Do you have a foot that you refer to as your “strong foot?” Most players have one foot they prefer to use and that they feel more comfortable using. But what about the other foot? Imagine how much more effective a player you can be if both feet are equally proficient and dangerous.
Here are 3 tips to improve your “weak foot,” if you have one:
Commit to it. Many players go through their career wishing their weaker foot was stronger but never actually take the steps to improve it. It’s never too late. But as with any skill, you need to be intentional, commit to the process, and consistently put in the work. Commit to spending extra time every day on your weak foot. Whether it’s staying after team training, working on your own at home, or simply forcing yourself to use your weak foot in training sessions, you’ll be glad you did it.
Play catch-up. The reason you have stronger and weaker foot is simply because you’ve spent more time training with one foot more than the other. Just think about how much repetition and trust you’ve invested in your stronger foot. What would it take to “close the gap” and for your weaker foot to get that same investment of time? When you train on your own, spend extra time on your weak foot so it can play catch-up. You can do a certain amount of time or repetitions on your strong foot, and then do double that on your weak foot. If you’re using the Techne app to train, select 1-minute intervals on the drills in which you use your strong foot and 2-minute intervals for the drills in which you use your weak foot. If you don’t use the Techne app already, you can download it to try (use promo code BLOG for 10% off), or go through this series of drills below every day for a week with your weak foot.
1. 1-Touch Insides with your weak foot
2. 1-Touch Laces with your weak foot
3. 1-Weak Foot Juggling
4. Weak Foot Cuts
5. Weak Foot Balance
Don’t be embarrassed. Many players end up reinforcing their strong foot simply because they are uncomfortable or embarrassed to try with their weak foot. That’s why practicing on your own is important! You can work on many things without fear of showing your mistakes. However, at some point you’ll need to take the risk and use your weak foot in your team practice sessions and in competitive games. The fear of trying is what holds many players back from ever truly improving. So put in the work on your own to gain trust in your weak foot, and when the time comes with your team, just go for it. If you make a mistake, go for it again. Stick with it until your weak foot is no longer weak at all!
