Two-footedness / Technique

[Leo No.8]

Isn't it incredible how many players in the Premier League can't use their 'other' foot? You'd think they'd just train on it loads and improve. We've got players who are terrified to use their wrong foot (we all know who the offenders are!).

 

What is interesting to note though, is how superior our Spanish players are in that regard and generally in the technical aspects of the game.

 

Garcia is equally happy with either foot; he slightly favours his left but he can score from distance with either foot, say looking at Juve and Charlton at Anfield last season, which is pretty damned impressive.

 

Xabi is equally impressive in that respect; the newspapers certainly didn't pick up on the fact that not only did he score form 60 yards the other day, he did it with his 'wrong' foot.

 

So why is it then that the player coming from over there are so much more technically adept? Is it drummed in more at a young age, or is it the different tempo of the game allows them to get used to using both feet? Perhaps it's just a latin thing?

 

You see it said a lot that players from abroad are good technically, but none of the so-called experts really try to explain why.

 

Any thoughts?

[Kite]

Finnnan, Gerrard, Carragher, Hyypia all nice and comfortable on both feet. Perhaps they holiday in Spain?

[Leo No.8]

All of those players are comfortable passing at reasonably short range with both feet I agree; compared to say Riise whose right is no better than Sunday league level they are two-footed!

 

But in terms of being able to do anything they can with their right with their left, personally I don't think so. The Spaniards are another level up.

 

I don't believe any of the players you mentioned could score from 30 yards with their wrong foot, or play a 50 yard pass onto postage stamp they was Luis and Xabi can...

[Kite]

I picked those four for that specific reason, others in the team are also comfortable on both feet but those four are easy examples of players who will ping long balls, or score in the case of Gerrard, with either foot.

[KBR]

I think this will vary from country to country as everyone plays a differant style of game. The spanish have always been more technical players than the english and I think it is something players are taught at a younger age. The english style is more physical & places greater emphasis on power & work rate.

 

Why do you think so many players from more technically gifted playing nations can't cut it in the premiership? It's a totally differant ball game here.... (apart from our boys - cos they are that fookin good!)

 

Even joe cole who is supposed to be "technically gifted" (I can't see it myself) has a lousy left foot too & he's supposed to be one of the better english players.

 

It's just the way it is here... they drum it into you at a yonger age to play physical & they ignore other areas which make a more complete player.

[Flasher]

The difference comes at a very early age.

 

Over here, you start playing competitive 11-a-side very young, so the emphisis is on the game itself. I started playing 11-a-side at the age of 5 with big goals (no technique needed for scroing in those things with a midget in goal).

 

Abroad, this happens much later. Initially kids play smaller, short games, with smaller goals, where the emphasis is more on ball control, passing and movement.

 

Things are changing now. Younger kids over here do play much smaller games on smaller pitches with smaller goals to start with, but the focus is still on the game ahead, rather than individual development.

 

Also, even at the professional clubs, you still hear stories of kids being turned away for being too small, re-inforcing the fact the over here, the skills you need are strength, speed and quick decision making.

 

Abroad, these bits are developed later in life, as anyone can get really physically fit at any time, and rightly so to.

 

The game here is very quick, so I guess people get less time to practice in a game and in training.

 

Sad though. All you need is a ball, a brick wall and 30 mins a day. Easy.

[honourablegeorge]

It's one huge difference between us now and the Houiller era - GH tended to sign players who were athletes first, and technical ability was second. Rafa works the other way around - which to me is the onyl way that makes sense - you can put Luis Garcia in a weights room for six months and he'll get stronger, but you can't put a Heskey in a room for six months and expect him to emerge with a first touch.

 

As for the difference between here and Spain, i suspect it's half cultural - the pace and way the game in general is played here, and half coaching - too much emphasis on strength and size and too many young lads playing on full pitches, instead of skill-based small pitch/indoor games where touch and control are prized above all else.

[anny road]

Stephen J when joined city at the age of 8 was all right foot

 

They tried to coach him on his left foot..........to the extent that when he reached the age of 15 he was all left foot

[Ombudsam]

Even joe cole who is supposed to be "technically gifted" (I can't see it myself) has a lousy left foot too & he's supposed to be one of the better english players.

 

did someone else score that goal against arsenal?

[CarraLegend]

did someone else score that goal against arsenal?

 

Riise had a brilliant right footed shot away to Anderlecht, does that now mean he's got a great right foot?

[Ombudsam]

Riise had a brilliant right footed shot away to Anderlecht, does that now mean he's got a great right foot?

 

yes, yes it does.

 

I don't buy the initial premise of "oh look aren't all foreign players wonderfully two footed while british players have no technique". It's pseudo-intellectualiasing b0ll0x that people love to come out with. Just like when they say english players don't go abroad because they aren't good enough or culturally backwards

[CarraLegend]

 

 

I don't buy the initial premise of "oh look aren't all foreign players wonderfully two footed while british players have no technique". It's pseudo-intellectualiasing b0ll0x that people love to come out with. Just like when they say english players don't go abroad because they aren't good enough or culturally backwards

 

Thanks for letting me know that on a question about Riises right foot.

[The Hitman]

Stephen J when joined city at the age of 8 was all right foot

 

They tried to coach him on his left foot..........to the extent that when he reached the age of 15 he was all left foot

Having a decent left foot is an invaluable commodity in English football though!

[Ombudsam]

Thanks for letting me know that on a question about Riises right foot.

 

The new paragraph indicated that i'd dealt with the asinine and was moving on to something of worth. Sorry it hurt you to read that bit further.

[Ratters]

Finnan is very good with both feet.

[RP]

The problem is in the coaching kids receive at an early age - the emphasis being often on how far a kid can kick a ball, isn't that right Murph?

[Guest KD2OO4]

Being 2 footed myself. I can tell you from experience it adds a couple of dimensions to your game other than passing and shooting at goal.

 

Its easier to tackle with either foot as you have far more balance and control of your limbs. The other benefit is being able to control the ball easier as well.

[KBR]

did someone else score that goal against arsenal?

The odd goal here or there by with the weaker foot doesn't make someone 2 footed/technically gifted... or are you a chelski fan in disguise?

 

I don't buy the initial premise of "oh look aren't all foreign players wonderfully two footed while british players have no technique". It's pseudo-intellectualiasing b0ll0x that people love to come out with. Just like when they say english players don't go abroad because they aren't good enough or culturally backwards

I don't think it's ever a question of English players aren't good enough... but some do buckle under cultural change hence not many go abroad. Many have failed in the past on that bases alone but their talent was never questioned as they come back & continue to play well.

[Guest AdamS]

Essien has a spectacular technique when it comes to being two footed.

[Mad_Fer_It]

Gerrard is extremely two footed...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Remember that lunge on Gary Naysmith...

 

CLASS!!! lol

[George Costanza]

Collymore was good with both feet.

 

My memory might be poor but didn't Andreas Brehme take pens with his supposed weaker foot?

[benno2]

Collymore was good with both feet.

 

My memory might be poor but didn't Andreas Brehme take pens with his supposed weaker foot?

 

The 1990 World Cup Final winning penalty was taken with his right foot and he was a left wing-back, so I guess so.

 

Gordon Cowans was the most two footed player I can remember, he took free-kicks and corners with both feet. Not seen many do that no matter where they're from. Other than Gianfranco Zola perhaps.

[Mike]

pele

[Guz]

Finnan is very good with both feet.

 

He's excellent, our best (or atleast most consistent) crosser of the ball too I'd say which is why I'd really like to see him on corners/free kicks. Everytime he cuts back onto his left foot you think he'll have to pass it back or pass it square but he can come out with a beauty of a cross with his left foot.

[berdoing]

It's all to do with practice.

 

Back in the day, whenever my mates played football, I used to get shunted on to the left wing because I wasn't quite as good as the right winger. It ended up that I became rather decent with my left foot, while still good with the right. Which made me far more useful than the others.

 

If they practice, it will come. Hard work is what is required.

 

Although it does always amaze me that left-footed people are often far more useless with their right foot than the other way around.