While the term toe tap may sound fancy, it is a basic football drill that young players need to practice. Toe taps in football are also a good fitness drill for more experienced football players.
There are a few points about the toe tap that players need to keep in mind during football training. Without the right technique and footwork, the drill will not deliver the results that a player is seeking.
What are Toe Taps?
The basic toe tap is a solo football drill that beginners of all ages and fitness levels can perform. Toe taps help in improving ball control, balance, and touch on the ball. Since it raises the heart rate quickly, it is also a great warm-up drill.
In a match, every football player needs to pull or push the ball to ensure smooth rolling movement.
The main purpose of ball control drills is to train the players to use their feet in the right manner for this purpose. The toe taps are a great drill to improve football ball mastery and can also help in mastering the art of juggling the football ball.
A player efficient in football ball control can turn the ball effectively in different directions. This will also allow them to pull the ball away from the opponent or pass it to a teammate quickly by using deft touches.
In addition, toe taps also help in improving the leg strength and core strength of the players. A big advantage of toe taps is it requires no equipment other than a football ball and can be practiced in a small space.
How to Do Toe Taps?
The toe taps in football are basically the classic standing toe tap exercise. Here are the steps needed for performing it.
- Place the football ball in front of the player on the ground. The players should start with either the left foot or the right foot on the ball. Only the toe studs at the front part of the foot should touch the ball.
- Next, the player pushes off from the planted foot and brings it to the top of the ball. At the same time, the other foot is brought back to the ground. The legs should cross each other mid-air
- Let the player continue alternating the feet without stopping. The motion should be somewhat similar to running on stairs.
- The training session can last between 60 to 90 seconds. After that, that player can rest for 15 to 30 seconds and start again. The training drill can be performed in 2 or 3 sets.
As the players improve their skills, other forms of toe taps can be introduced.
Key Points to Remember
- The ball should be placed in front of the player and not too close to their legs. This will prevent a sole roll on the ball.
- Only the toe and the front part of the foot should touch the top of the ball. A player using their entire foot is more likely to lose balance while toe-tapping.
- The players should ensure fast foot movement and should not place their weight on the ball.
- Make sure that the ball does not move away from its spot on the ground
Final Thoughts
Football coaches need to incorporate toe touches as a part of teaching the fundamentals of football to all players, starting with the 4-5-year-olds. Using toe taps in football training helps in better control of the ball, allowing the players to improve their passing and dribbling skills.
