[Football] Using both feet

[8049]

Am I the only person to be confused and bemused as to why so few professional footballers can use both feet? I don't mean to the same level of ability but to at least be able to use their weaker foot with a degree of comfort and confidence? The point was made again to me yesterday when Aubameyang elected to attempt a scissor-kick curler with the outside of his right boot instead of taking the much easier volley with his left.

In an era of marginal gains, I don't understand why this isn't an area that coaches focus on. An extra 20 minutes of training a day where players practice shooting, crossing or passing using only their weaker foot could yield massive results.

Is there a reason why this isn't done?

 

[Bodian]

Knocky uses both feet. But only when tackling!!

 

[Sussex Nomad]

I am proud to say at my lower league level I could use both feet to pass, cross and score and never had a scooby what is was like to not know how to use both. In fact, at my junior school, my PE teacher, Mr Hill (Benny's brother - no lie) told me I had to choose between feet in order to play for the first team, different era, I know. I said left, but really I was right footed with no real allegiance to either. So seeing people picking up 30k a week for one foot does leave me rather gobsmacked.

 

[TWOCHOICEStom]

Players do train with their weaker feet. But, the reality is that in a match situation, you will always prefer to get it onto the foot you're most comfortable with unless you have no choice.

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

Steve Gatting was hilarious at times watching him run in circles so he could kick with his left foot

 

[sydney]

Gross missed a sitter with his right that would have been a side foot with his left......Leno's save from Solly diving header was a great bit of play that hardly got a mention ....funny old game .

 

[Justice]

Gross missed a sitter with his right that would have been a side foot with his left......Leno's save from Solly diving header was a great bit of play that hardly got a mention ....funny old game .

I have no idea what his plan was there did he go for power or had a few quid on the score draw?

 

[Palacefinder General]

Like the OP, this has always surprised me, especially as body and mind will adapt to many things, often to the extent that the ability is as good as, if not sometimes even better on the non-favoured side after a period of adjustment and training. At work I switched my mouse right to left hand after getting RSI twinges in my right hand and now it's more natural using it left handed at work, although I still use a mouse right handed at home, maybe not comparable to kicking a ball, but even so...

 

[neilbard]

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[Mike Small]

All of our wingers and strikers (Locadia excepted) are poor with their other foot. Agree with the OP. I'm slow and weak but taught myself to be able to play with both feet so pisses me off when I see so many players unable to use two feet.

 

[Sirnormangall]

Gross missed a sitter with his right that would have been a side foot with his left......Leno's save from Solly diving header was a great bit of play that hardly got a mention ....funny old game .

My youngest asked me today how Gross missed that chance and I said because he favours his right foot and wasn’t confident to use his left. I agree it’s surprising how many one-footed players earn a living at the top level of football - but there are many examples of that, going back years, including great players such as Keegan, Owen, Lampard.

 

[perseus]

I am proud to say at my lower league level I could use both feet to pass, cross and score and never had a scooby what is was like to not know how to use both. In fact, at my junior school, my PE teacher, Mr Hill (Benny's brother - no lie) told me I had to choose between feet in order to play for the first team, different era, I know. I said left, but really I was right footed with no real allegiance to either. So seeing people picking up 30k a week for one foot does leave me rather gobsmacked.

I think the natural aptitude is genetic. I was very much like an opposite Knockaert, power but no control over my weak foot. Defenders knew which way I would go and I was not quick enough to spurt away, so the defender could recover and catch me up.

 

[Triggaaar]

Am I the only person to be confused and bemused as to why so few professional footballers can use both feet? I don't mean to the same level of ability but to at least be able to use their weaker foot with a degree of comfort and confidence? The point was made again to me yesterday when Aubameyang elected to attempt a scissor-kick curler with the outside of his right boot instead of taking the much easier volley with his left.

It's a fair question, but I don't think your example is the best. Using your other foot with a degree of comfort and confidence is one thing, using it to volley a crossed ball is another.

As to the answer...
some players just aren't any good with their other foot.

You're welcome.

 

[Sussex Nomad]

I think the natural aptitude is genetic. I was very much like an opposite Knockaert, power but no control over my weak foot. Defenders knew which way I would go and I was not quick enough to spurt away, so the defender could recover and catch me up.

But, you think, with the amount of money they are paid, they, as defenders would know which way to take a player. You don't allow Knocky inside of you, it really is that simple no? I could do both feet so had an advantage, in fact the last game I ever played I scored five on my left foot, but I'm right footed. What do these overpaid knobs not get?

 

[Bry Nylon]

I could do both feet so had an advantage, in fact the last game I ever played I scored five on my left foot, but I'm right footed. What do these overpaid knobs not get?

...

 

[Sussex Nomad]

...

The best thing about you're ill informed reply is that I now know there are some people here that really are 'look at me'. I need a gang. you sad little man.

 

[Coach_Carter_92]

It's instinct. The same way if something is thrown to/at you the majority of people try to catch with their dominant hand (unless they use both hands, but I've never seen a footballer try and volley with both feet at the same time).

 

[Sussex Nomad]

...

Never got your gang you idiot. You were desperate for people to join you. Everything I said about me as a player was 100% and there are people on here that would back me up. You, on the other hand, are a self fulfilling idiot that needs back up. And for your information, football is a sport, played against other teams where the aim is to score more goals. I hope you understand that.

 

[Easy 10]

The best thing about you're ill informed reply is that I now know there are some people here that really are 'look at me'. I need a gang. you sad little man.

Never got your gang you idiot. You were desperate for people to join you. Everything I said about me as a player was 100% and there are people on here that would back me up. You, on the other hand, are a self fulfilling idiot that needs back up. And for your information, football is a sport, played against other teams where the aim is to score more goals. I hope you understand that.

 

[Easy 10]

The OP has hit upon one of my little bugbears, Yes, professional footballers SHOULD be adept at using both feet - what the fook else have they got to do all day ? OK one foot is always naturally going to be stronger than the other, but bloody hell, there's nowt wrong with bringing the OTHER one a bit more up to scratch, is there ? Gross's miss at the Emirates was truly painful.

I've always wondered how an ambidextrous tennis player would get on. Imagine a player that could toss his or her racket from right hand to left and SMASH the granny out of it regardless, in any given situation. What a player we would have there to behold. Tossing the racket from one hand to the other to reach that forehand volley going down the tramlines....wow. Ronnie O'Sullivan can do it with a cue. Why can't a tennis player do it with a racket ?

These are sports professionals. They literally have NOTHING else to do all day. There's no excuse for not being able to properly spank it with either limb.