Your child doesn’t need a fancy training facility to develop world-class ball control.
They need 10 minutes, a ball, and the right drills.
Ball mastery is the foundation of everything in soccer—dribbling, passing, receiving, even shooting. Players who are comfortable on the ball make faster decisions, play with more confidence, and simply enjoy the game more.
The best part? These skills can be developed in your living room, garage, basement, or backyard.
In this guide, I’ll share 10 ball mastery drills your child can do in just 10 minutes a day. Do these consistently, and you’ll see noticeable improvement within weeks.
What You’ll Learn:
- 10 ball mastery drills (60 seconds each)
- The correct technique for each drill
- How to structure a 10-minute daily routine
- Tips to keep your child engaged
Related: The Definitive Guide to In-home Soccer Training (Free Download)
Why Ball Mastery Matters
Before we dive into the drills, let’s talk about why ball mastery is so important.
When a player has strong ball mastery:
- They can control the ball without looking at it
- They make fewer mistakes under pressure
- They move faster because their feet work automatically
- They have the confidence to try new skills in games
Think of ball mastery like learning to type. At first, you hunt and peck for each key. But with practice, your fingers move automatically. That’s what we’re building—automatic footwork that frees up your child’s brain to focus on the game.
The 10-Minute Ball Mastery Routine
Here’s a simple structure: 10 drills, 60 seconds each.
Do this routine daily (or at least 4-5 times per week) and you’ll see real improvement within 2-3 weeks.
| Drill # | Name | Primary Skill | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toe Taps | Coordination, rhythm | 60 sec |
| 2 | Side-to-Side Rolls | Sole of foot control | 60 sec |
| 3 | Forward-Back Rolls | Ball manipulation | 60 sec |
| 4 | Inside-Inside Touches | Inside foot control | 60 sec |
| 5 | Outside-Outside Touches | Outside foot control | 60 sec |
| 6 | Inside-Outside Combo | Transition between surfaces | 60 sec |
| 7 | V-Pulls | Change of direction | 60 sec |
| 8 | L-Turns | Turning with the ball | 60 sec |
| 9 | Triangles | Multi-surface touches | 60 sec |
| 10 | Foundation (All Moves Combined) | Flow and creativity | 60 sec |
Now let’s break down each drill.
Drill 1: Toe Taps
This is the foundation of all ball mastery. If your child can only do one drill, make it this one.
How to do it:
- Stand with the ball in front of you
- Lightly tap the top of the ball with the sole of your right foot
- As that foot comes down, tap with your left foot
- Alternate feet in a rhythmic pattern
- Stay on the balls of your feet, knees slightly bent
Key points:
- Keep touches light—don’t stomp on the ball
- Stay balanced with arms out slightly
- Build speed gradually as control improves
⚡ Challenge: Count how many taps in 30 seconds. Try to beat the record each session.
Drill 2: Side-to-Side Rolls
This drill develops feel and control using the sole of the foot.
How to do it:
- Place your right foot on top of the ball
- Roll the ball to the left using the sole of your foot
- Stop the ball with the inside of your left foot
- Place your left foot on top and roll it back to the right
- Repeat in a smooth, continuous motion
Key points:
- Keep the ball close to your body
- Use the entire sole of your foot, not just the toe
- Stay light on your standing foot
Drill 3: Forward-Back Rolls
Similar to side-to-side, but moving the ball forward and backward.
How to do it:
- Place the sole of your foot on top of the ball
- Roll the ball forward about 12 inches
- Pull it back using the sole of the same foot
- Do 30 seconds with the right foot, then 30 seconds with the left
Key points:
- Keep the ball under control—small movements
- Stay on the balls of your feet
- Eyes up as much as possible
Drill 4: Inside-Inside Touches
This is the foundation of close-control dribbling.
How to do it:
- Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, ball in front
- Tap the ball with the inside of your right foot to the left
- Tap it back with the inside of your left foot to the right
- Keep the ball moving side to side between your feet
Key points:
- Keep touches soft and controlled
- Ball should travel only 12-18 inches with each touch
- Find a rhythm—like a metronome
Drill 5: Outside-Outside Touches
Using the outside of the foot is essential for quick changes of direction.
How to do it:
- Start with the ball on your right side
- Push the ball with the outside of your right foot
- Shuffle over and push it back with the outside of your left foot
- Continue moving laterally with the ball
Key points:
- Push, don’t kick—keep the ball close
- Move your whole body with the ball
- Stay low and athletic
Drill 6: Inside-Outside Combo
Now we combine inside and outside touches on the same foot.
How to do it:
- Touch the ball with the inside of your right foot
- Immediately touch it with the outside of the same foot
- Repeat: inside-outside, inside-outside
- Do 30 seconds right foot, 30 seconds left foot
Key points:
- Keep touches quick and rhythmic
- Ball stays in a small area
- This builds the foundation for moves like the step-over
Drill 7: V-Pulls
The V-pull is one of the most effective moves for changing direction quickly.
How to do it:
- Start with the ball in front of you
- Pull the ball back with the sole of your right foot
- As you pull back, push it diagonally forward with the inside of the same foot
- The ball should make a “V” shape
- Alternate feet
Key points:
- The pull-back and push happen quickly in one motion
- Accelerate out of the move
- This is a game move—practice it with intensity
⚡ Challenge: Do 10 V-pulls in a row without losing control.
Drill 8: L-Turns
Great for turning away from pressure in tight spaces.
How to do it:
- Pull the ball back with the sole of your foot
- Then push it 90 degrees to the side with the inside of the same foot
- The ball makes an “L” shape
- Practice both directions
Key points:
- Keep body between the ball and imaginary defender
- Accelerate after the turn
- Eyes up to scan after completing the move
Drill 9: Triangles
Triangles combine multiple surfaces of the foot in one flowing pattern.
How to do it:
- Touch with the inside of your right foot (ball moves left)
- Touch with the inside of your left foot (ball moves forward)
- Pull back with the sole of your right foot (ball moves back)
- Repeat—the ball traces a triangle pattern
Key points:
- Keep the triangle small and controlled
- Find a rhythm: inside, inside, sole… inside, inside, sole
- Practice in both directions
Drill 10: Foundation (Free Flow)
The final drill is about combining everything into one creative flow.
How to do it:
- Use all the moves you’ve learned
- Move around your space with the ball
- Mix toe taps, rolls, inside-outside touches, V-pulls, and L-turns
- Be creative—there’s no set pattern
Key points:
- This is about flow and creativity
- Keep the ball moving constantly
- Challenge yourself to try new combinations
⚡ Challenge: Try to go the full 60 seconds without stopping or losing control.
Tips for Success
1. Consistency beats intensity. 10 minutes daily is better than one 60-minute session per week. The key is building muscle memory through repetition.
2. Use music. Put on your child’s favorite playlist. Music makes the time fly and helps establish rhythm.
3. Track progress. Count touches, time drills, or record videos. Seeing improvement is motivating.
4. Quality over speed. Start slow and focus on clean technique. Speed will come naturally with practice.
5. Make it a habit. Same time, same place, every day. Before breakfast, after school, before bed—whatever works for your family.
Want a Structured Ball Mastery Program?
If you want to take the guesswork out of ball mastery training, check out Anytime Soccer Training.
We have thousands of follow-along ball mastery sessions where your child simply presses play and follows the coach on screen. Each session is structured with progressive difficulty—so they’re always challenged but never overwhelmed.
✅ What’s Included:
- 5,000+ follow-along training videos
- Structured ball mastery programs by skill level
- Daily training calendar
- Progress tracking
- New content added regularly
📥 Join the Free Training Plan Here
Your Action Plan
| When | Action Item | Done? |
|---|---|---|
| Today | Do Drills 1-3 (Toe Taps, Side-to-Side Rolls, Forward-Back Rolls) | ☐ |
| Set a specific time for daily ball mastery practice | ☐ | |
| Join the Free Training Plan | ☐ | |
| This Week | Complete the full 10-drill routine at least 4 times | ☐ |
| Record a baseline (toe taps in 30 seconds) | ☐ | |
| This Month | Complete at least 20 ball mastery sessions | ☐ |
| Compare progress to your baseline recording | ☐ |
Essential Equipment
Here’s the basic gear you need for ball mastery training. These are affiliate links—they don’t cost you extra but help support this site.
- Soccer Ball – Size 4 (ages 8-12) or Size 5 (13+)
- Flat Cones – For marking your training area
- Bluetooth Speaker – For follow-along training videos and music
Pro tip: You can do all 10 drills with just a ball and a small space (6×6 feet is plenty).
Final Thought
Ball mastery isn’t glamorous. It’s not the flashy skill that gets highlight reels. But it’s the foundation that makes everything else possible.
The best players in the world—Messi, Neymar, Pedri—all have one thing in common: the ball feels like an extension of their body. That didn’t happen by accident. It happened through thousands of hours of exactly these kinds of drills.
Your child doesn’t need to be naturally gifted. They just need 10 minutes a day and the commitment to stick with it.
Start today. Start small. Stay consistent.
The results will come.
Ready to get started? 📥 Join the Free Training Plan and get access to structured ball mastery programs your child can follow along with.
Neil Crawford is a soccer dad and founder of Anytime Soccer Training, a platform with 5,000+ follow-along training videos. His son now plays at Charlotte FC Academy—proof that consistent home training works.
