Skills / Ball mastery

Sole rolls

Roll the ball across your body with the sole of your foot, then back with the other. A daily warm-up for touch.

L R 20 cm
  • Foot on the ball
  • Ball's path

Any age

When to use it

Every day, a few minutes at a time. It builds the close control used in every turn and dribble.

Get it right

  • Stand on the balls of your feet, knees bent.
  • Put your sole on top of the ball and roll it across in front of you.
  • Stop it with the sole of the other foot and roll it back.
  • Start slowly and get faster. Then try it moving forwards and backwards.

Watch out for

  • Standing flat-footed.
  • Looking down the whole time. Try to look up between rolls.

Drawn for the right foot. Learn it on your weaker foot too: it doubles the number of ways you can go.

More ball mastery: Toe taps.

In a match

Practising a skill is half of it. Here is when it turns up in a game, and what to look for.

Where
Tight spaces, and shielding near the touchline.
The moment
You need to move the ball sideways a little to change the angle of a pass.
Match mistake
Rolling the ball too far, away from your body.

Try it in your next match. Roll the ball across to open a new passing angle, then pass.

Match moments where it counts: Beat the press · Get past their midfield · We have just lost it

Practise it

Drills where you will use this skill again and again.