The Importance Of Using Both Feet
Written by Lee Fletcher Jul 12th, 2017
In this article we explore the importance of playing with both feet and why it should be a vital part of a players technical development.
Base Level is our fundamental technical qualities as a football player, for example, receiving, controlling passing and shooting. Around these technical aspects, are the principles of the game which inform how, why and when we might perform these actions.
One technical quality that often gets neglected and forgotten about is playing with both feet.
Using both feet means that you are comfortable either side, especially when dribbling with the ball.
When defending, players, often like to get side on, which means they will try to show you the way they want you to go as an attacker. If you are right footed, they will show you to your left, understanding it may be difficult to dribble to the left side. However, if you are able to use both feet then it become virtually impossible for them to predict which way you will go, making it difficult to defend against.
Unpredictability is one of the greatest assets you can have as a player, and playing with both feet helps.
As a player moves to protect the ball, they can use both feet to shield the ball on the inside as well as the outside of the foot. As with a player who uses one foot constantly, they look to always move to one side or use one foot to control to move left or right. This can expose the ball if the player always turns with the ball with the outside of the foot.
Protecting the ball with both feet can give an air of unpredictability as the defender will have no idea which side you will go.
By being able to use either foot, a player doesn't have to constantly shift their weight across the ball, often causing unbalance when the ball is not under-control or in difficult positions.
Using both feet allows a player to shift their weight across and over the ball with balance and control.
For example, when passing, if the player is right footed and running to the left, then the player may find it difficult to pass back to the right side, and would only be able to go forward or to the left side. However, if the player can use their left, he can disguise pass back to the right side cutting the pass across and behind the defenders.
When receiving the ball, we can see how players with two feet look to move the ball by receiving on the back foot to then pass on the ‘front’ foot.
Using both feet to receive and pass creates a quick passing action, to move the ball in one swift movement, rather than if a player receiving on the right foot, for example, and then adjust the body to then pass.
This is beneficial to switch the play or to move the ball forward quicker than with playing on the same foot.
When talking about speed of a player when running with the ball for example, we look at a players stride and how they can push the ball in front of them to run. When playing with both feet the stride can be interchangeable allowing both feet to move the ball forward when running with the ball.
Here are a few players that we feel are some of the best in the business at using both feet.
Take Home's
In the related content we will see how you can improve a players ability to play with both feet with simple exercises in training.
Game Base Level
In the modern game we are consistently urging our players to work on tricks, skills and flicks often without the base level of the game being explored.Base Level is our fundamental technical qualities as a football player, for example, receiving, controlling passing and shooting. Around these technical aspects, are the principles of the game which inform how, why and when we might perform these actions.
One technical quality that often gets neglected and forgotten about is playing with both feet.
Weak foot and strong foot
From a soccer coaching point of view, we do often hear the term “weak foot and strong foot”. This terminology should be adapted when discussing this topic. Otherwise, we risk indicating to players that they are weak in an area of their technical capability. When addressing players during a technical coaching drill, use left, right or 'other foot' to avoid negative association.Why
The ability to use both feet whenever is needed can separate the great players from the good ones but why is it so important to use both feet? Here are some reasons:Unpredictability
Having the capability to use both feet creates unpredictability in your play. If you are consistently using one foot, it is easier for a defender to identify where a player will be going and how your body will shape when passing, dribbling or running with the ball.Using both feet means that you are comfortable either side, especially when dribbling with the ball.
When defending, players, often like to get side on, which means they will try to show you the way they want you to go as an attacker. If you are right footed, they will show you to your left, understanding it may be difficult to dribble to the left side. However, if you are able to use both feet then it become virtually impossible for them to predict which way you will go, making it difficult to defend against.
Unpredictability is one of the greatest assets you can have as a player, and playing with both feet helps.
Protection
A Base Level skill that players should be learning is how to protect the ball, shielding away from defenders. When playing with two feet this becomes an easier task.As a player moves to protect the ball, they can use both feet to shield the ball on the inside as well as the outside of the foot. As with a player who uses one foot constantly, they look to always move to one side or use one foot to control to move left or right. This can expose the ball if the player always turns with the ball with the outside of the foot.
Protecting the ball with both feet can give an air of unpredictability as the defender will have no idea which side you will go.
Balance
When playing with only one foot, players can often have balance issues. This means that if the ball is on one side of the their body, for example the right, and they are left footed, the player will need to stretch their leg to the opposite side of their body to remain in control of the ball.By being able to use either foot, a player doesn't have to constantly shift their weight across the ball, often causing unbalance when the ball is not under-control or in difficult positions.
Using both feet allows a player to shift their weight across and over the ball with balance and control.
Disguise
Like unpredictability, disguise gives the defender uncertainty in your play. By using both feet to disguise where the pass may go, attackers can play with both feet allowing you to go either way past a defender. This can make it difficult for the opposition to defend against.For example, when passing, if the player is right footed and running to the left, then the player may find it difficult to pass back to the right side, and would only be able to go forward or to the left side. However, if the player can use their left, he can disguise pass back to the right side cutting the pass across and behind the defenders.
Speed
Speed of thought and speed of play are increasingly vital parts of the game. Using both feet can help both speed of thought and play. This is because actions can be executed when the ball is on either side of the body.When receiving the ball, we can see how players with two feet look to move the ball by receiving on the back foot to then pass on the ‘front’ foot.
Using both feet to receive and pass creates a quick passing action, to move the ball in one swift movement, rather than if a player receiving on the right foot, for example, and then adjust the body to then pass.
This is beneficial to switch the play or to move the ball forward quicker than with playing on the same foot.
When talking about speed of a player when running with the ball for example, we look at a players stride and how they can push the ball in front of them to run. When playing with both feet the stride can be interchangeable allowing both feet to move the ball forward when running with the ball.
Here are a few players that we feel are some of the best in the business at using both feet.
Anderson Hernanes
Santiago Cazorla
Adam Lallana
Take Home's
- Being able to master playing with both feet is one of the most important parts of players technical development and can often transform good players into great players.
- From a technical and tactical standpoint, being comfortable with both feet allows a player to play anywhere on the pitch giving options to the team.
- Players who play with both feet have the capacity to change games with their unpredictability and inventiveness to create football actions quicker than a player who only plays with a left or right.
In the related content we will see how you can improve a players ability to play with both feet with simple exercises in training.
