When I was younger, before I even got into freestyle football, I noticed something interesting: if I kept a ball near me around the house, I naturally learned how to control it. Back then, I would dribble and pass a soft ball under the table while reviewing notes, or roll it around my feet between study sessions. It wasn’t part of a formal drill—it was more like a habit that helped me stay sharp without even realizing it.
Over time, I found out that those small, seemingly insignificant touches added up. They helped me build close control, quick feet, and confidence with the ball.
In this article, I’ll share a few things that really helped me improve when I practiced football alone at home – even in small spaces and in my room (this article contains affiliate links – if you purchase through our links, we might earn a commission – it helps us to finance the site and keep publishing the FPL content).
#1: My Everyday Habit Was to Keep the Ball Moving Underfoot
One of my favorite techniques was playing with a small, soft ball around the house. I’d use a foam ball or a size 2–3 football – something that wouldn’t break furniture or windows.
Here’s what I trained almost every day:
- While studying at my desk, I would tap the ball under the table with my feet.
- When reviewing notes, I’d walk around my room and keep the ball moving – soft touches, rolls, dribbles.
- I even kept multiple balls in my room (a foam one, a soft plastic size 2, and a real size 3) so I could switch depending on my mood or how much space I had.
These touches weren’t part of a formal drill – they became a natural part of my day. I’d switch between balls depending on space or mood, and I learned to stay connected with the ball almost without thinking.
It’s a simple way to improve your touch, train foot control, and keep the ball at your feet – even while doing something else. The idea is to turn these background movements into muscle memory (but I was too young to realize that, I just did what I wanted to do at those moments).
Why I Think It Works
- Builds close control and foot coordination
- Helps you develop a natural feel for the ball
- Improves your touch while doing everyday tasks
Practical Tips
- Choose a mini or foam ball so you don’t break anything.
- Keep the ball flat on the floor with controlled touches to ensure you’re developing precise technique.
- If you feel more confident, swap in a size 2–3 football for a greater challenge, but do not break anything with it
It could be something like this:
To experiment with smaller – tennis size – ball (I had many of these):
Or something middle-size you can find in any toy store.
#2: I Turned My Desk into a Football Goal (but I Should Have Used a Mini Goal Instead)
Sometimes I wanted to practice shooting or just make things feel more like a real game. I didn’t have space for a full-size football goal, but I found a simple solution: my desk became my goal.
I’d take a soft foam ball and try to pass or shoot it through the space under the table legs – aiming for the corners like it was a real top-bin finish. It might seem silly, but this helped me train accuracy, quick reactions, and timing.
If you want to take it a step further, you can get a foldable mini goal that’s easy to store and safe for indoor use. Combine that with a soft ball and suddenly you’ve got a small-space football training zone at home.
For an extra challenge, I used to place bigger toys around the room to simulate defenders. That way, I dribbled, dodged, and then shot (do not use Lego or anything sharp – plush toys are the best).
But you really have to be careful to not break anything inside your room.
Remember, Safety First
- Make sure your parents or siblings are okay with it.
- Stick to a soft, lightweight ball, especially if you’re in a small area.
- Always adjust your angle to avoid smashing anything breakable.
#3: Simple Drills That Kept My Footwork Sharp Indoors
Even if you don’t have much room, there are plenty of ways to train your football skills at home. I used to create little footwork drills in my room using whatever I had – shoes, books, toys, or just the lines in the floor (as I already mentioned, do not use anything sharp, that could be very painful).
I think this helped me to:
- Improve close control
- Develop quick feet and faster reaction time
- Gain confidence in 1v1 situations
- Build a natural, relaxed touch on the ball
- Train my brain to stay connected with the ball, almost without thinking
And most of all – it becomes a habit. Something you do naturally, like brushing your teeth. That’s where real progress begins.
These small challenges made each session unpredictable, just like a real football match, and they helped me stay focused and keep improving.
#4 If I Had Known About This Kind of Training Mat, I Would’ve Definitely Got One
I never had one of these myself, but I used to draw lines on my floor to replicate something similar. In my opinion, it’s a true game-changer for improving your football skills at home, especially when it comes to close touches, dribbling, and one-on-one moves.
It’s basically a cushioned, anti-slip mat designed to help players perfect their footwork drills and ball control indoors.
Why I Love It
- Works on any flat surface – perfect for tight spaces.
- Quiet and safe, plus it often comes with anti-slip socks.
- Foot markers guide your positioning and help you develop proper technique.
- Great for short sessions, letting you stay sharp even if you only have a few minutes.
Honestly, I think this is the top piece of equipment you can have to boost how you move the ball with your feet, and it also helps you explode past defenders in tight areas.
Back in my day, I had no idea about the Football Training Mat. I wish I’d had it! I think it’s the best piece of equipment for indoor practice, especially if you want to master close dribbling and refine your footwork drills.
A Small Word of Caution
One thing I always remind younger players: training with a ball indoors is amazing – but be smart. You don’t want to break anything or make your parents angry. I learned to play quietly, especially with foam balls (or mats).
And don’t let football distract you too much from school. When I was a kid, I made sure to use football as a way to reset my mind, not as an excuse to avoid studying. Walking around while reviewing notes and dribbling at the same time actually helped me concentrate.
Stay Consistent, Stay Creative
You don’t always need a lot of space, equipment, or even a partner to practice football and get better (but yeah, you should try to get that too). With a soft ball, a small mat, and a bit of imagination, you can build real football skills right in your room.
So, keep the ball at your feet. Make it part of your routine. A few touches a day, every day – that’s how you build great control, confidence, and creativity on the pitch.
Start now. Train smart. Enjoy the game – even at home. But do not break anything.
