Master The Around The World Soccer Trick: Easy Steps

by Luna Greco 53 views

Hey soccer fans! Ever watched a pro player effortlessly wrap their foot around the ball in a mesmerizing "Around the World" trick and thought, "Wow, I wish I could do that!"? Well, guess what? You totally can! While it looks super impressive, the Around the World soccer trick is actually quite achievable with a bit of practice and the right guidance. This comprehensive guide breaks down the steps, provides helpful tips, and will have you showing off your skills in no time. So, let's dive in and unlock this awesome trick together!

1. Understanding the Around the World

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let's first understand exactly what the Around the World is. The Around the World (ATW) is a soccer freestyle trick where you swing your foot around the ball in a full circle while the ball is in the air, without it touching the ground. It's a fantastic way to improve your ball control, coordination, and overall flair on the field. It might seem daunting at first, but breaking it down into smaller steps makes the learning process much smoother. Think of it as learning to ride a bike – a little wobbly at first, but soon you'll be cruising like a pro. The beauty of this trick is that it’s not just about showing off; it also enhances your touch and feel for the ball, which translates to better performance during games. Imagine being able to control a difficult pass with ease or make a quick change of direction that leaves your opponent in the dust. That's the kind of advantage this trick can bring.

Moreover, mastering the Around the World soccer trick boosts your confidence. When you know you can pull off a complex move, you're more likely to try new things and take risks on the field. This leads to a more creative and dynamic playing style, making you a more valuable asset to your team. Think about how many legendary players are known for their signature moves – learning the Around the World is a step in that direction. It’s about adding a bit of magic to your game and making a statement every time you touch the ball. And let's be honest, who doesn't love the feeling of nailing a new trick? That sense of accomplishment is a huge motivator to keep pushing yourself and improving.

Why Learn the Around the World?

Learning the Around the World offers several benefits:

  • Improved Ball Control: This trick forces you to develop a better feel for the ball and how it responds to your touch.
  • Enhanced Coordination: The complex movement requires precise coordination between your feet and your body.
  • Increased Confidence: Mastering a challenging trick like this will boost your self-assurance on the field.
  • Freestyle Foundation: The ATW is a foundational trick for many other freestyle moves, opening up a whole new world of possibilities.
  • Impress Your Friends (and Opponents!): Let's face it, it looks cool! This trick is sure to turn heads and add some flair to your game.

2. Essential Prerequisites

Before attempting the Around the World soccer trick, you'll want to make sure you have a solid foundation in basic soccer skills. You wouldn't try to run a marathon without being able to jog a few miles, right? Similarly, having these prerequisites in place will make learning the ATW much easier and more enjoyable. First, you need to be comfortable juggling the ball with your feet, thighs, and head. Juggling helps you develop a feel for the ball and improves your coordination. Aim for at least 10-20 consecutive juggles before moving on. This ensures you have a good understanding of how the ball behaves in the air and how to control its trajectory with different parts of your body. Think of juggling as the building blocks for more advanced tricks. It’s where you develop that essential connection with the ball, learning to predict its movements and react accordingly. Without this foundation, you might find the Around the World a bit too challenging, as it requires a similar level of touch and control.

Next, practice the Outside Foot Tap. This involves gently tapping the ball upwards with the outside of your foot, keeping it close to your body. This movement is crucial for initiating the Around the World. The outside foot tap gives you the necessary lift and control to set the ball in motion for the circular swing. It’s like the launchpad for your trick, providing the initial momentum needed to execute the full rotation. Focus on making the tap smooth and consistent, aiming for a controlled lift rather than a powerful kick. This will help you maintain the ball close to your body, which is essential for completing the trick successfully. If you can master the outside foot tap, you're already halfway to mastering the Around the World.

Key Skills to Master Before Attempting the ATW

  • Juggling: Comfortable juggling with feet, thighs, and head.
  • Outside Foot Tap: Consistent and controlled taps with the outside of your foot.
  • Inside Foot Tap: Similar to the outside tap, but using the inside of your foot. This helps with ball control and sets up different angles for the trick.
  • Basic Ball Control: Ability to control the ball on the ground with different parts of your feet.

3. Step-by-Step Guide to the Around the World

Alright, guys, now for the fun part! Let's break down the Around the World soccer trick into manageable steps. Remember, patience is key here. You might not nail it on your first try, and that's perfectly okay. Just keep practicing, and you'll get there. Think of each attempt as a learning opportunity, a chance to refine your technique and get a better feel for the ball. The more you practice, the more natural the movements will become, and the sooner you'll be able to perform the trick with confidence. So, don't get discouraged if you stumble along the way. Every pro player started somewhere, and they all went through the same learning process. It's the dedication and persistence that ultimately lead to success.

The first step is to Start with a Juggle. Begin by juggling the ball a few times to get it into a controlled position. This helps you find your rhythm and ensures the ball is at the right height for the trick. Juggling is like a warm-up for your feet, preparing them for the more complex movements to come. It allows you to assess the ball's trajectory and make any necessary adjustments before initiating the Around the World. Once you feel comfortable with the juggle, you're ready to move on to the next step. This initial juggling phase is crucial for setting the stage for a successful trick, so don't rush through it. Take your time to establish a stable base and a good feel for the ball.

Then Tap the Ball Upward. Using the outside of your dominant foot, gently tap the ball upwards. The tap should be just high enough to allow your foot to swing around the ball. The height of the tap is crucial – too low, and you won't have enough space to complete the rotation; too high, and you'll lose control of the ball. Aim for a tap that lifts the ball about knee-high. This provides the perfect balance between height and control, giving you the necessary room to swing your foot around the ball while maintaining a close connection. Practice this tap repeatedly until you can consistently achieve the desired height and trajectory. Remember, it’s not about power; it’s about precision and control. A gentle, controlled tap is far more effective than a forceful kick.

Now Swing Your Foot Around the Ball. This is the core of the trick. As the ball rises, swing your foot around it in a circular motion, going from the outside to the inside. Keep your ankle loose and your movement fluid. The swing should be a natural extension of the tap, flowing seamlessly from one movement to the next. Imagine you're drawing a circle around the ball with your foot, keeping it close and controlled. The key is to maintain a smooth, continuous motion rather than a jerky, abrupt one. A loose ankle allows for greater flexibility and control, making the swing more efficient and reducing the risk of miskicking the ball. Practice the swinging motion separately at first, without the ball, to get a feel for the movement. This will help you develop the muscle memory needed to execute the trick smoothly.

Detailed Breakdown of the Steps

  1. Start with a Juggle: Get the ball in the air and under control.
  2. Tap the Ball Upward: Use the outside of your dominant foot for a gentle upward tap.
  3. Swing Your Foot Around the Ball: Swing your foot in a circular motion as the ball rises.
  4. Control the Ball: Bring your foot back down and control the ball with your foot, thigh, or chest.
  5. Practice Makes Perfect: Repeat the steps until you can perform the trick consistently.

4. Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Learning the Around the World soccer trick isn't always a smooth ride. You're bound to encounter some bumps along the way. But don't worry, that's perfectly normal! The key is to identify those common mistakes and learn how to correct them. Think of each error as a valuable lesson, a clue that points you towards a more refined technique. By understanding the common pitfalls and how to overcome them, you'll accelerate your learning process and avoid frustration. So, let's take a look at some frequent challenges and how to troubleshoot them.

One of the most common issues is Tapping the Ball Too High or Too Low. If you tap the ball too high, you'll lose control, and it will be difficult to complete the swing. If you tap it too low, your foot won't have enough space to go around the ball. The fix? Focus on the height of your tap. Aim for a consistent, knee-high tap that provides the perfect balance between height and control. Practice tapping the ball repeatedly, focusing on achieving the desired height. You can even use a wall as a reference point, tapping the ball against it and observing its rebound height. This will help you develop a better sense of the necessary force and trajectory.

Another frequent mistake is Not Swinging Your Foot Smoothly. A jerky, uncontrolled swing will often result in a miskick or a failed attempt. The solution is to practice the swinging motion separately, focusing on a fluid, circular movement. Imagine your foot is a paintbrush, and you're drawing a perfect circle around the ball. Keep your ankle loose and relaxed, allowing your foot to move freely. You can also try practicing the swing without the ball, focusing on the rhythm and coordination of the movement. This will help you develop the muscle memory needed to execute the swing smoothly when the ball is involved. A smooth swing is essential for maintaining control and completing the trick successfully.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

  • Problem: Tapping the ball too high or too low.
    • Solution: Focus on a consistent, knee-high tap.
  • Problem: Not swinging your foot smoothly.
    • Solution: Practice the swinging motion separately, focusing on fluidity.
  • Problem: Losing control of the ball after the swing.
    • Solution: Ensure a controlled tap and a smooth swing. Practice controlling the ball with different parts of your foot after the swing.
  • Problem: Ankle stiffness.
    • Solution: Loosen up the ankle with exercises and stretches before practicing.

5. Practice Drills to Master the ATW

Okay, so you know the steps, you understand the common mistakes, but how do you actually put it all together and master the Around the World soccer trick? The answer, my friends, is practice! But not just any kind of practice – targeted, effective drills that break down the trick into manageable chunks. Think of these drills as your secret weapon, the tools that will transform you from a beginner into an ATW pro. Just like a chef needs the right recipes and techniques to create a masterpiece, you need the right drills to perfect this impressive move. So, let's get started with some exercises that will help you build the necessary skills and coordination.

One fantastic drill is the Tap and Swing Repetitions. This focuses on the core movements of the trick, the tap and the swing. Start by juggling the ball a few times to get it under control. Then, perform the tap and swing motion repeatedly, without trying to complete the full trick. This allows you to isolate the movements and focus on perfecting each one. Aim for a smooth, fluid motion, connecting the tap and the swing seamlessly. You can do this drill in sets, for example, 10 repetitions on each foot, resting in between sets. This repetitive practice builds muscle memory and improves your coordination, making the full trick feel more natural. It's like learning the individual notes of a melody before playing the entire song.

Another effective drill is the Wall Practice. This helps you work on the height and direction of your tap. Stand facing a wall and tap the ball upwards, aiming for a consistent height. The wall acts as a guide, helping you visualize the trajectory of the ball and adjust your tap accordingly. You can also practice the swing motion while tapping against the wall, focusing on maintaining a smooth, circular movement. This drill is particularly useful for developing the muscle memory needed for the tap and swing combination. It allows you to focus on the mechanics of the movements without the added pressure of controlling the ball in the air. Think of it as a controlled environment where you can experiment and refine your technique.

Effective Drills for ATW Mastery

  • Tap and Swing Repetitions: Focus on the core movements.
  • Wall Practice: Refine tap height and direction.
  • Step-by-Step Practice: Break down the trick into smaller steps.
  • Consecutive Attempts: Build consistency by trying the trick multiple times in a row.

6. Advanced Tips and Variations

So, you've mastered the basic Around the World soccer trick? Congratulations! But the journey doesn't end there. The beauty of freestyle soccer is that there's always more to learn, more to explore, and more ways to express your creativity. Think of the basic ATW as a foundation, a stepping stone to a whole world of advanced variations and combinations. Just like a painter learns the basic brushstrokes before creating a masterpiece, you can now use your ATW skills to create your own unique style. Let's dive into some advanced tips and variations that will take your freestyle game to the next level.

One key tip for Adding Flair to Your ATW is to experiment with different entry points. Instead of always starting with a juggle, try transitioning into the ATW from other tricks, like a stall or a footstall. This adds an element of surprise and fluidity to your routine. Imagine seamlessly flowing from one trick to another, creating a mesmerizing display of skill and control. The more creative you are with your entries, the more impressive your ATW will become. It’s about making the trick your own, adding your personal touch and style. Think of it as adding your signature to a work of art.

Another exciting variation is the Inside Around the World. Instead of swinging your foot from the outside to the inside, you swing it from the inside to the outside. This variation adds a new dimension to your repertoire and challenges your coordination in a different way. It’s like learning to write with your non-dominant hand – it feels awkward at first, but with practice, it becomes just as natural. Mastering the Inside Around the World not only expands your trick vocabulary but also enhances your overall ball control and coordination. It forces you to think outside the box and adapt your movements to different scenarios. Think of it as a mental workout as well as a physical one.

Level Up Your Freestyle Game

  • Add Flair to Your ATW: Experiment with different entry points.
  • Try Variations: Explore the Inside Around the World and other modifications.
  • Combine Tricks: Link the ATW with other freestyle moves.
  • Practice with Both Feet: Challenge yourself to master the ATW with your non-dominant foot.

Conclusion

There you have it, guys! A complete guide to mastering the Around the World soccer trick. Remember, it's all about breaking down the trick into manageable steps, practicing consistently, and not being afraid to experiment. Just like learning any new skill, it takes time, patience, and dedication. But the rewards are well worth the effort. Not only will you have a super impressive trick to show off, but you'll also improve your ball control, coordination, and overall confidence on the field. Think of the feeling of finally nailing that perfect ATW, the satisfaction of knowing you've conquered a challenging skill. That feeling is a powerful motivator to keep pushing yourself and improving. It's a testament to your hard work and dedication, a symbol of your commitment to mastering the beautiful game. So, grab your ball, head out to the field, and start practicing! You'll be amazed at how quickly you progress. And who knows, maybe one day you'll be the one inspiring others with your incredible freestyle skills.

So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and start your journey to becoming an Around the World soccer master! Remember, the most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the process. Every time you practice, you're one step closer to achieving your goal. And when you finally nail that perfect ATW, you'll know it was all worth it. Keep practicing, keep pushing yourself, and keep believing in your abilities. You've got this! Now go out there and show the world what you've got!