All-important Footwork Often Overlooked in High School

The First Step Can Make All the Difference

Athletes advance to the professional level for a good reason – they are the best at what they do.  Chances are they have received excellent coaching along the way, too, of course.  And, most great coaches will tell you that when evaluating talent, one of the first things they watch is an athlete’s footwork.  They can spot the good, the bad and the ugly a mile away.  Athletes that have learned, practiced and put to muscle memory excellent footwork skills have a decided advantage over those with less sophisticated footwork fundamentals.  What’s the big deal, you ask?  Everything begins with the feet.  The first step an athlete takes – that is, the direction, angle and strength of it – dictates what happens next and who has the upper hand in one-on-one battles.  Emulating professionals’ footwork fundamentals is a great way to raise your own game.  It is a key aspect in nearly every sport and one which is sorely lacking at the high school level.  Watch, tape or DVR pro games, study athletes at your position in detail (take notes and review them before each practice) and put them into your routine every day.  Getting better can be only a step or two away in the right direction.