In Soccer, Ball Mastery is…

It’s the ability to manipulate the Soccer Ball with both feet in control. It implicates the use of every playable surface of the feet including the instep (top-laces), the sole (bottom-studs), the inside, the outside, the toes (tip) and heel.

Ball Mastery can be improved by practicing a large variety of exercises, only mostly with a ball. Not much equipment needed and they can be performed in a large variety of settings, including soccer fields, but also at home. They are very well suited to individual training sessions.

It’s recommended that each skill is performed with a special focus on form, while speed and intensity can be ramped up as technique is thoroughly learned and absorbed, so each movement acquires strong automatism. Once it becomes second nature and great fluidity is achieved, the tempo can be increased and the specific type of exercise can be increased in level of difficulty. They can be combined, extended, or the speed can be raised.

Improvements are best achieved with high numbers of repetitions and consistency is key. Strong focus is required to minimize mistakes as they are a strong hurdle to technical gains.

It’s strongly recommended that proper shoes are worn, depending on the primary playing surface is going to be. Artificial turf, natural grass, hard, indoors or outdoors, weather can have an impact to be considered.

Good luck and have fun!