Footedness in fitness and technical skills in young soccer players

Abstract

Purpose. the aim of the study was to identify differences in fitness abilities and technical skills between young right-footed and left-footed soccer players. Methods. the measurements included data collected from 111 male footballers aged 12-17 years (divided into 3 age categories: U13, U15, U17). Fitness abilities (5-m, 10-m, 30-m sprint, envelope run, standing long jump) and technical skill (dribbling, juggling, short passes, long passes) were measured. Results. the results failed to show significant differences (p > 0.05) in speed, agility, or explosive strength of lower limbs between right-and left-footed soccer players in the U13, U15, and U17 categories. No significant differences between soccer players (right-footed, left-footed) were found in the dominant leg performance (p > 0.005), whereas for the non-dominant leg, left-footed U15 players had higher performance in juggling (p < 0.05) and long passes (p < 0.01). regardless of age category, left-footed players were characterized by a lower range of asymmetry in all technical skills. significant differences were observed only for dribbling skills in U13 (p < 0.05). Conclusions. the type of lateral dominance (right-footedness, left-footedness) does not differentiate between young soccer players in terms of fitness abilities. Left-footed footballers are more symmetrical in technical preparation compared with the right-footed ones. With age and experience in training, a reduction in functional asymmetry in technical skills is observed between lower limbs in both right-and left-footed soccer players. regardless of the type of lateral dominance, young players have their reserves in terms of symmetrical technical preparation.

The effect of football basic technical training using unilateral leg on bilateral leg transfer in male children

“…Using the dominant and nondominant (recessive) feet has important advantages for the players while playing football. Therefore, the importance of bilateral and unilateral skill trainings for lower extremities in football has increased, and players' using both of their feet well has become necessary for them [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] .…”