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Freestyle Football

as a hobby

AKA: Football Juggling • Freestyle Soccer • Keep-Ups • Keepie Uppie • Kick-Ups • Soccer Juggling • Street Style
Related Hobbies: FootbagJuggling

For freestylers today, the discipline is an art form, a sport, and a lifestyle.

The World Freestyle Football Association

Helpful content to get started

We curated content to familiarize you with freestyle football as a hobby and to inspire and help you get started.

We strive for accuracy, but errors may occur. Always use your judgment.

Refer to the listed resources for further research.

Short visual inspiration.

WFFA Pulse Sopot 2024
YouTube Playlist | WFFA Pulse Sopot 2024
World-Class Freestyle Football Juggling | Street Style Finals 2016
YouTube | World-Class Freestyle Football Juggling | Street Style Finals 2016
Red Bull Street Style 2020 Finals
YouTube | Red Bull Street Style 2020 Finals
Freestyle Football History
YouTube Playlist | Freestyle Football History
More videos
A history of World Cup footballs 1930-2018 - with freestyle world champion Liv Cooke - BBC Sport
YouTube | A history of World Cup footballs 1930-2018 – with freestyle world champion Liv Cooke – BBC Sport
Football freestyle LEGEND Jeremy Lynch's Unforgettable Audition! | Britain's Got Talent
YouTube | Football freestyle LEGEND Jeremy Lynch’s Unforgettable Audition! | Britain’s Got Talent
Freestyle on the streets in India ⚽️🙌😎💁🏼‍♀️ #india #footballgirl #street #inspire #aguska #show
YouTube | Freestyle on the streets in India ⚽️🙌😎💁🏼‍♀️ #india #footballgirl #street #inspire #aguska #show
World Freestyle Football Championship 2024 @ Juventus Creator Lab
YouTube Playlist | World Freestyle Football Championship 2024 @ Juventus Creator Lab

Play an episode while exploring the page.

Spotify Embed:
Spotify | “I'm obsessed with Freestyle!” – 16-year-old record holder Becka Hugill
Spotify Embed: When Freestyle is Life: The World of Professional Freestylers
Spotify | When Freestyle is Life: The World of Professional Freestylers
More podcasts

“All You Need is a Ball”: The official motto of freestyle football emphasizes its accessibility. You don’t need expensive equipment—just a ball and space to practice.



Basic lingo for orientation.

General Terms

  • Freestyle Football: The art of performing creative tricks and maneuvers with a football using various parts of the body.
  • Trick: Any specific move or skill performed with the ball.
  • Combo: A sequence of tricks performed consecutively without losing control of the ball.

Styles

  • Lowers: Tricks performed using the legs and feet while standing (e.g., Around the World).
  • Uppers: Tricks involving the upper body, such as the head, shoulders, and chest (e.g., Head Stall).
  • Sit-downs: Tricks executed while sitting, often with legs elevated.
  • Ground Moves: Tricks performed with the ball rolling on the ground, resembling choreographed dance moves.
  • Acrobatics: Moves inspired by gymnastics or breakdancing, incorporating flips or spins with ball control.

Common Moves

  • Around the World (ATW): A foundational trick where one leg circles around the ball mid-air.
  • Hop the World (HTW): Similar to ATW but involves alternating legs.
  • Crossover: A move where one leg crosses over the ball to kick it mid-air.
  • Neck Stall: Balancing the ball on the back of the neck.
  • Foot Stall: Balancing the ball on top of a foot.

Technical Terms

  • Stall: Pausing or balancing the ball on a specific body part (e.g., Head Stall, Knee Stall).
  • Transitions: Moves that link tricks from different styles in a fluid sequence.
  • Blocks: Holding or pinching the ball with parts of the lower body, often inspired by breakdancing.

Unique Tricks

  • The Slap: A behind-the-leg roll-up and flick move.
  • Vee Stall: Balancing the ball between two body parts, like knees or ankles.

Term Videos

Red Bull Street Style 2019 - Tricktionary
YouTube | Red Bull Street Style 2019 – Tricktionary
25 Levels of Soccer Juggling & Freestyle Football Skills: Easy to Complex | WIRED
YouTube | 25 Levels of Soccer Juggling & Freestyle Football Skills: Easy to Complex | WIRED

How to break the ice and make a start.

First Steps Videos

From Streets to Stadiums: Freestyle football has grown from street performances to organized competitions and stadium shows. This demonstrates the increasing recognition and appeal of freestyle football as a respected skill and entertainment form.

Get read-y.

Step-by-step tutorials.

How-To Videos

BECOME A FREESTYLE CHAMPION: how to get started
YouTube | BECOME A FREESTYLE CHAMPION: how to get started
FREESTYLE TUTORIALS
YouTube Playlist | FREESTYLE TUTORIALS
LEARN THE AROUND THE WORLD IN NO TIME | freestyle tutorial
YouTube | LEARN THE AROUND THE WORLD IN NO TIME | freestyle tutorial
How To ACTUALLY Juggle A FOOTBALL For Beginners
YouTube | How To ACTUALLY Juggle A FOOTBALL For Beginners
More how-to videos
3 freestyle skills you can actually use to improve CONTROL
YouTube | 3 freestyle skills you can actually use to improve CONTROL
Football Freestyle/Skills Tutorials
YouTube Playlist | Football Freestyle/Skills Tutorials
Learn Freestyle Football Skills
YouTube Playlist | Learn Freestyle Football Skills
How to Juggle a Soccer Ball
YouTube | How to Juggle a Soccer Ball

Boosts Brain Function: Learning freestyle football, particularly juggling, has been scientifically linked to improvements in executive functions like inhibition and shifting abilities, as well as enhanced brain connectivity. This means your hobby can also sharpen your mind.

The effects of football juggling learning on executive function and brain functional connectivity – PMC

Essentials to have.

Product Demos

FORZA Denim Freestyle Football - Ultimate Skills & Style!
YouTube | FORZA Denim Freestyle Football – Ultimate Skills & Style!
What ball to choose for freestyle football
YouTube | What ball to choose for freestyle football
What shoes to choose for freestyle football
YouTube | What shoes to choose for freestyle football
More product demos


Further reading.

Video Articles

WHO INVENTED FOOTBALL FREESTYLE?
YouTube | WHO INVENTED FOOTBALL FREESTYLE?
All You Need is a Ball | Dan Wood & Liv Cooke | TEDxWhitehallWomen
YouTube | All You Need is a Ball | Dan Wood & Liv Cooke | TEDxWhitehallWomen
I'm The Youngest Football Freestyle World Champion EVER! - Guinness World Records
YouTube | I’m The Youngest Football Freestyle World Champion EVER! – Guinness World Records
Football freestyler 'Around the World' tricks challenge - Japan Tour
YouTube | Football freestyler ‘Around the World’ tricks challenge – Japan Tour
More video articles

Go-tos for information.

Website Previews

More website previews

Nothing like a good film or a show for inspiration.

Movie and TV Trailers

Trailer | Erlend Fagerli - Freestyle football documentary
YouTube | Trailer | Erlend Fagerli – Freestyle football documentary
The Final Stretch | Freestyle Football Documentary
YouTube | The Final Stretch | Freestyle Football Documentary
ANDREW HENDERSON - DOCUMENTARY - FOOTBALL FREESTYLE!!!
YouTube | ANDREW HENDERSON – DOCUMENTARY – FOOTBALL FREESTYLE!!!
More movie trailers

A Global Art Form: Freestyle football combines elements of dance, acrobatics, and circus arts, making it a unique blend of athleticism and creativity.

Get a clue.

Do I need to be good at football (soccer) to start freestyle football?

No, you don’t need prior football experience. Freestyle football focuses on ball control and creativity, which can be learned from scratch with practice.

What equipment do I need to start?

Freestyle football’s motto is “All you need is a ball,” emphasizing its accessibility. Any standard football (size 4 or 5) will work for beginners. However, as you progress, freestyle-specific balls—such as FORZA’s Freestyle Balls or SA Freestyle Ball—are recommended. These balls are designed with superior grip, durability, and bounce control to enhance trick performance.

Comfortable sportswear is also important. For shoes, lightweight and flexible options with flat soles—like futsal or indoor soccer shoes—are ideal. Specialized freestyle shoes, such as SA Quantum Shoes or Off-Pitch/4Freestyle Freestyle Football Shoes, are crafted specifically for tricks and provide better precision and control.

Are football balls and freestyle football balls the same?

Not exactly. While you can start with a regular football, freestyle football balls are specifically designed for better grip, control, and reduced bounce. These features make it easier to perform tricks, especially for beginners. Popular freestyle balls include FORZA’s Freestyle Balls and SA Freestyle Ball.

How much space do I need to practice?

You only need a small open area, such as a backyard, park, or even an indoor room with enough ceiling height to practice basic tricks.

What are the rules of freestyle football?

As a hobbyist, the only rule you should follow is to avoid touching the ball with your hands (from the shoulders to the fingers).

Is freestyle football difficult to learn?

Like any skill, freestyle football takes practice, but the basics are not overly difficult to learn. Starting with juggling and simple stalls is quite achievable for beginners. There are tricks for all skill levels, so you can progress at your own pace and always find new challenges.

How long does it take to learn freestyle football tricks?

The time varies depending on the trick and your dedication. Simple tricks like “Kick-ups” can take a few days, while advanced moves like “Around the World” may take weeks of consistent practice.

Do I need to be very fit to start freestyle football?

No, you don’t need to be super fit to begin. Freestyle football itself will help you improve your fitness. Start slowly, focus on basic skills, and your fitness will naturally improve as you practice.

Is freestyle football physically demanding?

Freestyle football improves fitness but is less physically demanding than traditional football matches. It’s suitable for people of all fitness levels and can be adapted to your pace.

Can I learn freestyle football on my own?

Yes, many freestylers are self-taught using online tutorials, videos, and guides. Joining local freestyle communities or workshops can also accelerate learning.

Is freestyle football a social hobby?

It can be! While you can practice alone, there’s a large and welcoming freestyle football community online and in many cities. Connecting with other freestylers online or in person can be a great way to learn, get inspired, and make friends.

Can freestyle football improve my soccer skills?

Yes, practicing freestyle improves ball control, coordination, balance, and focus—all of which are beneficial for traditional soccer players.

Are there competitions for beginners in freestyle football?

Yes, many local and online competitions welcome beginners. These events are great opportunities to showcase your skills and connect with other freestylers.

What are the benefits of freestyle football as a hobby?

Freestyle football enhances physical fitness, mental focus, creativity, discipline, and social connections within the global freestyle community.

FAQ Videos

More FAQ videos

Smart start.

App Trailers

Learning to juggle a soccer ball for beginners
YouTube | Learning to juggle a soccer ball for beginners
Barcelona Freestyle PT
YouTube | Barcelona Freestyle PT
More app trailers

Get smart.

Video courses and trailers

25 freestyle skills everyone should learn | BEGINNER to PRO
YouTube | 25 freestyle skills everyone should learn | BEGINNER to PRO
Learn 7 Football Freestyle Tricks with Liv Cooke | Masterclass
YouTube | Learn 7 Football Freestyle Tricks with Liv Cooke | Masterclass
More video courses and trailers


Get together.

Related Videos

Global Community: Freestyle football boasts a vibrant and supportive global community. This provides hobbyists with opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals, share skills, and participate in events worldwide.

Subscribe for inspiration.

Newsletter Previews

Additional advice for beginners.

Video Tips

Constantly Evolving Art Form: Freestyle football is not static; it’s a continuously evolving art form with new tricks and styles being invented all the time. This offers endless opportunities for creativity and personal expression within the hobby.

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