10 Ways To Improve Your Soccer Skills At Home

Practice Makes Permanent

By Daniel Kitchen

Sir Bobby Robson, the legendary English football manager and player, once said, “Practice makes permanent.” This sentiment has stayed with me throughout my sporting, academic, and working life.

During my coaching sessions, players often see me or another coach perform a skill with the ball. Naturally, they come over and ask how to replicate the skill or how we became proficient at it. I break down the skill and explain the finer details, but I always emphasize that to become proficient, 'practice makes perfect.'

Research indicates that a child must perform a skill at least 75 times before they actually begin to learn it. Mastery of the skill comes much later. This is why it's crucial for children to get multiple touches of the ball, reinforcing the idea that practice makes perfect.

In terms of a player's holistic development in the game, group coaching sessions are key to learning and growth. However, as I always explain to my players, it’s not enough to attend one or two coaching sessions a week and expect to become an accomplished and well-rounded player. To take the next step, players must dedicate part of their spare time outside the coaching setting to honing their skills. Whether it's in the park with friends, in the backyard with Dad, or even annoying Mum by kicking the ball against the living room door, all these activities contribute to a player’s development. However, I ask myself and my players four key questions regarding this practice.

1. Specificity: Does the practice hold significance and relevance for the player?

2. Time: Although children have other interests and commitments outside soccer, it’s important to use the time dedicated to the game wisely.

3. Enjoyment: Roy Keane, one of my footballing heroes, said, “I don't believe skill was, or ever will be, the result of coaches. It is a result of a love affair between the child and the ball.” This touches on a key point: the intrinsic motivation to play football and the joy it brings. This must be incorporated into what players do outside a coaching and match setting.

4. Accessibility: What facilities and equipment do the players have available?

Taking all these factors into account, I devised a challenge for my players that targets their ball mastery, competence, and confidence with the ball at their feet. This challenge can be easily committed to a few times a week outside of coaching sessions, encouraging players to challenge themselves and their teammates.

The answer was… the 10-2-1 Challenge.

The concept for 10-2-1 is simple: 10 skills, a 2x2 meter square, and 1 minute to perform each skill.

The aim of the challenge is to perform each given skill as many times as possible with correct technique while keeping the ball within the 2x2 meter square. Players can then record their scores for each skill, strive to improve them, and compare them with teammates for some healthy competition.

Link to demonstration video

The Skills:

Fast Feet

• Place the ball between your feet, legs shoulder-width apart.

• Slightly bend your knees.

• Knock the ball between your feet as quickly as possible using the instep.

Triangles

• Start with the ball slightly in front of you.

• Drag the ball back with the sole of your right foot at an angle so your legs are shoulder-width apart.

• Pass the ball across to your left foot using the instep of your right.

• Pass the ball forward at an angle with your left foot.

• Stop it with the sole of your right foot and continue the process.

• Repeat starting with your left foot.

Drag-Push

• Start with the ball in front of you; drag the ball back using the sole of your foot.

• Push the ball forward at a slight angle using your laces.

• Stop the ball with the sole of your other foot and quickly pull it back.

• Push it forward again at a slight angle and continue the process.

Inside-Outside

• Start with the ball slightly in front of you.

• Play the ball sideways with the instep of one foot.

• With the other foot, play the ball in the same direction with the outside of the foot.

• Use the inside of the same foot to pass the ball back in the opposite direction.

• Repeat with the other foot.

Fast Feet (Step Over)

• Knock the ball between your feet as quickly as possible using the instep.

• Once the ball hits the inside of your right and then left foot, perform a step-over with your right foot as the ball is moving.

• Repeat the step-over with your left foot.

• Find a rhythm and stay on the balls of your feet.

Double Taps

• Combine fast feet and toe taps.

• Knock the ball from one foot to the other using the insteps.

• Follow this by touching the top of the ball with two toe taps.

• Continue the exercise.

Body Triangles

• Start with the ball in front of you.

• Drag it back with the sole of your foot until it goes past your standing foot.

• Pass it around the back of your standing foot using the instep.

• Stop the ball with your standing foot and push it forward with the sole to the start position. Rotate the direction.

Squeeze & Push

• Place the ball underneath your body.

• Roll it to the side with the sole of your foot, then push it back with the inside, keeping your foot in contact with it.

• Continue with the other foot.

Drag Stop

• Start with the ball on the inside of your right foot.

• Drag the sole of your right foot over the ball.

• Let the ball run across your body and stop it with the inside of your left foot.

• Repeat with the left foot.

Juggles

• Keep the ball up using your feet and legs without letting it bounce or move outside the square.

KO 10-2-1 Weekly Record Sheet

In the table below, players can record their daily/weekly progress for each skill.