Advantages of Playing with Both Feet

There is one common trait that almost all successful soccer players share: the ability to play accurately and quickly with both feet.

This one skill can give players a huge advantage because it effectively doubles their opportunities to dribble, pass, receive, and shoot.

It cuts down on the time necessary to execute complicated maneuvers and generally makes a soccer player’s job just a little easier.

Success will be almost impossible without having this vital skill, so working to develop it is bound to pay off. Here are a few areas where being able to use both foot is crucial.

Dribbling
Because you will spend much of your time with the ball moving it around the field, knowing how to dribble with both feet is essential.

It makes it harder for your opponents to tackle and makes your movement more difficult to predict. You can go up against defenders confidently, able to shift the ball from foot to foot without losing control.

Passing and Receiving
If you can only pass and/or receive the ball with your dominant foot, you will constantly have to shift your weight around to accommodate this preference.

This will use up valuable time and also alert your opponents about your plans. Knowing how to pass and receive with either foot alone can improve your game immensely.

This is a skill that can be practice easily; however, it will take you a lot of time to master it completely. One thing you can do is pass the ball with your non-kicking foot to a wall and then receive it with the same foot.

Shooting
If you can only shoot with your dominant foot, you are likely already aware of what a detriment this can be.

Having to shift your feet before shooting can be disastrous to your game. Every time you shoot, the goalie will be aware and waiting to intercept the ball. This is the skill where being able to use both feet will pay off quickest and it’s easy to see why.


Being able to do this with both feet will make you quicker and more accurate, a clear advantage that can place you head and shoulders above the opposing team.

To practice shooting with your weaker foot, simply set up two cones, or even better, use a real goal and start shooting.

You may be shocked at the lack of coordination you have with your weak foot at first, but this will pass with time and hard work.

Focus on using good technique to avoid creating bad habits and don’t let frustration make the process more difficult 

than it needs to be.

Improving your non-kicking foot will require work, but it will be more than worth the effort. A one footed player is slower, less effective, and more predictable.