The Coaches' Room
7v7U11Parents

Left-footed player gets put on the left every week

Asked by Andy_44
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My son is left-footed and almost every coach immediately places him on the left side. He is comfortable there, but I wonder if the label is narrowing what he learns. At U11, would you deliberately give a left-footed player central and right-sided experiences as well?

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UEFA C Coach

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Yes, I would deliberately give him other experiences. Being left-footed is useful, but it should not become his position. Central roles will give him different pressure and scanning pictures. Playing on the right can encourage receiving inside, combining on a different angle and using the outside of the foot. He does not need equal minutes everywhere. By U11 it is reasonable for players to have areas they know well, but I would still avoid one physical trait deciding their football education. I would explain why you are moving him so it does not feel like being played out of position for no reason. The question is not “where does a left-footer belong?” It is “what experiences will help this player become more adaptable?”

COMMUNITY DISCUSSION

Join the football discussion. 3 replies

G

GreenCap

Coach

I would absolutely use him on the right sometimes. Receiving to come inside on the left foot gives him a completely different picture.
W

WillInMedway

Parent

This happened to my son. Left foot meant left side everywhere. The first coach who used him centrally discovered he actually liked receiving in traffic more than running the line.
S

SideStreet

Parent

It is funny how quickly one trait becomes a position. Same with the tallest child becoming the defender every week.