Football is more than just kicking the ball around. It’s a sport that requires technique, timing and style and that’s where football skills come in. These are the special moves players use to get past defensive lines, control the ball and make it fun to watch. Today we are gonna talks about crazy football skills that will help you to understand the process.
Whether it ‘s a quick dribble, a sharp turn or a flashy trick, skills in football can make all the difference on the football field. They help players hold the ball steady, create space and entertain the fans. The top players in the world (Ronaldo, Messi, Neymar, ) are recognised for their skill set as much as their goals.
Football is not just a sport for professionals. Street footballers and weekend players usually love a few trick to impress friends or have a better time. No matter the level, knowing a few good skills boosts your confidence.
Here Are The Best 10 Crazy Football Skills
1. Step Over (Scissors)
The Step Over (also called the Scissors ) is one of the most popular and successful football moves. It is a very simple trick in which the person does one leg swing to mimic a move and then takes the ball the other way to create confusion with the defenders and allows the player to get some space to run or pass.
This move works great if you’re one on one with a defender.
The first player we know to have used the step over is Law Adam ( Dutch forward in the 1930’s ), but it really got popular when Ronaldo Nazário used it repeatedly in the late 90’s.
Today players like Cristiano Ronaldo still use it to get past defenders.
2. Cruyff Turn
The Cruyff Turn is probably one of the most complex and effective skill in football. It ‘s where a player looks like they are about to pass or shoot but immediately starts to spin and drag the ball behind their leg to change direction. Very simple move that can be very effective if you ‘re trying to get away from a defender in tight spaces.
It is actually named after the great Dutch player Johan Cruyff from the 1974 World Cup when he performed it with such skill that his target’s defenders were completely confused by it. The trick now is used by many of the top players in the world today.
3. Elastico (Flip-Flap)
Elastico ( or Flip – Flap ) is one of the more popular football moves. It ‘s a very fast move where a player pushes the ball one way with the outside of the foot and then rips it back the other way in a split second with the inside of the foot.
It does require good footwork and quick movement especially if you ‘re trying to get past a defender one on one. It ‘s usually reserved for wingers or attacking midfielders who enjoy attacking other players.
But who was the first person who learned the art of it? I remember watching Sérgio Echigo, who is a Japanese – Brazilian player. The move became world famous thanks to Ronaldinho, who unleashed his Elastico – something so smooth that all the fans and the defenders were literally speechless! And now Neymar does the skill with style.
4. Rainbow Flick
The Rainbow Flick is one of the most eye-catching football tricks. It is a trick in which the player rolls the ball up the back of one leg using the other foot and then flicks the ball over their head ( and sometimes over a defender ). So it looks like a rainbow and that ‘s why it is named for that.
It is a tricky move to do but when done correctly it looks fantastic. Commonly done when one player wants to beat a defender in style or just showing some street football flair .You will not see it all the time in very important games but when it happens the fans go crazy.
The first known use of the Rainbow Flick is thought to have been by Brazilian footballer Alexandre de Carvalho ” Kaneco ” in the 1960s but notably by Jay-Jay Okocha (whom later became the icon of the move, Neymar) in modern football.
5. Body Feint
The Body Feint is one of footballs oldest & natural football moves. A body feint is when a player fakes going one way with their body then quickly goes the other way with the ball. There ‘s no fancy foot work required just balance and timing and a little acting!
You can get a small dip of the shoulder or a quick lean to one side and get the defender to move and boom, you’re gone the other way. Pretty easy but very effective.
One of the most famous soccer players with it was Diego Maradona. He did a great job at making defenses look silly with a little movement. Now people like Lionel Messi use it to go past defends like it ‘s nothing.
6. Drag Back Turn
The Drag Back Turn is a pretty clever tactic for getting out of a jam. It basically involves the person dragging the ball backward with the sole of their foot and then rapidly turning in the opposite direction to do so. The key in doing this is going in the opposite direction and keeping control of the ball.
This is especially useful in situations where you are being attacked by a defender and in need of speed. The Drag Back Turn will help you evade the defenders attack and regain your footing, keep you momentum going forward.
Zinedine Zidane was renowned for this style of play in his career.
7. Heel Flick
The Heel Flick is a fun and tricky move where you use your heel to flick the ball past a defender. It is essentially using your back foot to push the ball behind you and into space and often gets defenders off guard.
The surprise element of the Heel Flick is what makes it so effective; it ‘s not easily possible to know where the ball will go next for the defender.
The Heel Flick became a thing of fame for players such as Cristiano Ronaldo who uses it to speed past defenders and open up space for himself or his team mates.
8. La Croqueta (Side Dribble)
La Croqueta is a smooth effective dribbling move in which a player moves past a defender in one swift motion through the use of one foot to push across your foot and quickly with the other foot to drag the ball out towards the other end.
It works best in a one on one situation when you need to quickly move the ball from one side to the other. Specially if you’re a winger or an attacking midfielder looking to get past the defense.
La Croqueta sprang from the exploits of Andrés Iniesta and Zinedine Zidane, who used it masterfully in their professional careers.
9. Roulette (Maradona Turn)
The Roulette (also called the Maradona Turn ) is a spectacular spinning move in which the player spins around a full circle while at the same time controlling the ball, by using the sole of his foot to drag the ball around one leg and then swiftly spinning to change direction.
This move is best used in close quarters when you’re trying to pick off multiple players. And it works best if you’re in control of the ball and you are aware of your surroundings.
The Roulette is named after Diego Maradona who was a very famous player who used it in the 1980’s Maradona turn was truly magical and it ‘s still regarded as one of his best moves . Nowadays people like Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Pogba use it.
10. Nutmeg (Panna)
The Nutmeg ( or Panna ) is one of the most satisfying tricks in football. It ‘s when a player passes the ball through an opponent ‘s legs and then picks up the ball on the other side. This happens only when a player has great timing and does it on his own.
The Nutmeg is used often when you’re being closely guarded by a defender and you just need to get the ball past them with a very small gap. It’s a pretty risky play though and can be pretty effective.
players like Pelé and Johan Cruyff have used it in famous moments.
Last Thoughts
Football Skills are the things that make football so exciting and fun. Whether you like the Rainbow Flick or the Cruyff Turn, each skill has it ‘s own beauty and appeal.
Which of these skills is your favourite? Let us know in the comments section below.
