice. For example, try completing your cone drill in under 30 seconds. Gradually work on reducing the time as your control improves.
Why These Drills Work for Ball Control
By now, you’re probably wondering why these drills are so effective. The reason is simple: They all focus on building the essential components of ball control, like touch, balance, and coordination.
When you juggle, for instance, you’re training your foot to react quickly and keep the ball in the air. When you pass against a wall, you’re improving your accuracy and getting used to receiving the ball with a controlled touch. The cone dribbling drill teaches you how to keep the ball close in tight spaces—something you’ll need to do constantly during a game.
Each of these drills mimics real-game scenarios, giving you the opportunity to develop muscle memory and control the ball instinctively. When you step onto the field, it will feel natural to trap the ball, make a quick pass, or slip past a defender.
Stats:
Studies show that soccer players who practice basic ball control drills for 20 minutes a day see a 30% improvement in first-touch accuracy over just one month of consistent practice (source: Soccer Skills Academy).
How Often Should You Practice These Ball Control Drills?
Consistency is key when it comes to improving your ball control. To see noticeable improvement, aim to practice these drills at least 3-4 times a week. You don’t need to spend hours on end practicing—20 to 30 minutes of focused training per session is plenty. The more often you practice, the quicker you’ll develop your ball control skills.
Additionally, don’t forget to add variety to your training routine. You might want to combine these drills with other soccer exercises, like sprinting or agility work, to improve your overall fitness and performance.
Helpful Hint:
Try to stick to a set schedule so you can see improvements over time. Track your progress weekly by setting personal records for each drill, and don’t forget to challenge yourself to beat your own bests!
Tips for Staying Motivated During Ball Control Practice
We all know how hard it can be to stay motivated when practicing solo at home. Without teammates to push you, it’s easy to lose focus. But here are a few ways to stay motivated during your ball control practice:
- Mix up your routine: Keep your practice sessions exciting by switching up the drills. For instance, you could alternate between juggling, passing against the wall, and dribbling around cones each session.
- Set short-term and long-term goals: Short-term goals, like improving your juggling streak or reducing your time on the cone drill, give you a sense of accomplishment. Long-term goals, like mastering your first touch or being able to dribble through defenders with ease, help you stay focused.
- Track your progress: As mentioned earlier, use a camera to record yourself. Comparing your earlier videos to your current performance can be a great motivator and give you a real sense of how far you’ve come.
Another great way to stay motivated is by watching professional soccer matches or highlight reels of players with excellent ball control. Take notes on their first touch, dribbling, and how they control the ball under pressure. Then, try to implement these techniques in your own practice sessions.
Helpful Hint:
Invite a friend to join your practice sessions. Having a buddy to pass the ball to or work on drills together with can make the practice feel more like a game, and it’ll keep you motivated.
FAQs
Wrapping Up
Improving ball control is a key factor in becoming a better soccer player. By focusing on consistent practice with the right drills, you can develop more precise touches, better dribbling skills, and an overall enhanced sense of control over the ball. Whether you’re practicing juggling, wall-passing, or cone-dribbling, each drill plays a crucial role in developing your ability to handle the ball like a pro. As with any skill, practice makes perfect, and staying motivated is key to your progress. Track your improvements, set goals, and push yourself to reach new milestones. With time and dedication, you’ll see significant improvements in your ball control, setting you up for success on the field.