Juggling and aerial control are exciting and beneficial skills for young soccer players to master. These activities are not only fun, but they also help improve essential abilities like coordination, balance, and focus. If your child is eager to develop these skills, here’s how you can support them in their journey.
The Importance of Juggling
You may occasionally hear some people question the significance of juggling in soccer, arguing that it’s not directly used in games. If you hear this, I recommend simply nodding and continuing with your practice. Juggling is far more than just keeping the ball in the air—it’s a key exercise for improving a player’s first touch and overall coordination. For younger players, it significantly enhances their balance and ability to use both feet effectively. Additionally, when done correctly, aerial control also improves shooting and finishing techniques.
Juggling in Real-Game Situations
Even at a young age, players need to be able to control the ball from various angles, whether it’s on the ground or in the air. Take a look at how my son, at just six years old, demonstrated excellent aerial control. Instead of randomly kicking the ball into the air like many kids do, he controlled the ball with precision and then juggled it toward the goal, setting up a potential scoring opportunity. This is just one example of how mastering aerial control is crucial in real-game situations.
Tips to Help Your Child Master Juggling
Now that you know how juggling can improve your child’s skills, here are a few practical tips to help them break their own juggling record.
Start with Simple Patterns
For beginners, juggling can feel overwhelming. Start by teaching your child simple patterns, like juggling two balls back and forth. Once they get comfortable with this, gradually introduce more balls or other props, like clubs or rings. Just like weightlifting, juggling helps to strengthen muscles and improve brain function. Your child will need time to build the necessary strength, coordination, and stamina for consistent aerial control.
Be Patient
Learning to juggle is not something that happens overnight. Encourage your child with positive reinforcement and remind them that progress takes time. Think of it as a marathon, not a sprint. Just like in long-distance running, if you try to increase the intensity too quickly, it can lead to burnout. Instead of making each session too difficult, add a challenge at the end to keep things fun and motivate your child to keep trying.
Prioritize Quality Over Quantity
When practicing juggling, it’s more beneficial to spend five quality minutes than to drag out a session for 15 to 20 minutes filled with constant interruptions. The goal is to maximize the number of successful touches in the shortest amount of time. For instance, if your child’s best juggling record is 20, focus on short intervals of juggling and catching, which will allow for more touches and less time spent chasing the ball.
Use Spare Time Wisely
Utilize idle time before practices or games by encouraging your child to watch a juggling training video. These short sessions will significantly boost their skills over time, and they’ll hardly notice the extra few minutes added to their routine.
Keep Coaching Light
Once you’ve explained the basic technique and demonstrated it, allow your child to practice and improve at their own pace. Avoid over-coaching, as too much instruction can lead to frustration and burnout. Focus more on encouragement and positive reinforcement rather than giving too many specific instructions. Remember, juggling is about repetition, not perfection.
Rest Is Key
Just as physical rest is essential for recovery, mental breaks are equally important. Schedule time off between practice sessions to ensure your child doesn’t become overwhelmed or exhausted.
Stick to a Routine
Consistency is the key to improvement. Encourage your child to practice regularly and set small goals, like increasing their juggling duration or the number of juggled balls. A structured routine will help them focus on their skills without constantly needing new instructions. Tools like Anytime Soccer Training can create this structure and provide a progressive challenge for your child.
Celebrate Achievements
When your child beats their personal best, celebrate the achievement! Tracking their progress and acknowledging improvements will keep them motivated. A fun way to do this is by posting their juggling record on the refrigerator for the family to see.
Relax and Let Them Grow
Once your child becomes more skilled at juggling, you’ll notice they begin to practice more on their own. Simply relax and enjoy watching their growing confidence and abilities.
Use Different Ball Sizes
To add variety to their practice, try using smaller balls, like a size one ball or tennis ball, especially in the early stages. This can help your child improve control and focus on their technique.
Utilize All Parts of the Body
Encourage your child to practice juggling with different parts of their body. This helps improve their overall control and coordination. Additionally, incorporate passing and finishing drills into their juggling practice to make it more comprehensive.
Gamify the Practice
Transform juggling into a game or challenge to make it more enjoyable. Children respond well to gamification, and it can increase their effort without adding frustration from constant verbal instructions. This method allows for more fun while reinforcing the skill.
Use Anytime Soccer Training
Anytime Soccer Training offers over 500 follow-along juggling and aerial control sessions that gradually progress from basic to advanced levels. These sessions guide players through using all parts of their body and both feet, helping them develop well-rounded control. As a parent, all you need to do is hit play and let the training do the work.
Conclusion
Juggling and aerial control are rewarding skills that help children enhance their coordination, balance, and focus. By following these strategies, you can help your child master these essential soccer skills while ensuring they enjoy the process. With patience, consistent practice, and a positive attitude, your child will improve their juggling ability and, ultimately, their overall soccer game.
