5 Simple Indoor Drills for Foot Skills

Fitness and foot skills. Two necessary components to staying in shape and staying sharp as a Soccerista! Foot skills are essential for feeling comfortable on the ball. The more comfortable a young athlete is on the ball, the more potential they have on the field. Therefore, spending time on indoor foot skill drills may be your biggest advantage.  

Learning and practicing foot skills leads to a strong foundation. You have your entire career to work on fitness, strength, balance, and endurance. Research has shown that skill level is a major predictor of in-game success.  

This is a great time to turn trials into triumphs. Whether it’s winter break or just too cold to practice outside, playing and practicing soccer indoors is a great way to improve your skills. You don’t need much space to flex those feet. Here are five indoor foot skill drills to take to your basement, garage, bedroom, or local indoor court. 

Juggling:

The most fundamental skill to practice. Keep touches below knee height using the top of the foot only. Use a softer ball if you’re concerned about breaking something!

Wall Pass:

Find a wall, chimney, fireplace, or base of a couch to have a self-pass from about 2-3 feet away. Work on passing with various surfaces of the foot, 1-4 touch passes, or sole of the foot rollover with a pass, outside foot tap with a pass, and cut with a pass. Work all sides of the foot, focusing on pass precision and control.

Figure 8 Drill:

Sharpen your dribbling skills with the Figure 8 drill. Use anything you have around the house and place about 4-6 feet apart. Dribble the ball through and around the objects creating a figure 8. Practice various options: all right foot, all left foot, inside and outside of feet. Keep the touches close.

Zig-Zag Line Dribbling:

If you’re in a basement, garage, or outdoors, make a long, zig-zag line with tape. Then, dribble the ball following the lines.

Ball Mastery:

There are various combinations you can do for ball mastery. Check out this 10-minute video to improve your skills.

Don’t forget the foundation of your skillset starts with feeling comfortable on the ball. These drills improve control, touch, reflexes, precision, and motor memory. The next time you play Rondo, a staple game practiced by the USWNT, you’ll have the opportunity to show off those foot skills. Now, let’s get to work!

Featured Image via Adobe Stock Images

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