Name: Online seminārs | Pēdas nozīme sportā | 18.09.2026.
Brand: RaivisHscanovics.com
Price: 9.9 EUR
Availability: InStock

Raivis Hščanovičs

Former professional footballer with MLS experience

"Ankle injuries were the biggest challenge I faced during my youth football career. Unfortunately, I don't recall any coach who paid increased attention to this – the importance of the foot and ankle, running technique, and specialized exercises for strengthening them. I had to end my professional football career at the age of 26 precisely after a foot fracture."

Jānis Ikaunieks

Latvian national football team and RFS player

"All shots, passes, and ball control start from the foot. Your ankle is your main support on the field. When it is strong, you have much better stability, faster and more confident changes of direction, a stronger push-off, and more precise ball control. Most importantly, a strong ankle significantly reduces the risk of injury and allows you to play without fear, giving your full power in every play."

Oleksandr Chaun

Former Latvian national team and CSKA Moscow player

"Speaking of my experience, I would always prioritize weight control and nutrition. Even a small weight gain (just 500g) can significantly increase the load on the feet and ankles, which rapidly increases the risk of injury. Secondly, I would definitely recommend a thorough diagnosis and a patient recovery process. You should never rush back to the field too quickly – this almost always leads to recurring problems. These recurring foot and ankle injuries were one of the main reasons why I wasn't able to fully realize my potential on the football field. Therefore, I warmly recommend all young footballers to pay attention to strengthening their ankles and feet to reduce the risk of potential injuries."

Mikhail Konyev

One of the most decorated Latvian football coaches

"In my youth, I sustained many injuries that led to chronic problems with my feet and ankles. At the time, I had the potential to become a good footballer; in Latvia, I was even considered one of the strongest midfielders for my age. However, these chronic foot and ankle injuries prevented me from fully realizing my potential. Now, working as a coach, I see very clearly – strong and healthy feet and ankles are one of the main prerequisites for a young footballer to build a sustainable professional career. Without them, it is extremely difficult to reach a high level. Therefore, to all young footballers with serious goals, I strongly recommend paying increased attention to this particular aspect from early childhood."

Kristaps Grebis

Liepāja football top scorer

"Although I didn't have many foot and ankle injuries during my career, I understood very well the importance of strong feet and ankles. Everything in football starts from the ground up. When your ankle is weak, you unconsciously save yourself during changes of direction and landings. This takes away confidence and speed. If I had started to specifically train my feet and ankles earlier, I am sure I would have had more strength and stability on the field. It really is the foundation of the whole game."

Guntars Silagailis

"Rēzekne" team's head coach / former professional footballer

"As a former professional footballer and now a youth coach, I've seen the same scenario many times – young players train their thighs and calves a lot, but almost no one trains their feet and ankles. During my own career, my ankle was never my biggest weakness, but the more I played, the clearer I understood – everything starts from the bottom. When your ankle and foot are strong, you have completely different confidence when changing direction and landing. This gives you the freedom to play without fear and at full power. I am convinced that targeted foot and ankle training is one of the smartest things a young footballer can do for their development."

Raivis Hščanovičs

Former professional footballer with MLS experience

"Ankle injuries were the biggest challenge I faced during my youth football career. Unfortunately, I don't recall any coach who paid increased attention to this – the importance of the foot and ankle, running technique, and specialized exercises for strengthening them. I had to end my professional football career at the age of 26 precisely after a foot fracture."

Jānis Ikaunieks

Latvian national football team and RFS player

"All shots, passes, and ball control start from the foot. Your ankle is your main support on the field. When it is strong, you have much better stability, faster and more confident changes of direction, a stronger push-off, and more precise ball control. Most importantly, a strong ankle significantly reduces the risk of injury and allows you to play without fear, giving your full power in every play."

Oleksandr Chaun

Former Latvian national team and CSKA Moscow player

"Speaking of my experience, I would always prioritize weight control and nutrition. Even a small weight gain (just 500g) can significantly increase the load on the feet and ankles, which rapidly increases the risk of injury. Secondly, I would definitely recommend a thorough diagnosis and a patient recovery process. You should never rush back to the field too quickly – this almost always leads to recurring problems. These recurring foot and ankle injuries were one of the main reasons why I wasn't able to fully realize my potential on the football field. Therefore, I warmly recommend all young footballers to pay attention to strengthening their ankles and feet to reduce the risk of potential injuries."

Mikhail Konyev

One of the most decorated Latvian football coaches

"In my youth, I sustained many injuries that led to chronic problems with my feet and ankles. At the time, I had the potential to become a good footballer; in Latvia, I was even considered one of the strongest midfielders for my age. However, these chronic foot and ankle injuries prevented me from fully realizing my potential. Now, working as a coach, I see very clearly – strong and healthy feet and ankles are one of the main prerequisites for a young footballer to build a sustainable professional career. Without them, it is extremely difficult to reach a high level. Therefore, to all young footballers with serious goals, I strongly recommend paying increased attention to this particular aspect from early childhood."

Kristaps Grebis

Liepāja football top scorer

"Although I didn't have many foot and ankle injuries during my career, I understood very well the importance of strong feet and ankles. Everything in football starts from the ground up. When your ankle is weak, you unconsciously save yourself during changes of direction and landings. This takes away confidence and speed. If I had started to specifically train my feet and ankles earlier, I am sure I would have had more strength and stability on the field. It really is the foundation of the whole game."

Guntars Silagailis

"Rēzekne" team's head coach / former professional footballer

"As a former professional footballer and now a youth coach, I've seen the same scenario many times – young players train their thighs and calves a lot, but almost no one trains their feet and ankles. During my own career, my ankle was never my biggest weakness, but the more I played, the clearer I understood – everything starts from the bottom. When your ankle and foot are strong, you have completely different confidence when changing direction and landing. This gives you the freedom to play without fear and at full power. I am convinced that targeted foot and ankle training is one of the smartest things a young footballer can do for their development."

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What the professionals say

Raivis Hščanovičs

Jānis Ikaunieks

Oleksandr Chaun

Mikhail Konyev

Kristaps Grebis

Guntars Silagailis

Raivis Hščanovičs

Jānis Ikaunieks

Oleksandr Chaun

Mikhail Konyev

Kristaps Grebis

Guntars Silagailis

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