Ball Mastery Menu
A menu of six ball moves done standing with one ball, about a minute on each, on both feet.
At a glance
- One ball and a flat patch of floor or lawn. Your child works through six moves, about a minute on each, on both feet.
- Toe taps: tap the top of the ball, foot to foot. Sole rolls: sole on top, roll it across to the other foot and back.
- Side-to-sides: tap it between the insides of both feet. Inside-outside: push it from the inside to the outside of one foot and back.
- V-pull: drag the ball back with the sole, then push it forward and out to the side. Drag-backs: sole on top, drag it back, swap feet.
- Progress 1: Brazilian toe taps: up on the toes, as fast as they can. Count the taps in 20 seconds.
- Progress 2: Link two moves with no pause, like 3 side-to-sides then a drag-back.
If it's not working: Pick just 3 or 4 moves from the menu.
Full details: set up, how to play, tips
Set up
- Warm up for 5 minutes: jog on the spot, swing the legs, then roll the ball around the feet to wake them up.
Garden, park, indoors.
How to play
- Toe taps: light taps on top of the ball, foot to foot, like jogging on it.
- Sole rolls: sole on top, roll the ball side to side across to the other foot and back. 1 minute.
- Side-to-sides: tap the ball between the insides of both feet, left-right-left, tick-tock like a clock.
- Inside-outside: push the ball from the inside of one foot to the outside of the same foot and back. Then the other foot.
- V-pull: drag the ball back with the sole, then push it forward and out to the side with the same foot (it makes a V).
- Drag-backs: sole on top, drag it back, then go again with the other foot. 10 in total.
Make it easier
- Pick just 3 or 4 moves from the menu.
Make it harder, step by step
- Brazilian toe taps: the same toe taps but up on the toes and as fast as they can. Count them in 20 seconds.
- Link two moves with no pause between them, for example 3 side-to-sides then a drag-back, or invent their own.
- On the move: side-to-sides while walking slowly forward.
Three things to say
- Small, soft touches keep the ball glued to your feet.
- Both feet, every move.
- Little and often beats one long go.
Colts habit
Work hard: little and often beats one long go.
Both feet
Do a round with the practice foot only.
Heads up
Look up between touches.
For your birth year
Pick a birth year to show the tweak for that group.
- 2016 to 2017
- Toe taps 3 goes of 30 seconds. Side-to-sides 45 seconds twice. Inside-outside 30 seconds each foot. V-pull 8 times each foot.
- 2018 to 2019
- Toe taps 3 goes of 20 seconds. Side-to-sides 30 seconds twice. Inside-outside 20 seconds each foot. V-pull 5 times each foot.
- 2020 to 2021
- Pick 3 or 4 moves and keep each one short.
Safety: Pick a clear, flat space, look out for traffic and hazards, and stop if anything hurts. Soft ball indoors.
Keeping score: Not counted. Tick the moves they did today.