I'm a newbie to playing competitive football (they're really just pick-up games), and I'm somewhat unclear as to what side to play. I'm heavily right-footed (I've yet to develop much of a left foot), so what side should I play? For a point of reference, let's use the opposing team's goal, as if one is attackng up field to score a goal. Should a right-footed player play on the left wing or right wing?
If you were a pro, it would be the right wing (although there are exceptions of course). For pick-up game, it doesn't really matter. Most people you will be playing with will be right-footed, so someone's gotta be on the left side. In general, if you have a choice, stick to the right wing though - unless there is someone better (faster, more accurate on crosses) whose spot you would be taking otherwise.
If you can't kick the ball left footed now matter how much you practice, spend some time practicing kicking the ball with the outside of your right foot.
i'm a righty but i've developed a decent left-footed cross so i usually patrol the left wing - a side benefit is it allows me to cut in along the top of the box and have a nice angle to shoot a curler with the right foot - i would however suggest developing your left no matter where you play - it's wise to have confidence in both feet as you never know what the situation may require
A lot of coaches prefer a left footed player playing on that left side. Not that many left footed players evidently. The Ajax club system have left footed players play the left side or the middle, not the right side. You can play the middle as left footed player. Like a right footed player can play the middle. My own view is you can play anywhere on the field. Because you as a player should attack space. You can find space all over the field. Ever watch preki play from the Wiz? Plays all over the place. He plays a lot on the right side even though he is a left foot player. He does that because he has a heavy footed left shot. He can use that shot more comming from the right side if he attacks moving inside the field, moving to his left. Let's say you not Preke, and find yourself on the wrong side of the field for you. You want to cross the ball with your good foot. Instead of turning to goal where you would have to use your bad foot, turn a way from goal, and keep turning until you can cross with your good foot. Nothing to it. Richie
I left this off but it was implied. Right footed player what to get shots off from the left side of the field dribble the ball inside the field and shot with your good foot the tright foot.
When i played in the field (i too am right footed) I would play center mid. I could shoot better from the left side, but i could only cross from the right side (this was when i was younger and had not yet taken the time to develop my left foot. u-10 rec league or something). Playing center gave me the opportunity to do both... i could run down the right flank and hit a cross or run left and cut the ball back for a shot, center position not confining you to a space, leaving both options available. just thought i'd tell you what i did in your situation.
..i absolutely feel your pain on this subject...i have my kicking foot..and a stump with a cleat on it called my left, but i always always try and play on the left side. as an AMidfielder im really fond of coming down the left wing and then quickly cutting right to get a shot off (ala' del piero). or as has been said, you can develop a good outside right, which as far as crossing goes, is almost better than a left because though it may not travel as far, it catches defenders very much off guard. but if developing any new skill chafes you...if you have a decent pull back its certainly easy enough to cross from the left with your right. as for playing on the right side...one can cross the ball with ease...but all else is for sh!t... i vote left.
I'm definitely right-footed (especially since my left ankle ligaments are virtually nonexistent) but I've always preferred playing on the left to play to my strengths. I like cutting inside on the dribble, and I have an extremely quick cut-back move so I can create space for a right-footed cross or shot. Also, I use the Maradona pretty extensively and I do it a lot better with my left foot than my right foot for some reason.
well im a right-footed player and i played left striker last year when i was living in italy..i played in an italian team for the town i lived in...i was living outside of the navy base there but i was signed up in an under 16 team...i was couldnt shoot that well with my left foot but i found comfortable ways of scoring my goals with my right foot on the left side, it all depends on how good you can react to a pass with your right foot...i do most with it, and im almost always on the left when i score...i cross well to the right aswell, and i jus move to an angle to get in a comfortable position to put the ball in the net
I reckon anyone can develop their left foot to be just as good or nearly as good as their right foot.
...not necessarily anyone. My left foot's a lot worse than it used to be before I broke my left ankle twice.
Clearly on defense a right-footed player is at a disadvantage playing on the left...the (presumably right footed) opponent will often be taking the ball on his strong foot against your weak foot. But if you're playing midfield or attack, experiment. There's more to it than just footedness. Righties-lefties tend to use different sides of their brain, but in my case, I believe I'm a leftie trapped in a righties body (it doesn't help that one of my eyes is much weaker than the other)...and I tend to play better offense on the left both in basketball and soccer. But by all means, work on the left, whatever your sport. Whatever the situation you find yourself in, it expands your options greatly.
Actually, if you're right-footed and you play on the left-wing, it could become an advantage, if you're able to pull a good move to get past th man marking, you, because if you do, you can get 'inside' of him; whereas if you were lefty playig on the left, it's much easier to contain you, since the basics teach us to contain to the outside. So, my suggestion would be, if you can pull a move or something that helps you beat your defender, and you got enough speed to beat him, take the left side, see what you can do?
that's funny - i can only loop the ball over my head from behind with my left foot holding the ball odd note - someone on my club remarked that both me and a russian teammate had an advantage for being comfortable with both feet because we grew up playing ice hockey - not sure if that's the case... but we are both righties playing the left - hmmm