The expression ‘quick feet’ is arguably one that wouldn’t make much sense to someone outside of the sporting realm. Quick feet is a term commonly used across many sports, but normally sports that require some footwork, for example, soccer, football, rugby, etc., as opposed to a sport like baseball. That is not to say, however, that quick feet aren’t an asset in baseball, but in a general sense, quick feet are more applicable to sports where footwork is a bit more complicated than strictly running.
Footwork, in sports, basically describes someone’s ability to make their opponent, or defender, look a bit goofy. Having quick feet means you’re able to easily dart and dodge around people; you can make a solid ‘step,’ a commonly used term in rugby which refers to dekeing, or quickly getting around someone; and that your feet, in general, are quick to move.
I’ve played a forward position in rugby for my entire career, up until this upcoming season. I’m playing in a back position, and it is an asset to have quick feet, so I’ve been doing some thinking and researching to determine how to go about improving my footwork. I was surprised to read that jump rope is a great way to enhance footwork, but, really, it makes sense; the idea of jumping up and down, repeatedly, over a rope is certainly one way to increase the pace of your feet, and I’m a little disappointed in myself that I didn’t think of this sooner.
Another great way to enhance footwork is by using an agility ladder. They lay on the ground, and the idea is to step in between each slot as quickly as possible, eventually working in more complicated steps.
There are plenty of videos you can watch if you’re looking for some footwork inspiration, and I hope this post helps to serve as a starting point.
Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash
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