Football (or soccer, depending on where you’re from) is a sport that blends athleticism, strategy, and flair. One of the most exciting and entertaining aspects of the game is the array of tricks and skills that players use to outmaneuver their opponents. Football tricks, often seen performed by stars like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, and Ronaldinho, are not just for show; they serve the tactical purpose of maintaining possession, creating space, and breaking through defensive lines. Learning and mastering these tricks can elevate your game and give you an edge on the pitch.
In this article, we’ll cover various football tricks and techniques, ranging from simple moves for beginners to advanced skills for more experienced players. Whether you are looking to improve your control, outwit defenders, or add flair to your play, this guide will help you learn how to execute football tricks effectively.
See Also: How to Kick a Football Powerfully?
The Importance of Football Tricks
Before diving into the specifics of how to do football tricks, it’s important to understand why they are essential for any player. Football tricks improve various aspects of your overall game:
Ball Control: Tricks often involve fine-tuning your control over the ball, which is crucial for maintaining possession in tight spaces.
Confidence: Knowing how to pull off different tricks boosts your confidence, allowing you to take on defenders without hesitation.
Deception: Tricks help deceive defenders, giving you a better chance of dribbling past them or creating space for a pass or shot.
Entertainment: Performing tricks adds entertainment value to your game and can inspire teammates and fans alike.
Now, let’s break down the most common and effective football tricks.
Beginner Football Tricks
If you’re just starting out, these basic tricks are a good foundation to build your football skills. They require minimal experience but are highly effective when executed properly.
1. The Step Over
The step over is a classic move that helps you fake out defenders by making them believe you’re going one way while you go in the opposite direction. This trick is simple yet highly effective when executed at the right moment.
Step 1: Dribble the ball slowly toward the defender.
Step 2: Move one foot around the ball in a circular motion, as if you’re about to kick it.
Step 3: As you complete the step over motion, use your other foot to push the ball in the opposite direction of the defender.
Step 4: Accelerate away from the defender once they commit to the fake.
The step over is ideal for wingers or attacking players who need to create space or beat their man in 1v1 situations.
2. The Cruyff Turn
Named after the Dutch football legend Johan Cruyff, the Cruyff turn is a trick used to change direction quickly and leave your opponent behind. It’s particularly useful when you’re near the sideline or under pressure from a defender.
Step 1: Dribble towards your opponent, making them believe you’re about to pass or shoot.
Step 2: Plant your standing foot next to the ball.
Step 3: Instead of passing or shooting, use the inside of your other foot to drag the ball behind you.
Step 4: Pivot and turn your body 180 degrees as you drag the ball, leaving the defender off balance.
The Cruyff turn is a simple yet highly effective move for beginners, as it keeps the ball close to your body and doesn’t require much space.
3. The Body Feint
The body feint is another classic move that involves faking one way and then quickly shifting your weight to move in the opposite direction. This trick works best in one-on-one situations.
Step 1: Dribble toward the defender.
Step 2: Drop one shoulder and shift your weight to one side, as if you’re about to move in that direction.
Step 3: Quickly push the ball in the opposite direction with the outside of your foot and accelerate past the defender.
The body feint is an excellent move for fooling defenders and can be performed with minimal risk of losing possession.
Intermediate Football Tricks
Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can move on to intermediate tricks. These moves require better ball control and a bit more practice but can add another level of sophistication to your game.
1. The Rainbow Flick
The rainbow flick is one of the flashiest tricks in football and involves flicking the ball over your opponent’s head. While it looks impressive, it’s also an effective way to get out of tight situations or beat a defender.
Step 1: Place the ball between your legs with your dominant foot behind the ball.
Step 2: Use your non-dominant foot to roll the ball up your dominant leg.
Step 3: As the ball rolls up, use the back of your dominant foot to flick the ball over your head.
Step 4: Sprint past the defender as the ball drops down on the other side.
This move requires good timing and precision but is extremely satisfying to pull off when done correctly.
2. The Elastico (Flip Flap)
Made famous by Ronaldinho, the elastico (or flip-flap) is a fast-paced dribbling move that involves shifting the ball quickly from one side of your foot to the other. It’s an excellent way to wrong-foot defenders and gain a burst of speed.
Step 1: Dribble toward the defender with the ball close to your feet.
Step 2: Use the outside of your foot to push the ball in one direction.
Step 3: In a quick motion, use the inside of the same foot to pull the ball back in the opposite direction.
Step 4: Accelerate away from the defender as they are caught off guard by the quick movement.
The elastico requires fast footwork and close control of the ball, making it a bit more challenging but highly effective.
3. The Roulette (Marseille Turn)
The roulette, also known as the Marseille turn, is a 360-degree spin move that helps you escape tight spaces and glide past defenders. It’s a favorite of players like Zinedine Zidane.
Step 1: Approach the defender while dribbling the ball.
Step 2: Use the sole of one foot to drag the ball back as you begin to spin.
Step 3: As you complete the spin, use the sole of your other foot to drag the ball further and accelerate away from the defender.
The roulette is a visually impressive move and works well in crowded areas of the pitch where you need to maintain possession.
Advanced Football Tricks
For more experienced players looking to elevate their game, advanced tricks require precise timing, skill, and creativity. These moves are often seen at the highest levels of the game.
1. The Sombrero Flick
The sombrero flick is a skillful move where you flick the ball over an approaching defender, leaving them out of position as you collect the ball on the other side.
Step 1: Wait until the defender is closing in on you.
Step 2: As they approach, use the toe of your foot to flick the ball up and over their head.
Step 3: Run past the defender and regain control of the ball on the other side.
This move is both a crowd-pleaser and an effective way to evade tackles, but it requires excellent ball control and confidence.
2. The Rabona
The rabona is a stylish way to pass or shoot the ball by crossing one leg behind the other and striking the ball. This trick is often used when the ball is positioned awkwardly for your dominant foot.
Step 1: Approach the ball at a slight angle.
Step 2: Swing your dominant foot behind your standing leg.
Step 3: Strike the ball with the inside of your dominant foot, sending it in the desired direction.
The rabona is an advanced move that takes time to master, but once you do, it can be a powerful weapon in your arsenal.
3. The Hocus Pocus
The hocus pocus is an intricate dribbling move similar to the elastico but with an added twist. This move is perfect for deceiving defenders and creating space.
Step 1: Start with the ball at your feet.
Step 2: Use the inside of your foot to roll the ball forward.
Step 3: In one swift motion, use the outside of the same foot to drag the ball in the opposite direction.
Step 4: Accelerate past the defender as they get caught off guard by the misdirection.
This trick is advanced and requires exceptional coordination and speed, but it can leave defenders standing still.
Training Tips for Mastering Football Tricks
While learning these tricks is exciting, mastering them takes time and dedication. Here are some training tips to help you improve your football tricks and implement them in real-game situations:
1. Start Slow
When learning a new trick, start by practicing at a slow pace to focus on technique. Once you’ve mastered the movement, gradually increase the speed until you can perform the trick at full game speed.
2. Practice with Both Feet
To become a more versatile player, practice your tricks with both your dominant and non-dominant foot. Being able to execute moves on either side of your body will make you more unpredictable and harder to defend.
3. Incorporate Tricks into Game Situations
It’s one thing to practice tricks in isolation, but the real challenge is using them in a game. Try to incorporate tricks into your regular training sessions by simulating game-like scenarios where you need to beat defenders or create space.
4. Focus on Ball Control
Before attempting advanced tricks, make sure your ball control is solid. Mastering basic dribbling skills will give you the foundation you need to execute more complex moves.
5. Watch the Pros
Watching professional players perform tricks can be a great source of inspiration. Pay close attention to how players like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Neymar use tricks in real-game situations to create space and beat defenders.
Conclusion
Football tricks are an exciting and essential part of the game. From simple moves like the step over to advanced techniques like the sombrero flick, there are countless ways to outwit defenders and improve your overall skill on the pitch. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, practicing these tricks will enhance your ball control, boost your confidence, and add flair to your game.
Start with the basics, focus on perfecting your technique, and gradually work your way up to more advanced moves. With dedication and practice, you’ll be able to perform football tricks with ease and confidence in match situations, making you a more effective and entertaining player.
