Left footers

[smoovy]

Something just occurred to me that once Goodwin goes, I think the only left footer I can think of that would be left on the list is Knights.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong especially with some of the younger 1st year players.

Are we missing anything by not having many left footers? Or really doesn't it matter.

 

[Bockchoy67]

Sam Shaw is also a left footer.

I'm a fan of them because they're just naturally longer and flatter kicks, plus the ability to turn the other way and catch opponents off-guard can help. The only real issue with left footers is that very few have a right foot because it's just not natural for them. But I don't think it's an outright requirement.

 

[spexau]

Walker is basically a left footer

 

[fatbarber]

Walker is basically a left footer

But Walker is a god! So it doesn't count

 

[ruscy002]

Interesting...

I know that Hawthorn have stated that their recruitment policy was that if they had two potential draftees in mind and couldn't choose between them then they'd always pick a left footer because they have a better overall disposal efficiency. I can't really see whether or not this is a successful strategy, but the one thing that I would say is that generally speaking, lefties are inherently worse on the opposite foot than the right footers.

I can't see this as being an issue, but a very good observation nonetheless.

 

[iamjason]

Statistically left footers are better kicks than right footers, but it's by a marginal amount. However, left footers are also less likely to be ambidextrous (as poster above mentioned), and that's really the important thing these days.

Why aren't more footballers ambidextrous? It always baffles me. It's not that hard to learn to kick with both feet, especially, you would think, if you're a professional althete with a wealth of time and resources at your disposal.

 

[smoovy]

I think a left footer who plays mid-forward who can bang goals from outside 50 is handy. Lucky we do have that man.

Does Shaw have a decent leg on him?

The thing also about having a left footer across half back like Goodwin is that it opens up the other wing. If you look at Goodwin's runs they are almost always down the favoured wing of the left footer.

 

[thebirdman 24]

I've always said we needed to get some more into the squad, its makes us less predictable, and harder to shutdown the player with the ball. Plus it makes attacking down the wing a lot easier. My obsession with left footers wanted us to get Bartlett.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Why aren't more footballers ambidextrous? It always baffles me. It's not that hard to learn to kick with both feet, especially, you would think, if you're a professional althete with a wealth of time and resources at your disposal.

I think it is as simple as the fact that footballers don't play a really high level of football where they need to be able to kick with both feet until their mid-teens. In junior footy and school footy you can get away with being one-sided if you are a good player.

So by the time it becomes important to be two-sided it is too late to learn.

Unless it is drummed into you from 5 years of age by a parent/junior coach you won't be proficient on your non-preferred.

 

[smoovy]

Who in our side is decent on their left (of the right footers)? This is who I can think of.

Good

Walker
McLeod
Armstrong
Vince

Ok

Thompson
Stevens (yes Stevens)
Porplyzia

The rest I can't think of them doing anymore than a short chip kick.