To perform leg crunchers, you must begin by juggling the ball. When you are able to juggle the ball at waste height, you can start experimenting with your leg and foot positioning.

The easiest cruncher to perform is with the outside of your boot. As soon as you feel in control of your juggle, you play the ball about head height. Then position your leg out to the side and flush to the ground—the more flat your leg and boot are, the more control you will have over the crunch. As the ball makes contact with the outside of your boot, you then return to your natural leg position and continue juggling.

Next, practice using the inside of the boot—as the ball is dropping, open your hip and knee to the outside and let it drop onto the inside of the boot. Make sure there is no air in between your foot and the ground. You need that crunch for the ball to spring back. With enough practice, you will soon be able to continue into your natural juggling rhythm.

For a serious challenge try the reverse cross-over-inside—as the ball drops, swing the leg you will use to perform the move behind you, plant for the inside of your boot, let it crunch, and then continue your juggle.     
  
Three important aspects, other than ball control, for performing leg crunchers are flexibility, agility, and timing. The more flexible you are, the more variations you will be able to conjure when juggling; moreover, if your timing and agility are off, you may lose composure and lose the ball.

Let’s face it juggling is one of the most important aspects of developing a player’s touch—extended juggling, and Moves of the Moment like leg crunchers are simple and fun ways to develop your touch. To see leg crunchers in action click here.

See you next month with another 4skills.com’s Move of the Moment. To learn more about 4skills.com’s other visual and interactive player developmental products, click here.

All Smiles on the Field,

Kamal de Gregory
Soccer Luminary
Director 4skills.com