One of our overarching focuses in the JDL program is all about encouraging our players to become more confident and capable with using both feet. This is a skill that separates good players from great ones and helps players become more effective in keeping the ball, and creating & scoring goals.
Here’s what you can still work on using both feet at home!
💡 Why is it important to use both feet?
- Players who can keep the ball can take their first touch off either foot, making them unpredictable, and harder to defend.
- Being able to use both feet opens up more options when you are looking to give & go.
- Using both feet also allows you to ‘go both ways‘ when taking players on in 1v1 situations.
Watch this video of our Mens First Grade carefully and see if you can spot how many times the players use one foot to control the pass, and the other foot to pass the ball. This is a great way to spot if players are good at using both feet!
How we are working on it
In this cycle, we’re focusing on:
- Players taking their first touch with both feet
- Passing and finishing with your non-dominant foot
- 1v1 ball mastery so you can control and run with the ball in either direction
Check out the video below of our Womens First Grade creating & scoring a goal. The assister – Kayla Osborn – and goal scorer – Skye Halmarick – both use their non-dominant foot effectively. This is because they worked hard on these actions when they were in our JDL program, just like you!
What you can do at home
Keep it simple and aims for lots of repetition in using your non-dominant foot.
- Complete wall passes against a surface in your backyard: Aim for 50 passes on your non-dominant foot daily. To stretch yourself, you might work on receiving with one foot, and passing with the other.
- Practice juggling on your weak foot: First, you might practice just using your weak foot. Then, try to juggle using both feet. Keep track of your high score!
- Include some target practice: You can set up cones or objects in your backyard, then try to pass/shoot to them, using only your non-dominant foot.
Players who do extras are the ones who develop the X-factors that help them succeed long-term! We look forward to seeing how you progress with your use of both feet across this training cycle.