I remember the first time I saw professional football players juggling the ball effortlessly during warm-ups - it seemed like pure magic. The way the ball appeared glued to their feet while they maintained perfect balance made me think this skill was reserved for elite athletes only. But then I watched Petro Gazz team captain Remy Palma's response after that shocking opening loss to Chinese Taipei's Taipower, and it changed my perspective entirely. Despite the online backlash that followed the defeat, Palma took it in stride, emphasizing that mastery comes through consistent practice and mental resilience. This same philosophy applies perfectly to learning ball juggling - it's not about innate talent but about breaking down the process into manageable steps anyone can follow.

Let me share something I've learned through years of coaching and playing: juggling isn't just a flashy trick to show off. It fundamentally improves your first touch, balance, and spatial awareness on the pitch. When I started seriously working on my juggling skills about eight years ago, my game transformed completely. Suddenly, receiving difficult passes became second nature, and my confidence with the ball at my feet skyrocketed. The beautiful part is that you don't need fancy equipment or a professional trainer - just a ball and some dedication. I typically recommend practicing about 15-20 minutes daily rather than marathon sessions, as consistent repetition builds the muscle memory needed for true proficiency.

Starting with the basic drop is where most beginners should focus their initial efforts. Hold the ball at chest height with both hands, then release it and let it bounce once before catching it again. This might seem too simple, but trust me - understanding how the ball moves and reacts is crucial before adding complexity. I usually have my students repeat this about 50-60 times per session for the first week, focusing on watching the ball's rotation and predicting its trajectory. What most people don't realize is that your eyes are just as important as your feet in juggling. Remy Palma's ability to maintain composure after that tough loss demonstrates the same mental focus required here - you need to block out distractions and concentrate on the fundamental movement patterns.

The single juggle comes next, and this is where many players get frustrated. Instead of catching the ball after the bounce, try to tap it gently back up to about waist height using your dominant foot's laces. The secret nobody tells you? Don't swing your leg - think of your foot as a platform that simply redirects the ball upward. I made the mistake of using too much force initially and spent half my practice time chasing the ball around the yard. Aim for controlled, soft touches rather than height. Statistics from football training programs show that players who master controlled single juggles improve their first touch success rate by approximately 34% in actual game situations.

Now comes the alternating juggle between feet, which feels like unlocking a new level in a video game. The transition from single to alternating touches is where the real coordination develops. Start with one juggle on your strong foot, let the ball bounce, then try with your weaker foot. I'll be honest - this phase can be humbling. My weak foot felt like a foreign object for weeks, but persistent practice eventually created neural pathways that made the movements more natural. Think about Palma's resilience facing criticism - that's exactly the mindset needed here. When I tracked my progress, I found that players typically need around 1,200-1,500 repetitions before alternating juggles starts feeling comfortable.

Continuous juggling without letting the ball touch the ground is the fourth step, and this is where the magic really happens. The key is maintaining a consistent rhythm and not overcorrecting when your touch isn't perfect. I tell my students to imagine they're dribbling vertically rather than horizontally. What surprised me most when I reached this stage was how much it improved my game awareness - I could sense where the ball was going without staring at it constantly. Professional players like those on the Petro Gazz team typically maintain juggling streaks of 100+ touches during warm-ups, but remember they started exactly where you are now.

Adding movement and advanced surfaces - thighs, head, shoulders - transforms juggling from an exercise into an art form. This final step separates competent jugglers from truly exceptional ones. I personally love incorporating thigh juggles into my routine because it teaches you to absorb the ball's energy differently than with your feet. The progression here should be gradual - maybe add one new surface per week until your body understands the different impact points. Watching skilled players like Remy Palma, you'll notice they make advanced juggling look effortless because they've put in the thousands of hours required for true mastery.

The beautiful thing about juggling is that it's a journey without a final destination. Even after fifteen years of playing, I still discover new variations and challenges to keep it interesting. That opening loss for Petro Gazz could have destroyed their confidence, but instead they used it as motivation - similarly, every dropped ball during practice isn't a failure but rather data collection about what doesn't work. The online backlash following their performance mirrors our own internal criticism when we struggle to learn new skills. What matters isn't the stumble but how we respond to it. If you commit to these five steps with the same resilience demonstrated by professional athletes facing adversity, you'll not only master ball juggling but develop the mental toughness that translates to every aspect of your game.

LIGHTING, LIGHTING, AND MORE LIGHTING
People are typically drawn to bars solely based on their atmosphere. The best way to knock your next commercial bar design out of the park is using the perfect amount and type of lighting. Use standout light fixtures as their very own statement piece, track lighting for adjustable ambiance, hanging pendant lights over tables, and ambient backlighting to display the alcohol. Bartenders need to serve and customers need to order, so make sure it’s just functional as it is attractive. 

CHOOSING YOUR BARTOP
What may seem so obvious, is often so overlooked in commercial bar design- the material of your actual bartop itself. While we realize stone and marble are as classy and elegant-looking as can be, the reality is that they just aren’t your best option for a durable and long lasting bartop. They crack, have no grip, and break way too many glasses. Opt for a high-quality wood bar instead. Oaks, maples, mahoganies, and ashes are sturdy and provide your customers with a firm grip for their glasses. 

THEME 
In a sea of millions upon millions of bars, how can you make your commercial bar design stand apart from the rest? The answer is to pick a unique, centralized theme and run with it. Whether it’s your next sit-down restaurant bar design, or remodeling the small, locally-favorite gem, you have to find out what your clientele wants. Survey the neighborhood of your establishment and find out what the demographics are there. Maybe a gritty, western bar would be a hit. Or maybe a more modern, sleek design is what’s missing in the area. Whatever theme you decide upon, hit it out of the park with the perfect lighting, wall art, music, and furniture. It’s all in the details. 

THE GUIDE TO YOUR NEXT RESTOBAR 
You’ve got the food, you’ve got the restaurant, you’ve got the customers, now all you need is a beautifully designed bar to top it all off.  Small bar designs for restaurants have a tendency to be a little thrown together and incohesive with the rest of the establishment. Stay on brand- create consistency with tying in the same color scheme, furniture, art, and overall ambiance of the pre-existing restaurant. Make sure the placement of your bar makes sense as well, have it in a place where it’s visible and easy to navigate but not in the way of servers and other guests. If the bar is going to serve food, be sure to consider the location of the kitchen to not obstruct traffic flow. Consider all of these small tips as you work through your next restaurant bar design. 

SPACE CONSTRAINT 
It’s no secret that bars have the reputation of being a little cramped, and in some cases- way too cramped. Consider all of the space constraints while designing your next commercial bar design and we can change that bad rap that bars have been holding for far too long. First and foremost, be sure to measure your bar, barstool, cabinet, and equipment height. Generally, a bar is 42” in height while a stool is 30” in height. Also be sure to allow at least 3’ of space between the bar and the alcohol for the bartender’s functionality and efficiency. Consider multiple register and drink-making stations for bartenders as well. Allowing 2’ between patrons is going to give them enough space to eat and drink, and most importantly, simply be comfortable. All of these considerations are especially helpful if it is a restaurant bar design, where the space is even more valuable.