Keepy-Up Skills
A step-by-step juggling session: drop the ball onto the foot, kick it up, catch it, then build up more touches in a row.
At a glance
- Your child holds the ball, drops it onto the foot, kicks it up and catches it. Then 2 kicks before the catch, then 3.
- Alternate feet: favourite foot, practice foot, then catch. 2 minutes.
- Thigh and foot: foot, thigh, then catch. 2 minutes.
- When it drops, pick it up and start again straight away.
- Progress 1: Foot, thigh, foot with no catch in between.
- Progress 2: You call foot or thigh before each touch, and they use the one you call.
If it's not working: Kick, let it bounce, then kick again: one bounce between every touch.
Full details: set up, how to play, tips
Set up
- Warm up for 3 minutes: gentle toe taps and sole rolls.
- A clear space and one ball.
Garden, park, indoors.
How to play
- Your child drops the ball onto the foot, kicks it up and catches it. Then 2 kicks before the catch, then 3. Build up.
- Alternate feet: favourite foot, practice foot, then catch. 2 minutes.
- Thigh and foot: foot, thigh, then catch. 2 minutes.
- Quick restart: when it drops, pick it up and start again straight away. 2 minutes.
Make it easier
- Kick, let it bounce, then kick again: one bounce between every touch.
- Use a lighter, softer ball that floats up and drops slowly.
Make it harder, step by step
- Foot, thigh, foot with no catch in between.
- You call foot or thigh before each touch, and they use the one you call.
- No-hands start: roll the ball up the foot to begin, without using the hands.
Three things to say
- Start with one bounce between each kick, then slowly take the bounce away. Patience is everything.
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.
Safety: Feet and thighs only. No heading.
Keeping score: Not counted. Tick the drills they did today.