Left footed penalty takers (1 Viewer)

Zé Tahir

JhoolayLaaaal!
Moderator
Dec 10, 2004
29,281
#1
So I am watching this footy show and they mention that left-footed penalty takers have problems scoring and there should be some sort of statistics made on it.

Is this a myth?

Rivaldo, Maradona, Stoickov, Hagi...were all good left footed pk takers that I can think of off the top of my head.
 

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Red

-------
Moderator
Nov 26, 2006
47,024
#3
Sounds like bollocks to me.

1990 WC was a bad one for left footers because Stuart 'Psycho' Pearce missed one as well. :D
 

Cuti

The Real MC
Jul 30, 2006
13,517
#4
Fabio Grosso, Malouda, Abidal all left footers that scored in the World Cup final.

In the 3rd 4th place play off there was a penalty shoot out and 5 out of 9 were left foot, all scored, the ones that missed were both right foot
 

Sadomin

Senior Member
Apr 5, 2005
7,206
#5
There might be something to it.

It is easier for a right footed goalkeeper to throw himself to the left and vice versa. Just as most right footed players shoot to the left and vice versa. Since the majority of goalkeepers (and people generally) are right footed, it means lefties physically have a more difficult time.
 

only-juve

Senior Member
Jan 5, 2008
7,451
#6
I know that this has nothing to do with the topic, but it seems to me that left footed players r more talented than right footed ones.....Also their shots r more precise. I don't know if u guys think the same?
 

Sadomin

Senior Member
Apr 5, 2005
7,206
#7
I know that this has nothing to do with the topic, but it seems to me that left footed players r more talented than right footed ones.....Also their shots r more precise. I don't know if u guys think the same?
Every team likes to have a left footed set piece taker and a right footed one. If you have 2 lefties and 9 righties on the pitch, then there's a 50% chance that the lefties have a great shot, and an 11% chance a rightie does. Very simplified example, but you get the point. There's no real reason to have all your team be set piece specialists.
 

Mark

The Informer
Administrator
Dec 19, 2003
95,993
#9
There's less left footers in the game and it's easier to recall who missed pk's. Vieri and Liverani come to mind right away.
 
OP
Zé Tahir

Zé Tahir

JhoolayLaaaal!
Moderator
Dec 10, 2004
29,281
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread Starter #10
    There might be something to it.

    It is easier for a right footed goalkeeper to throw himself to the left and vice versa. Just as most right footed players shoot to the left and vice versa. Since the majority of goalkeepers (and people generally) are right footed, it means lefties physically have a more difficult time.
    Makes sense. That could be a possibility.
     

    Joaco

    the cronopio
    Dec 11, 2005
    5,213
    #11
    Well Maradona did miss his penalty at Italia 1990.Not that it proves anything,but still:D

    Im sure is just a myth.
    Maradona missed 3 or 5 consecutive penalties at Boca, and he apologized for that. I will never forget that day.

    For me is just a myth too.

    e: I just remember that Martin Palermo missed three penalties in the same match. It was at Copa America I think against Colombia. And, yeah, he is left footed. It's a Guiness Record, btw :D
     

    Omair

    Herticity
    Sep 27, 2006
    3,254
    #14
    Maradona missed 3 or 5 consecutive penalties at Boca, and he apologized for that. I will never forget that day.

    For me is just a myth too.

    e: I just remember that Martin Palermo missed three penalties in the same match. It was at Copa America I think against Colombia. And, yeah, he is left footed. It's a Guiness Record, btw :D
    didn't fatty boy Ronaldo also miss three penalties in one of Brazil's qualifier matches to WC '06 ?
     

    Joaco

    the cronopio
    Dec 11, 2005
    5,213
    #15
    I remember Ronaldo scoring three penalties in the same match agaisnt Argentina in the qualifier, but not missing them. I'll check anyway ;)
     

    Bjerknes

    "Top Economist"
    Mar 16, 2004
    111,463
    #17
    I think this topic is total nonsense in my opinion. There is nothing that proves one foot is better.

    Although I actually wish I was left-footed because that's more of a weapon on free-kicks since it's somewhat rare in football.
     
    Apr 12, 2004
    77,165
    #18
    Well, it is a total weapon all over the place.

    One-in-nine is born leftie, this making it a total advantage.

    But I think, within experience and understanding, that lefties tend to have a worse right foot than righties have lefts.
     

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