What is the viral ‘foot and 6’ trick?

Can you rotate your right hand and right ankle in opposite directions? That’s the viral ‘Foot and 6’ trick that challenges your brain’s motor skills. This exercise requires you to rotate your hand clockwise, as the arm needs to form a ‘6’ (and, as such, is a contrasting action). Are you able to do it?
Neurosurgeon Dr Arun L Naik recently explained the science behind it in an Instagram post, sharing that those who can ace the challenge are among the five per cent of people who are “superbrainers.” “Are you a superbrainer? There’s a viral neuroscience challenge that almost nobody can do: draw a smooth clockwise circle with your right foot while your right hand draws the number 6 in the air. For most people, the foot suddenly flips direction without permission. This isn’t a make — it’s your brain short-circuiting.”
He continued, “Your right foot and right hand share the same motor cortex, and when you ask that one hemisphere to run two opposite rotation programs at the same time, the supplementary motor area tries to merge the movements, while the cerebellum steps in to ‘correct’ the conflict. The result? Your foot automatically obeys your hand. And if you can keep the foot clockwise the whole time… congratulations — you’re in the top 5 per cent of super brains!”
He also added that if you’re a lefty, the circle should be anti-clockwise and the number should be nine written in a circular fashion using your left hand.
Intrigued the trick, we decided to understand more about how it works.
Dr Sheetal Goyal, a consultant neurolog at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central, explained that this trick asks the brain to do something it isn’t naturally wired to handle: running two conflicting movement patterns on the same side of the body simultaneously.
“Overlapping areas in the motor cortex control the right hand and right foot. The supplementary motor area, which plans and coordinates complex movements, tries to manage both actions simultaneously—while the cerebellum, responsible for smoothness and error correction, steps in to resolve the mismatch. Because hand movements are usually more precise and dominant, the brain unconsciously adjusts the foot to follow the hand’s direction. This switch happens automatically, without conscious awareness,” said Dr Goyal.Story continues below this ad
This response is completely normal. “The brain prioritises efficiency over performing conflicting tasks at the same time. Failing the challenge has nothing to do with intelligence, reflexes, or brain health; it’s simply how the nervous system is designed to work,” said Dr Goyal.
What about people who can do it successfully?
A small percentage of people can keep both movements independent. According to Dr Goyal, this is often seen in individuals with extensive motor training, such as dancers, musicians, or athletes. “It reflects refined motor control and practice rather than a ‘super brain’ or superior intelligence,” contended Dr Goyal.

Why do left-handed people have a different version of the task?
Interestingly, left-handed individuals often show different patterns of motor dominance. “Reversing the movements anticlockwise foot motion and drawing a circular ‘9’ creates a similar conflict for their dominant side, producing the same effect,” said Dr Goyal.

Should people worry if they can’t do it?
There’s no need for concern. “This challenge is a fun way to show how the brain simplifies complex movement demands. It’s an interesting demonstration of neuroscience, not a medical or diagnostic test,” stressed Dr Goyal.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before startin