How to Do an Around the World in Soccer

Co-authored by Walter Merino and Sophia Bell

Last Updated: June 24, 2024

Though an around the world trick may look difficult and confusing, it’s actually not. You only need to follow a few simple steps to learn this awesome soccer trick. It may take a little bit of practice before you master it, but if you keep trying you can learn how to do an around the world.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Juggling and Striking the Ball

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You should attempt this trick on a soccer turf, in the grass, or in a gym. Avoid practicing outside during wet conditions, which could cause you to slip. Pick a firm and level surface to practice on.
Practice balancing the ball on top of your foot without letting it roll off. Once you've succeeded, try to hold the ball for as long as possible.^{[1]
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Work on reducing the amount of spin as much as you can. The ball should bounce straight up and down on your foot.^{[2]
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Don’t juggle the ball too hard or too high, both of which can make this trick more difficult. Juggle the ball very slightly so that it stays below your knee, which will give you more control over it.^{[3]
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The foot which remains on the ground should bounce slightly when you do an around the world. This gives you the extra height and momentum you need to get your foot all the way around the ball before it hits the ground.^{[4]
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Hitting the ball with the outside, rather than the inside, of your foot gives you more time to loop your foot around the ball while it is in the air.^{[5]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Completing the Rotation

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Once you’ve juggled the ball up in the air, use that momentum to lift your foot and take it around the top of the ball on the inside, or around the top of the ball to the outside. Choose whichever is easier for you.^{[6]
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Your foot should go over and around the ball, back to the starting position, before the ball drops back to the ground. The circular motion needs to be both quick and controlled.^{[7]
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Your foot should make a complete circle in the time it takes for the soccer ball to go up and down once. Try to cradle the ball with your foot while it is falling back toward the ground.^{[8]
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Once the ball lands back on your foot, continue to juggle it. Bounce it up and down a few times, then try to another around the world.^{[9]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Practicing the Specific Movements

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Practice juggling a soccer ball. Before you can do an around the world, you need to be confident juggling the ball. Practice bouncing a soccer ball up and down on your foot as many times as you can.^{[10]
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Pretend you have a ball bouncing on your foot. Practice making a circular motion with your foot moving around “the ball” in the air. You want to do one smooth motion in which you juggle the ball up and then rotate your foot around it.^{[11]
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Start with the ball cradled on top of your dominant foot. Toss it up into the air with your foot and practice getting your foot all the way up and around the ball, then catching it. Once you’ve gotten this down, you can move on to doing an around the world while juggling the ball.
Don’t feel bad if you don’t get the trick down right away. It may take you days or weeks to get it down. Stay calm and focused, and keep practicing until you succeed.^{[12]
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Lionel Messi, Professional Soccer Player

To be the best, there are no shortcuts. "I start early, and I stay late, day after day, year after year. It took me 17 years and 114 days to become an "overnight success"."

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How can I improve my ball control at home?

Walter Merino
Soccer Coach
Walter Merino is a Youth Soccer Coach and Co-Founder of Ole Soccer Club based out of the Los Angeles, California area. He has coached youth from the age of four to the high school and college levels. Walter has played collegiate soccer for Cal Poly Pomona and Los Angeles Mission College. His accomplishments include coaching Olé Soccer Club to win the 2017 Cal South State Cup Governors Boys 2007 Division title.

Walter Merino

Soccer Coach

Expert Answer

If you want to improve your ball control at home and have no teammates or parents around. I suggest practising against a wall. Hit the ball against the wall and it bounces back. By hitting the ball against the wall helps with your first touch, works on your passing, works on your receiving. The first touch in soccer is one of the most important things to compete and grow your confidence.

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How do I do a scissors kick?

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Doing a scissors trick is kind of simple, and can trick a defender easily if it is done right. All you need to do is take your right foot and then act like you are kicking to your left (do this by barely stepping over the ball or going around it) and then take your left foot and kick to your right. You can do this trick with either foot, and you shouldn't overuse it so the other team can't predict that that you will use it if you use it many times.

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Should I wear studs to practice my tricks?

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Yes, I would recommend wearing studs.

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