Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Training / Qualification; Situational Awareness
Ground Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control; Ground Excursion Runway
Flight Crew Regained Aircraft Control
Human Factors
Upon touchdown for an intended touch and go; my student (who holds a student pilot certificate) unintentionally pressed the left brake and caused an abrupt left turn. The safest course of action was to continue straight ahead which caused the aircraft to depart the runway onto the grass. I brought the aircraft to a safe stop and then taxied onto the nearest taxiway and continued via Tower instructions to parking. No damage to the aircraft or airport property was noted; nor was there injury to my student or myself.
C172 instructor pilot reported a runway excursion after the student pilot inadvertently applied the left brake during landing.