Shot training

[n0f3ai2]

I've been trying to learn how to kick with my non-dominant foot (my left) and was wondering what the best way to get used to it is? I've been just getting my muscles used to locking my ankle by dropping the ball and just juggling it back up (single touches) but whenever I get the ball on to the ground and try to kick I'm usually off balance and I'm not sure if my ankle stays locked. Thanks. I can kick the ball about 15 feet but thats it, any clues on if I'm doing anything wrong?

[appleCORR7]

Either get someone to pass the ball to you, and pass it back or try using your weaker foot by kicking the ball against a wall etc.

You shouldn't really go straight into shooting with your weaker foot as this can cause injury you need to build it up slowly first. And then go onto things like shooting.

appleCORR

[gosh1976]

I never used my weaker foot enough growing up. Although I can pass pretty well and accurately with my left. Even though I'm 31 I still find a wall once in a while and just practice striking the ball with my left over and over. getting as many touches as I can before I get sick of doing it. In the last year I've scored a couple times with my left but never from outside.

[ranova]

Here are my suggestions:
1. When you practice, practice equally with both feet. Alternate them every so many touches.
2. Juggling is good, but use a wall too. Practice collecting the ball too. Initially use two touches. One to collect and one to pass/shoot. (Shooting is just passing into a goal.) While collecting is not shooting, a good first touch is important in an actual game. Without it you are less likely to get a shot off.
3. Assuming you are happy with your technique when using the right foot, you should use your right foot as a guide for how to pass/shoot with your left foot. One should be the mirror image of the other.
4. As you progress start aiming at different spots on the wall, and start adding some one touch strikes against the wall.
5. On working with a goal. Start with working with dead balls. Strike from various angles and distances. Working from the penalty spot out and away from the goal. Be sure to practice both feet at each location. Advanced variations are to use a moving ball (left right forward backward.) First rolling. Then progress to bouncing. After you are comfortable with bouncing balls start with your back to the goal, toss the ball over your head, turn, close, and strike the ball as soon as possible into the goal.
6. Initially practice striking without a run up. Step to the ball with your non-kicking foot and then strike it. You need to include movement of the planted (non-kicking) foot so that you get a proper shift of body weight and your hips and lower back involved, not just the feet.
7. Don't over-think what you are doing. Too much thinking will just cause problems. One idea I have used to avoid the thinking is to line up 5-10 balls about a foot a part in a line from right to left in front of the goal near the penalty spot. Then as quickly as possible shoot all the balls into the goal in quick succession. This should help you get a rhythm going with the weight shifts and the footwork.
8. About locking the ankle--the ankle is locked at the time of impact when passing and shooting. The opposite occurs when collecting with the foot. The muscles should be relaxed when the ball makes contact to help cushion the ball.
9. Work the instep and the inside of the foot first. As you progress you can start working the inside, top, and outside of the instep areas.
10. Finally you can start working on bending the ball. That is striking the ball slightly off-center intentionally in order to put a spin on the ball which causes it to curve in flight (like a baseball pitcher's curve ball) There are 360 degrees of possible bending that you can impart to the ball. Initially you want to hit the ball dead on for no spin which causes the ball to knuckle. This is excellent for shots making it harder for the keeper to judge the ball's flight.

Just keep at it. It takes time, but you will see an improvement.

[arsenalfc08]

My left foot is my weak one as well. At first I started just passing the ball into space with my left. I did that for a while and moved onto shooting.

At first I passed the ball and ran onto it and shot. It was really akward and kept going wide. I got frusterated easily. I kept working at it and it slowly got better.

Now I try to roll the ball, step into it and shoot, its getting better. I'm seeing improvment.

The first time I shot with my left foot I was scared LOL. I really thought I was going to hurt myself or somehow damage my foot because it felt so weird. It still doesn't feel 100% natural but with time it will. Good luck.

I still can't generate any real power like I can with my right, but if the time came where I would need to use it in a game I think I would do all right. In fact in practice I scored with my left, there was no goalie but I was still proud!

[n0f3ai2]

I've just been single juggling the ball in to the air with my left, but whenever i try to kick with my laces when the ball is on the ground I feel off balance and I usually toe it. Starting to get frustrated a bit from trying and not succeeding.

[gosh1976]

I've just been single juggling the ball in to the air with my left, but whenever i try to kick with my laces when the ball is on the ground I feel off balance and I usually toe it. Starting to get frustrated a bit from trying and not succeeding.

try practicing striking the ball with your left without a shoe on. That'll make you correct the technique in a hurry.