Does having a strong left foot provide a real advantage to a player in terms of recruiting? Is this something that coaches look for or do they assume they can develop most kids to kick well with both feet?
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The feedback I've gotten regarding the ability to have a strong left foot is that they like it when a player can play either foot without having to think about it and move effortlessly in either direction.Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
Being able to take set plays with either foot is also a strong point.
Each college coach we spoke too emphasized these points. -
I am sure that daniel day Lewis would be inclined to agree with you.Originally posted by Unregistered View PostComment
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Very few players take set pieces with both feet. It is extremely rare, there are simply too many good players to have a player use their "weak" foot to take a free kick. Not sure I have ever seen this, actually, in over 1,000 matches I have watched or played in.Originally posted by Unregistered View PostComment
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I find it hard to believe that every college coach you spoke to (even one for that matter) said that "being able to take set plays with either foot is also a strong point" - does not make any sense whatsoever.Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
Why would one need to use a weaker foot on a set play?? Fast footwork is when you need both feet to be strong, not set plays!! Imagine David Beckham taking a free kick or corner with his weaker foot OR even worse- imagine if Beckham's coaches told him this when he was younger!! - he probably would not be the multi-million dollar player he is today because he wouldn't have put enough time into working on his strong foot on set plays and his pin-point accuracy would not be where it is today- making him an AVERAGE player.Comment
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There is definitely an advantage for a left back if your are a left foot dominate player to potentially receive more playing time. All the pressure in play would be from the right side so being able to keep balls in and make accurate long passes on the ground and over the top would favor the left footed player without a doubt.Comment
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Having gone through the recruiting process twice (one of each gender) and both having a very strong dominant left footed shot/service it can be an big advantage if the school is looking for a left footed back or outside mid. Just like a lefty pitcher in baseball there are only so many left footed players. Every player has a dominant foot and all players must be able to use both feet well to play the game in college, however if you are lefty it can be an advantage if the school is in need for a left footed skill player with a very strong left footed direct/corner/service ability. We were told by a number of coaches that they were looking to bring in "left footed players" to attack down the left side.Originally posted by Unregistered View PostComment
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Definitely a big plus to be left footed if one is a left back -- every coach wants a left foot left back if they can get a decent one. Also somewhat of a plus at left mid (eg for dribbling up the line and crossing), but useful to have a decent right foot also (for coming inside and shooting). 3d position it is useful at is right wing (say in a 4-3-3) so can come inside and shoot - a la Robben at Bayern Munich.
All players should strive to learn to shoot and cross well with both feet (but risky for a college coach to assume the player will learn that if they can't do it already), but there are very, very few true two-footed players. I remember seeing a technical study of World Cup plays. Almost all players - the best in the world - take 90% of their touches with their dominant foot.Comment
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