Perspectives on the Benefits of Juggling
Simon Ireland, Pat Nevin, Ron Smith, René Meulensteen, John Owens
Juggling on the beach
"Maradona juggled as an 11 year old child-genius performing tricks at half time at Argentina Juniors games like he used to on the way to school with an orange, crumpled newspaper or a bundle or rags."
(on Maradona)
Good Players are also Good Jugglers - Simon Ireland
There is nobody who ever played this game who did not think, at one time, that juggling is really frustrating. It is a lonely experience. Nobody can do it for you. By spending time with the ball, you are investing in your own development. But if you persist, the end results will show that the rewards are worth all the frustration. One day, if you put in the lonely practice time, juggling becomes so much fun. It is a right of passage to the upper levels of the game. But the much bigger impact that juggling provides players is a vastly improved 'first touch'. First touch is essential if you want to play at a higher level. It is so essential that your 'first touch' will determine how well you play the game. If you don't have a good 'first touch', you won't have control of the ball, therefore, you don't have a second or subsequent touch. If you can work with the ball, it will make you look good. If you fight with the ball, it will make you look awkward.
Pat Nevin Interview on Juggling
September 8, 2011
The former Chelsea FC, Everton & Celtic legend is now a Radio and TV commentator. Pat was one of the best players in the English 1st Division (now PL) in the mid to late 80's. When Simon and Gary Ireland were art Chelsea FC as youth players, Pat Nevin was the superstar.
“He was one of the best players I've ever seen and had the privilege of playing with and against. An absolute wizard with the ball and a joy to watch. A real entertainer!” said Gary Ireland.
See 'The Guardian' article http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/aug/26/small-talk-pat-nevin on Pat's thoughts on 'Why can't England produce a Messi or a Zidane?"
Gary Ireland (GI): I don’t think that players juggle enough in general. Juggling helped my balance, Coordination, touch, timing and more importantly, timing. I played my best soccer when my juggling was at my best. Do you encourage the players you coach to juggle?
Pat Nevin (PN): Always encourage players to juggle. In the very simplest terms it gives you total control over the ball. It is probably even more important for players not generally considered skillful. every big tough center back should practice juggling to help himself improve.
GI: I have spent many years playing foot tennis/soccer tennis, which helped me tremendously In my development. I also know it helped all of our coaching staff. It’s one of the best ways to improve touch and timing. What do you think?
PN: Foot-tennis is another very useful and fun training exercise which aids ball skills, awareness, touch and confidence. Along with drills (many of which are used in the Coerver coaching system, they undoubtedly help everyone from the interested amateur to the international professional.
GI: How often should players be juggling?
PN: As often as you can. Many players try doing it as an end to a training session, but I would suggest that before a training session or a game is even more beneficial, because your touch will be perfect when competitors are nearby right from the start. I juggled before every one of my 750 professional games throughout my career!
GI: Who is the best juggler you played with in your opinion?
PN: There were only few in but Roy Wegerle jumps to mind. The question, though, isn't who can do the best tricks, it is who can utilize those skills best in a match situation.
GI: Many people, including coaches, often comment that juggling isn’t relevant to the game or that it’s for 'show offs'. I have 40+ ways of getting the ball off the ground and numerous tricks and flicks, which, when rehearsed regularly without doubt help me perform better because it helps my balance, touch and co-ordination. I’ve heard comments such as 'you should be in a circus' when showing these tricks. I happen to work on ‘method juggling’ and juggling in motion for a greater and more realistic challenge rather than ‘hackeysack’ tricks. How do you explain to these people that the Maradona’s, Zidanes, Ronaldinho's and Henry's have terrific juggling skills and that the best players in the world tend to have fantastic tricks. It doesn't hurt their game!
PN: Ignorance is common in many sports. My reasoning usually involves describing the great Pele's argument. He played 'Keepy up/juggling' so that he had an arc around him that he knew he would trap the ball and have it totally under control in won touch when it came to him. If that meant knowing particular tricks then all well and good, that can only be a positive.
GI: A famous phrase often said to anyone juggling is "why do you bother doing that when you cannot do it on the pitch." Many coaches or lower level players who were never able to juggle or people who have never or rarely played the game seem to say this. How would you answer that one.
PN: Answered above, re: Pele! If it is good enough for him it should be good enough for anyone. By the way it is also fun and increases confidence which is a very important attribute to have.
GI: In all the places you have coached football have you ever been anywhere were juggling is given the same importance as in South America.
PN: South America is special
GI: What are the benefits of juggling?
PN: As above
GI: Thanks for your time and thanks for you sharing your knowledge with me.
Ron Smith Interview on Juggling
Gary Ireland asks his Australian football expert friend Ron Smith a few questions on the relevance and importance of juggling (at the time of this article Ron Smith is the Australian National Mens & Olympic team Technical Advisor as well as being former Assistant Director of the Australian Institute of Sport (Soccer). Ron worked as assistant to Gus Hiddink at the 2006 World Cup in Germany and provided invaluable support for Hiddink in the run up to the successful campaign. Carine and Gary met Ron in Leipzig in 2005 when Australia were playing in the Confederations Cup vs Germany, Argentina and Tunisia.
Gary Ireland (GI): Do you encourage the players on the Australian Youth and Senior team to juggle?
Ron Smith (RS): I'm not in a position to influence what the players in the national team do, but when I watch them warming up in their own time I see plenty of them juggling the ball or playing games in small groups that involve juggling or 1 touch play to keep the ball in the air.
GI: How often should players be juggling?
RS: I think juggling becomes a part of everyday training and it's a personal thing. Juggling is a way of keeping in touch with the ball and all players like to develop feeling. It's a bit like putting for golfers, you have to feel the putt just like you have to feel the ball when you are playing with it.
GI: Is there a direct correlation between the best jugglers and the best players?
RS: I don't have any evidence but if you watch the best players in the world they can all juggle the ball and perform amazing tricks. I coached Josip Simumic for three years at the AIS (he's the captain of Croatia) and at 15 years of age he juggled the ball nonstop for 3 hours, I have a video of him doing it. Joe has played 98 A Internationals for Croatia and will be at the 2012 Euro's.
GI: Who is the best juggler you've coached seen in your opinion?
RS: Joe Simunic would take some beating but Ronaldhino is also amazing.
GI: Many people, including coaches, often comment that juggling isn't relevant to the game or that it's for 'show offs'. I've heard comments such as 'you should be in a circus'. How do you explain to these people that the Zidanes, Ronaldinho's and Henry's have terrific juggling skills and that the best players in the world tend to have fantastic tricks.
RS: People who make those comments don't see the difference between developing 'touch" and how that is applied in the game. Players don't juggle the ball during the game but that's not a reason for not doing it.
GI: What are the benefits of juggling? How does juggling help a player? What specific attributes does juggling develop? (coordination, affinity, balance, dexterity, touch, feel, etc.)
RS: Juggling definitely develops touch and feeling. All the top players who have great technique and touch can juggle the ball. balance and coordination are developed through juggling as well as both sides of the body.
GI: What different types of juggling do you encourage, i.e. in pairs or on the run?
RS: I think any form of juggling is good because it maintains feeling once it has been developed. I come back to golfers and putting. The top performers have a high level of touch and feeling and that has to be maintained. Top pianists notice a difference in performance if they don't practice for one week, so why should footballers or golfers be any different.
GI: 'Soccer-tennis' is a popular form of juggling. Is this something you endorse/recommend? Do your players on the National Team play soccer-tennis?
RS: Football-tennis is not only fun to play but you can play around with the rules to force one or two touches, etc. At the 2006 World Cup the players played football-tennis regularly and so did the staff. We had a court set out permanently behind Guus Hiddink's residence and we played there most days after lunch.
René Meulensteen Interview on Juggling
At the time of this article, current Australian Men’s National Team coach René Meulensteen was the Skill Development Coach at Manchester United Football Club where he worked with all players throughout the club, from the nine year olds at the academy to the first team. Before René came to Manchester United he was involved in club football in Qatar with trophy’s with Al-Itihad and Al-Saad and prior to that was involved in the Qatar National sides. René also worked under Wiel Coerver as a personal assistant and much of his background in technical development was through Wiel Coerver. René was extensively involved in the Manchester United skills DVD.
Copyrighted & Interview by Sean at Footballtricks
Sean: Hello René and thank you for your time.
René Meulensteen (RM): That's OK.
Sean: Do you encourage the players you coach at Manchester United to juggle
RM: Yes we do. The ultimate goal to aim for is that the players have the skills to make a difference when they play. To have the skills and confidence to take a player on and beat them. They must be able to dominate the ball before they can dominate another player. Every touch of a football helps and makes a better player.
Sean: How do you include it in your coaching.
RM: Well with the younger players it would be very individual. Working alone with the ball making sure that the player touches the ball as many times as possible. As the players get older then we would include drills like head tennis. It is good for controlling the ball with all parts of the body helps balance and coordination.
Sean: Who would be the best juggler at the club.
RM: It is a policy at Manchester United not to name names from the younger players at the academy but I think Ronaldo would be an obvious choice from the first team.
Sean: A famous phrase often said to anyone juggling is "why do you bother doing that when you cannot do it on the pitch". How would you answer that one.
RM: That is a very short sighted thought. You could say that about so many things. In tennis why practice with a tennis cannon firing the tennis balls at you because in a tennis match the ball will never come at you the same way twice. Certain things work in support of what happens on the pitch. Juggling helps improve your feeling for the ball this helps you become more confident. This means when on the pitch you will have more time and space with the ball. It is all linked together. I think people would say this for two reasons first they are protecting themselves because they cannot do it and second because they just don't understand how this skill can transfer over in a game. I don't think you needed me to answer that question. It is obvious.
Sean: Good answer though.
RM: Actually in Holland once during an Ajax game during the Johan Cruyff era. I cannot remember which game it was but it was a very important game between Ajax and Real Madrid. One of the players Gerry Muehren had so much time and space because nobody came to tackle him that he just flicked the ball up and began to juggle. I think he thought well if they don't want to play I will entertain the crowd. It is often shown on Dutch TV when there is a program about that Ajax team.
Sean: In all the places you have coached football have you ever been anywhere were juggling is given the same importance as in South America.
RM: I think you cannot forget the importance of cultural influences. In Brazil it is part of a Brazilian player to juggle a football. Their culture is that a player must be very skillful and technical. Qatar has had a massive Brazilian influence since the seventies. But I think kids will respond to their environment. If they are encouraged to juggle and exposed to coaching were it considered a part of the program then they will do it and therefore get better. At Manchester United many of the younger players are very skillful and they are encouraged to express that and so they become more creative and improve. Some cultures are about
work ethic and long passing I am not saying that is wrong but that culture will produce that type of player.
Sean: If you had to list the benefits of juggling what would they be.
RM: Touch, co-ordination, balance, creativity and confidence.
Sean: Thank you René. It has been a pleasure talking to you.
RM: Thank you.
John Owens Interview on Juggling
John Owens was Assistant Academy Director at Liverpool Football Club for 15 years. He coached European Player of the Year Michael Owen and England and Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, legendary player and current TV pundit Jamie Carragher, Steven Warnock and others at Liverpool F.C & England and Chelsea legend Joe Cole and former Man United player Wes Brown for England Schoolboys National Team. John hired Gary Ireland to work with Liverpool FC youth players at ‘The Academy’ in 2003-2004. Gary is also a former personal technical assistant of Wiel Coerver and has worked with Wiel in the Middle East and in the USA.
Gary Ireland (GI): I don’t think that players juggle enough in general. Juggling helped my balance, coordination, touch, timing and more importantly, timing. I played my best soccer when my juggling was at my best. The two best players I have seen play in California for the past 15 years, Christopher Sullivan and Simon Ireland, have an amazing repertoire of juggling skills which incorporate aerial control and half volley controls, along with turns and movements after controlling the ball.
Do you encourage the players at Liverpool FC to juggle?
John Owens (JO): Yes we do encourage our players to juggle. It is part of their individual work with the ball. It is not just about juggling but we encompass the whole area of ball familiarization, using different parts of the foot, thigh, chest and head. They can progress from individual work to pairs and in larger groups. We also use the wall in our indoor arena to vary the challenge. Players who show a high ability of individual skill with the ball are usually the ones who show the best control and the best at weighting their passes.
GI: I have spent many years playing foot tennis/soccer tennis, which helped me tremendously in my development. I also know it helped all of our coaching staff so I absolutely agree with you. It’s one of the best way to improve touch and timing.
How often should players be juggling?
JO: There should be time in each session to work individually with the ball (juggling is just a part of that). It can be fitted in well as part of the warm-up linked with the physical element of the pre-session routine. Individual ball work is also a useful part of a session to place between two high intensity sections. Twice a week with the full-time players we have specific sessions for the development of individual skills. Over the year we will cover the full range of skills with the ball (control, passing, volleying, heading, etc.) Many sessions include 2 v 2 skills games and larger games of football tennis and head-tennis. (In head-tennis the net is higher and the ball must be sent over the net with a header). In some games, players must take two touches each. This gives them practice with a stress on the quality of their first touch, like in the real game. Those who are good jugglers usually do well in these types of skills games.
GI: Who is the best juggler at LFC (youth) in your opinion?
JO: In our team that won the F.A Youth Cup (U/18 men) last season, we had a player, Adam Hammil, who has exceptional individual skills with the ball. Of course, some of his moves are not directly applicable to the game situation, but some do unsettle the defenders and can give him the edge in dribbling situations. When I was manager of England U/15s, Joe Cole (now with Chelsea) was just as adept at juggling and ball manipulation skills. The real challenge for these highly skilled players is to use their ability in an effective way that benefits the team, rather than it simply be a show of their skills.
GI: Many people, including coaches, often comment that juggling isn’t relevant to the game or that it’s for 'show offs'. I have 40+ ways of getting the ball off the ground and numerous tricks and flicks, which, when rehearsed regularly without doubt help me perform better because it helps my balance, touch, and co-ordination. I’ve heard comments such as 'you should be in a circus' when showing these tricks. I happen to work on ‘method juggling’ and juggling in motion for a greater and more realistic challenge rather than ‘hackeysack’ tricks. Hubert Vogelsinger’s instep training which was widely used here in colleges by people such as former Stanford coach Bobby Clark who I met while coaching together at Vogelsinger’s camp before he worked at Stanford, is a form of training which incorporates juggling to some very advanced technical training which I call ‘aerial control.’
How do you explain to these people that the Maradonas, Zidanes, Ronaldinhos and Henrys have terrific juggling skills and that the best players in the world tend to have fantastic tricks?
JO: My earlier answers cover this question. Overall, those who do not see the relevance of ball manipulation activities like juggling do not realize the concept of transference of skills. A very important point here is for the coach to accept the responsibility of helping the player to transfer these skills to the real game situations. If no transfer is made then the juggling skills will remain in isolation and will not benefit the player in his overall game. I think this is the point that the critics of juggling are making when they claim that it is just a circus act.
GI: A famous phrase often said to anyone juggling is "why do you bother doing that when you cannot do it on the pitch." Many coaches or lower level players who were never able to juggle or people who have never or rarely played the game seem to say this. How would you respond to that?
JO: Juggling is not practiced to be a move that is copied exactly in the actual game. When you watch ballerinas warming up, they perform different moves to help them to execute the actual moves on stage. Nobody expects a footballer to juggle in a real game but the players who are good jugglers do show the best control (first touch) in the game – whether that be a touch to control the ball for themselves or to lay a ball with one-touch perfectly into the path of a colleague. All footballers should seek to master the football, like the precision shown by golfers, snooker players, etc.
GI: In all the places you have coached football, have you ever been anywhere where juggling is given the same importance as in South America?
JO: I have not coached in South America, but by all accounts they take their individual skills very seriously. In the past in Europe, we focused so much on game play, rather than individual development. The guiding principle for our Academy system is to practice three times for every one game session, so that the time for work on individual skills is available. Although we aim to emulate the individual ability of the South American players, we have to seek to do it in the framework of our own culture. This culture will be shaped by the style of play in games and the physical and psychological make-up of the players of that country. With the movement of players from all over the world to our Premier League, our young players are influenced by many foreign players which lessens the idea of a typical stereotype.
GI: What are the benefits of juggling?
JO: The main benefit of juggling is to encourage a good touch and mastery of the ball. It will also improve a player’s physical co-ordination and suppleness. As a player improves their repertoire of skills, they will be able to be less predictable and more creative in their play. Young children thrive on competition and contests of these skills can enthuse young players to want to learn and improve.
... The coach should not leave the players to practice juggling in isolation. To get the transference to specific football skills, like touch, control, feel for the ball, etc. the coach should help to make this link with practices for control to follow sessions on juggling. So juggling for the sake of juggling is what annoys some coaches. In lots of skills practices we overdo the skills to emphasize the practice of it. For instance with shielding – we can get 1 v 1 for a minute in a small area to test the players ability to use his body to protect the ball. In the real game we do not want a player shielding it for a minute or more. The player must choose firstly whether he needs to shield it. Then he should shield it for as short a time as possible to get out of a tight position and safely pass, shoot or continue a dribble. So our practices are not always perfect replicas of the game situation. We do not practice shielding for the sake of shielding the ball as an end. Shielding the ball is a means to an end – getting free with the ball away from a defender. It then depends on the ability of the coach to lead the player from the practice situation through to the real game, i.e. through the transfer of skills. Also, with regard to the fact that we do not see juggling in the actual game, we also do not see players getting into the type of stretch positions (e.g. hamstring, groin) during play but we still feel OK about our players doing these stretches in preparation. They are not doing them to replicate exactly in the game.
GI: John, thanks for your time and thanks for you sharing your knowledge with me. I agree with your thoughts which are of course hard to disagree with, considering players such as Steven Gerrard and Michael Owen were under your guidance! You may have just silenced the juggling cynics! Good luck this season at Liverpool FC.
Juggling Examples on Video
Maradona Juggling
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPA-VU6Z32I
Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta juggling
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tje1ggSxqbI
Dutch legend Arnold Muhren juggling vs Real Madrid for Ajax (3 min 9 sec)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZ7LKr7uCIc
Messi Juggling with Deco
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZ7LKr7uCIc
Luis Figo relaxing with “sitting down juggling” with Cristiano Ronaldo when Ronaldo was breaking into the Portugal team
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MDK6Pm8l5c
Arnold Muhren juggling vs Real Madrid for Ajax - 3 min 9 sec
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZ7LKr7uCIc
Bayern Munich stars playing soccer-baskeball
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8UiQVY5a6Y
Bayern Munich 3 players juggling 3 balls at once
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