Why are so many soccer players one-footed?

gustavo

Colemania wrote: »

Have to agree also with the OP. I'm pretty hopeless at soccer compared to even amateur soccer players but when I was about 13 I started kicking the ball off the wall using my left (weak) foot and kept doing it so much that I could pass pretty well with it, cross decent enough with it and shoot from close range well with it too. It's not rocket science. Anyone in the world can improve their weak foot by doing the same. The fact that these professional footballers do it for a living day in and day out and still can't pass or shoot on their weak foot is pathetic. I've played soccer with lads who just play soccer part time and some are great with both feet. You see a hurler shoot from either side and a lot of gaelic footballers can shoot from their hands with both feet (which is much harder than hitting it on the ground) and these guys don't even get paid. In many aspects, GAA players really show up soccer players all over the world!

If only someone had told all those footballers all they had to do is practice with it and they'd all be as good as you are

Fuzzy_Dunlop

premierstone wrote: »

He's team mate Wellbeck is worse IMO, Santi Cazorla is the complete opposirte, so much so that I haven't a clue which is supposed to be he's stronger side.

That's something I love about Santi. Although I believe he has said that his right foot is his preferred one.

Cienciano

bucketybuck wrote: »

Another one who believes that the very act of receiving some money magically means you can now do something you couldn't before. Let me put this in simple terms, hopefully you will understand.

I played club GAA for over ten years, was one of those keen players that went to every training session, had a lot of strength and pace but unfortunately no great accuracy. Ten years of training hard, and still I couldn't shoot worth a damn. It was nothing to do with hard work, I simply didn't have the physical aptitude for accurate shooting, god knows I tried.

Now that pace and strength could have translated into a very good footballer, and perhaps I could have made a good career for myself, maybe even gotten paid to play somewhere. And in your world, getting that pay check would now mean that I need to be a much better shot than I was previously, after all, any professional footballer should be able to shoot, right?

Wrong. That money hasn't changed who I am physically. I can train every single freaking day and come game time and I am 40 yards out from goal, its still a crapshoot whether I score that point or not. We all know professionals can work and perfect their skills, but sometimes if it ain't there, then it just ain't there.

Antonio Valencia clearly has an issue using his left foot. This idea that he just needs to work at it more is quite naive, he will have been working at it for years now, but obviously he simply cannot use it to any comfortable degree. And the fact that he gets paid money by a football club will not change that in the slightest.

So training other than strenght/fitness is pointless, you either have it, or you don't? Didn't Becks spend hours training on is free kicks. Ronaldo is famous for spending hours practicing his dribbling.
This isn't rocket science. Spend an hour playing just with your weak foot, passing against a wall or to your mate. An hour makes a difference. Now, imagine 3 hours a week from when you're 16? You reckon that will make no difference? You're wrong.

bucketybuck

Cienciano wrote: »

You reckon that will make no difference? You're wrong.

Except thats not what I said, please read for comprehension.

Using the left foot is actually an interesting one. Lots of people here with stories of how they kicked a ping pong ball against a gate for six years and improved their left foot no end, but, I would wager that at best they became merely competent with their left foot.

I would also bet that the striking action they have with their left is still very different and less natural than the one they have with their natural right, its still a forced action, not as fluid as they would like.

I used to have this issue fisting the ball with my left hand, I could do it sure, but it was a very awkward process, not at all natural.

2nd Row Donkey

In relation to the OP, I have yet to see a one-footed professional footballer. Can't imagine any club paying a one footed footballer 50quid a week nevermind 50K

I did see 1 or 2 of them in the last paralymic that were decent enough, Then there was the one-footed wrestler in the WWE about 10 years ago. He proved that despite his disability you can make it to the top of your chosen sport.

dreamers75

Cienciano wrote: »

So training other than strenght/fitness is pointless, you either have it, or you don't? Didn't Becks spend hours training on is free kicks. Ronaldo is famous for spending hours practicing his dribbling.
This isn't rocket science. Spend an hour playing just with your weak foot, passing against a wall or to your mate. An hour makes a difference. Now, imagine 3 hours a week from when you're 16? You reckon that will make no difference? You're wrong.

Your wrong.


Theres a reason we use which ever foot we use and why theres a word for people who can use both.

Clear to see who has played/plays football in this thread.

Practice lol sign that man up as a coach, he cleary knows more than modern sports scientists.

sydthebeat

Giggsys played 21 seasons with one foot

y0ssar1an22

dreamers75 wrote: »

Your wrong.


Theres a reason we use which ever foot we use and why theres a word for people who can use both.

Clear to see who has played/plays football in this thread.

Practice lol sign that man up as a coach, he cleary knows more than modern sports scientists.

I would suspect sports scientists haven't looked at this in great detail. There are a ton of muscles used in a kicking motion. Some are easy to develop, such as quads. Some of the small and obscure muscles that, combined, also play a large role in the motion are harder to develop.
There is a way to develop these muscles.
The planted foot also plays a role in the kicking motion, and if you can improve your balance and form with the planted foot, you should be able to improve ability with weaker foot.
These 2 combined, along with practice, and muscle memory; if the player is committed; can improve there weaker foot to a very adequate level.
It will never be as good as your natural foot (with a few exceptions) but you should be able to cross/pass/shoot with your weaker foot. Maybe not a 40 yard bullet, but certainly a 10 yard shot with the ball coming across box on your weaker side.

sydthebeat

The best example of the ' practise makes perfect' slogan is bobby charlton.

Cienciano

dreamers75 wrote: »

Your wrong.


Theres a reason we use which ever foot we use and why theres a word for people who can use both.

Clear to see who has played/plays football in this thread.

Practice lol sign that man up as a coach, he cleary knows more than modern sports scientists.

Do modern footballers train on their weak foot? Yes. Ask yourself why? I've no idea why people have a hard time believing practice makes you better at something. This isn't some secret that sports scientists don't know!

bucketybuck wrote: »

Except thats not what I said, please read for comprehension.

Using the left foot is actually an interesting one. Lots of people here with stories of how they kicked a ping pong ball against a gate for six years and improved their left foot no end, but, I would wager that at best they became merely competent with their left foot.

I would also bet that the striking action they have with their left is still very different and less natural than the one they have with their natural right, its still a forced action, not as fluid as they would like.

I used to have this issue fisting the ball with my left hand, I could do it sure, but it was a very awkward process, not at all natural.

You won't be perfect on it, I don't think anyone is arguing this. But good enough to take a shot. Lots of footballers score with either foot, so there's proof that it can be done. The problem (i'm assuming) the op has, is that some players seem completely unable to do it. Great positions to take a shot with the left, and they'll go for the more difficult right.

inforfun

Robin van Persie, when getting into the Feyenoord team, only had his right leg because otherwise he probably would fall over.
And look at him now. He did train very hard on becoming 2 footed but i guess because of his enormous talent, it was easier for him than for others.
And he was also willing to invest a lot of time in improving himself.

Captain Havoc

Mirror of colemania, I'm not very good but I practiced on my left foot and make a point of using it in training. I'm not afraid to use it in matches and it's gotten me out of holes. I think the OP isn't asking for players to be ambidextrous but to be at least able to use the bad foot some way accurately which if their job, they should be. Does anyone here tell their boss they can only use one hand for work?

dmc17

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

Valencia maybe the most one sided footballer I have seen.

Anderson doesn't even have 1 good foot!

bucketybuck

dmc17 wrote: »

Anderson doesn't even have 1 good foot!

He's got one food gut.

TimeToShine

bucketybuck wrote: »

Another one who believes that the very act of receiving some money magically means you can now do something you couldn't before. Let me put this in simple terms, hopefully you will understand.

I played club GAA for over ten years, was one of those keen players that went to every training session, had a lot of strength and pace but unfortunately no great accuracy. Ten years of training hard, and still I couldn't shoot worth a damn. It was nothing to do with hard work, I simply didn't have the physical aptitude for accurate shooting, god knows I tried.

Now that pace and strength could have translated into a very good footballer, and perhaps I could have made a good career for myself, maybe even gotten paid to play somewhere. And in your world, getting that pay check would now mean that I need to be a much better shot than I was previously, after all, any professional footballer should be able to shoot, right?

Wrong. That money hasn't changed who I am physically. I can train every single freaking day and come game time and I am 40 yards out from goal, its still a crapshoot whether I score that point or not. We all know professionals can work and perfect their skills, but sometimes if it ain't there, then it just ain't there.

Antonio Valencia clearly has an issue using his left foot. This idea that he just needs to work at it more is quite naive, he will have been working at it for years now, but obviously he simply cannot use it to any comfortable degree. And the fact that he gets paid money by a football club will not change that in the slightest.

How could you possibly compare yourself as an average joe footballer to top level professional athletes? Never mind GAA, this is football, the most competitive sport in the world. You compete on an international stage against the cream of the crop from every country in the world, not a 15 a side kickabout with the lads up the road. Now to think you can compare your situation to that of a premier league/CL footballer, people who have been specifically identified as the best in the world at what they do is absurd.

bucketybuck

TimeToShine wrote: »

How could you possibly compare yourself as an average joe footballer to top level professional athletes? Never mind GAA, this is football, the most competitive sport in the world. You compete on an international stage against the cream of the crop from every country in the world, not a 15 a side kickabout with the lads up the road. Now to think you can compare your situation to that of a premier league/CL footballer, people who have been specifically identified as the best in the world at what they do is absurd.

Stop frothing and actually read the posts, because you missed the point so badly I don't even know where to start.

Andersonisgod

I am going to have to mention him because nobody else has yet and because he is do ridiculously good with both feet but for me David Luiz is one of the best players from both feet in the world. He can play either side, he can lead with either foot when jostling, I've seen him play crazy sweeping passes from both feet, I've seen him shoot with both feet, I've seen him take freekicks from left and right foot. He's a properly gifted player with both feet.

dreamers75

y0ssar1an22 wrote: »

I would suspect sports scientists haven't looked at this in great detail. There are a ton of muscles used in a kicking motion. Some are easy to develop, such as quads. Some of the small and obscure muscles that, combined, also play a large role in the motion are harder to develop.
There is a way to develop these muscles.
The planted foot also plays a role in the kicking motion, and if you can improve your balance and form with the planted foot, you should be able to improve ability with weaker foot.
These 2 combined, along with practice, and muscle memory; if the player is committed; can improve there weaker foot to a very adequate level.
It will never be as good as your natural foot (with a few exceptions) but you should be able to cross/pass/shoot with your weaker foot. Maybe not a 40 yard bullet, but certainly a 10 yard shot with the ball coming across box on your weaker side.

Cienciano wrote: »

Do modern footballers train on their weak foot? Yes. Ask yourself why? I've no idea why people have a hard time believing practice makes you better at something. This isn't some secret that sports scientists don't know!

You won't be perfect on it, I don't think anyone is arguing this. But good enough to take a shot. Lots of footballers score with either foot, so there's proof that it can be done. The problem (i'm assuming) the op has, is that some players seem completely unable to do it. Great positions to take a shot with the left, and they'll go for the more difficult right.

Please hand back your access to the soccer forum (OP called it that, clearly a troll)

Seriously hand it back, you talking about ****e you have no ****ing clue about.

Mushy

dreamers75 wrote: »

Please hand back your access to the soccer forum (OP called it that, clearly a troll)

Seriously hand it back, you talking about ****e you have no ****ing clue about.

How don't they? I don't think anyone is saying that they should be as good with their weak foot, just that they should be able to competently pass the ball or maybe take the odd shot without totally relying on their strong foot?

lordgoat

From a very non professional footballer. I practiced with old leftie for years. Nothing serious, just i'd play practice games where i'd use my left foot the whole time, and mirror how i shot with my right with it. After 7/8 years of practice and 7 aside i can pass and take a corner decently with either foot. No real power on my weaker side but accuracy def improves and it improves overall comfort on the ball.

Edit: I'll also cross/shoot with my left if that's the best option rather than take a touch and swap sides.

It shocks me that pro's in the game will use the outside of the right for a pass that is easier with the left. But hey, what do i know?

Cienciano

lordgoat wrote: »

From a very non professional footballer. I practiced with old leftie for years. Nothing serious, just i'd play practice games where i'd use my left foot the whole time, and mirror how i shot with my right with it. After 7/8 years of practice and 7 aside i can pass and take a corner decently with either foot. No real power on my weaker side but accuracy def improves and it improves overall comfort on the ball.

Edit: I'll also cross/shoot with my left if that's the best option rather than take a touch and swap sides.

It shocks me that pro's in the game will use the outside of the right for a pass that is easier with the left. But hey, what do i know?

To be honest, I thought pretty much everyone here would be in the same boat. Unbelievable that people actually think you can't improve your weaker foot!

Optimalprimerib

dreamers75 wrote: »

Please hand back your access to the soccer forum (OP called it that, clearly a troll)

Seriously hand it back, you talking about ****e you have no ****ing clue about.

Its great to have alex ferguson on the forum to correct us cretins. Can you be as obnoxius on both feet or are you one sided as well?

klose

Andersonisgod wrote: »

I am going to have to mention him because nobody else has yet and because he is do ridiculously good with both feet but for me David Luiz is one of the best players from both feet in the world. He can play either side, he can lead with either foot when jostling, I've seen him play crazy sweeping passes from both feet, I've seen him shoot with both feet, I've seen him take freekicks from left and right foot. He's a properly gifted player with both feet.

Im amazed you didnt mention adriano, hes as two footed as they come.

Andersonisgod

klose wrote: »

Im amazed you didnt mention adriano, hes as two footed as they come.

Absolutely and he's scored really great goals from both feet, can play right back or left back (or centre back, or as a winger and probably as a central midfielder too) though David Luiz is the one that sprung to mind when I saw the thread title.

con___manx1

anthony pilkinghton can play with both feet. i watched a youtbe video of him recently. his shot is just as powerful right or left. i couldn't believe it.hope he plays on friday. i really dont think he will tho.

bassy

Why are so many snooker players right handed?
same reason as most of us can only write with one hand

Local_Chap

bassy wrote: »

Why are so many snooker players right handed?
same reason as most of us can only write with one hand

Going a bit off topic here but didn't Ronnie O`Sullivan beat Peter Ebdon in a frame playing with his left hand

hefferboi

2 personal examples for me that prove all you need is practice.

1 is of my friend. Serious at everything he played. Hurling, football and soccer. He was naturally right footed but said when he saw a Roberto Carlos rocket into the top corner when he was younger that he wanted a good left leg as well. So he practiced and practiced and now it's as good as his right. He prefers his left but can use either.

The other is me. I used to be extremely left footed and the boys would slag me no end about it. So I just said fcuk it ill use my right a bit more. Didn't really practice it much but would use it regularly in matches and training. It's not as good as my left but I've scored some belters with it. I can pass short as good but not long passes.


Anyone who says you can't train your weaker foot to be as good as your stronger foot is wrong. Imo, you can coach anyone to be better at any attribute in soccer, except speed.

hefferboi

Also, I read somewhere that when Bale was in school, his p.e teacher would ban him from using his left leg so the other kids would have a chance.

Didn't make him less one footed though

Soby

Crespo was brilliant with both feet in fact dont think I ever found out what foot he actually was