Just as you have a dominant and non-dominant hand, you also have a dominant and a weak foot. In football, having one foot that performs better makes the player predictable.
A weak foot just means that your gameplay is better when you use one foot instead of the other. As a football player, you can be either right-footed or left-footed. So, when you play, you tend to gravitate towards your dominant foot when passing or shooting the ball.
That is why you might be deliberating on how to improve your weak foot in football. If you are looking to make progress, below are a few tips on how to make your weak foot stronger in football.
Why Is Playing Football With Both Feet Important?
Some players are ambidextrous, meaning they can comfortably use both feet when playing. However, if you only use one foot, there are many weak foot football drills that you can practise to make your weaker foot more powerful.
However, it is essential to understand why you need to be ambidextrous in football. Football is a fast-paced game and you need to be fully aware of your surroundings at all times. You have no guarantee that you will always receive the ball on your dominant side.
If you lack the training to use both sides of your body equally, you can come across as a weak player in the field. That said, you can correct this by taking up some weak foot football drills on your non-dominant foot.
Some of the benefits of training your weaker foot include:
1. It improves your balance
When you can handle the ball with both feet, you are comfortable enough to shift your weight from one foot to another. This is a massive advantage to the player because they can move from one side to another without losing control of the ball.
2. Better ball control
Players who can use both feet proficiently have better ball control. They can dribble past other opposing players effectively and even pass and shoot the ball more successfully. This excellent quality sets a player apart from the rest and effectively boosts their confidence on the field.
3. It makes you unpredictable
Playing with one foot makes it easy for the opponent to predict your play. However, if you can move side to side quickly, defenders on the opponent team have difficulty determining your next move. You have no weakness for them to capitalise on.
4. It makes you faster
As mentioned, football is a fast-paced game. You should blend the speed of thought and speed of play to become an exceptional player. By mastering the use of both feet on the field, you can improve your game.
Strengthening your non-dominant foot means you can quickly trap the ball and pass it to your teammates. When you use your feet interchangeably, your speed in the field also increases.
5. It improves your technique
Football players who can manoeuvre their way past defenders have better chances of making goal attempts. When you use both feet, you can disguise your passes, making it easier to advance past the other team’s defence.
Also, training your weaker foot means you can easily shield the ball from defenders and switch sides quickly.
How to Get Better With Your Weak Foot in Football
You can follow a few tips as you get your weak foot stronger in football. Some of them include:
a) Practice patience
Most players grow up using their dominant foot when playing. It is not until they start participating in competitions, major leagues, or playing professionally that players decide to train their weaker foot. At this time, it may take time to master using the weaker foot. So, when you are learning how to improve your weak foot in football, you must be patient.
b) Consistent practice
Practice makes perfect. You also have to train to stand a chance to win. When you are taking weak foot football drills, you should remain consistent for your foot to learn and adapt.
c) Practise weak foot football drills
As you progress slowly from using one foot during games to becoming a pro at using your non-dominant foot, you should include weak foot football drills as part of your training routine.
Football drills to practise with your weak foot include:
- Ball control
- Ball trapping
- Haggling
- Dribbling
- Passing
- Real game scenarios
- Muscle memory
Go Pro Using a Football Tracker
As you train, feedback is a crucial input you need to make sense of your progress. You will need means to compare the performance of your feet. There are several techniques you can use to capture your performance.
If you choose to record video, then there will be some information you can miss when you shoot facing the other direction.
There’s one sure way to ensure you capture all the information you need on the performance of your feet. This entails the use of a football tracker that you wear on your cleats. Playermaker is an excellent example of the technology you need to capture all your performance details.
Some details you can get from wearing these football trackers include:
- Volume- you can see the work rate and sprint distances
- Involvement– you get data on your level of involvement in the match, or how many times you were in possession of the ball.
- You also capture your playing tempo, including the long and short possessions you have with each foot
- Technical balance information illustrates the shots you received or made using your weaker foot and the maximum velocity of the ball
So, are you playing off your weaker foot? Get a Playermaker football tracker and start understanding the gap between your dominant and weaker foot to become a pro.
Want to bring your A-game to the match? Get started on drills today to become a master at playing with both feet on the pitch.
