17+ Best Soccer Moves: The Ultimate Guide for Beating Defends

Skills and tricks are the magic of soccer. They make the game exciting, enhance players’ abilities, and keep fans on the edge of their seats. In this post, we’ll dive into various soccer tricks, from basic to advanced, and explain how to master them.

Beginner Soccer Moves

Inside Cut

The inside cut involves cutting the ball inside using the inside of your foot to quickly change direction. This trick is perfect for evading defenders and creating space on the field. It’s often used when a player is being closed down and needs to quickly alter their course to maintain possession or set up a pass.

How to Perform

1. Dribble towards your target.
2. Use the inside of your foot to tap the ball across your body.
3. Accelerate in the new direction.

Outside Cut

The outside cut uses the outside of your foot to cut the ball outside, allowing for a fast shift in direction. This move is ideal for maintaining speed while changing direction, especially when facing a defender one-on-one. It helps in keeping the ball away from the opponent and continuing the attack.

How to Perform

1. Approach your target while dribbling.
2. Tap the ball with the outside of your foot away from your body.
3. Move quickly in the new direction.

Step Over

The step-over is a deceptive move where you fake a direction by stepping over the ball, and then quickly changing direction. This trick confuses defenders, opens up passing lanes, and is effective in one-on-one situations. It’s commonly used to create space for a shot or pass.

How to Perform

1. Dribble forward.
2. Swing your foot over the ball without touching it.
3. Use the opposite foot to push the ball in the new direction.

Intermediate Soccer Moves

Cruyff Turn

Named after Johan Cruyff, the Cruyff turn is a deceptive maneuver to change direction sharply while protecting the ball. It’s perfect for escaping tight situations and surprising your opponent, often used when a player faces pressure and needs to turn quickly to find space.

How to Perform

1. Dribble towards the defender.
2. Fake a pass or shot.
3. Pull the ball behind your standing leg with the inside of your foot.
4. Turn and accelerate away.

Drag Back

The drag back involves quickly pulling the ball back to change direction, ideal for creating space and avoiding tackles. It’s useful in tight spaces where a quick pivot is needed to evade a defender and maintain control of the ball.

How to Perform

1. Place your foot on top of the ball.
2. Drag it backward while pivoting your body.
3. Turn and move in a new direction.

Rainbow Flick

The rainbow flick is an advanced trick where you flick the ball over an opponent’s head. This move is great for surprising defenders and showing flair, often used in playful or less pressured situations to outsmart an opponent.

How to Perform

1. Roll the ball up your leg with your heel.
2. Use the other foot to flick it over the defender.
3. Sprint past and regain control.

Scissors

The scissors move involves moving your foot around the ball to trick the defender into thinking you’re going one way, then going the other. It’s effective for one-on-one situations, helping players to bypass defenders and create scoring opportunities.

How to Perform

1. Dribble towards the defender.
2. Circle your foot around the ball.
3. Push the ball in the opposite direction with the outside of your foot.

The Chop

The chop trick involves chopping the ball behind your leg to change direction quickly. This move is ideal for quick turns and avoiding tackles, often used when approaching a defender to swiftly alter your path and maintain possession.

How to Perform

1. Dribble forward.
2. Use the inside of your foot to chop the ball behind your standing leg.
3. Change direction quickly.

Fake Shot

The fake shot is a deceptive maneuver where you pretend to shoot, only to redirect the ball. This trick deceives both the defender and goalkeeper, creating openings for actual shots or passes. It’s commonly used near the goal to confuse the opposition.

How to Perform

1. Wind up as if to shoot.
2. Instead, tap the ball to the side with the inside of your foot.
3. Follow up with a real shot or pass.

Advanced Soccer Moves

Elastico (Flip Flap)

The elastico, or flip flap, is a rapid change of direction using the inside and outside of your foot. It’s perfect for beating defenders in tight spaces, showing quick footwork and agility to leave opponents flat-footed.

How to Perform

1. Push the ball with the outside of your foot.
2. Quickly flick it back with the inside.
3. Accelerate in the new direction.

Sombrero Flick

The sombrero flick involves flicking the ball over an opponent from behind. This trick is ideal for catching defenders off guard, often used to bypass an opponent who is closely marking you.

How to Perform

1. Position yourself close to the defender.
2. Use your heel to flick the ball over their head.
3. Run around and control the ball.

Maradona Turn (Roulette)

The Maradona turn, or roulette is a 360-degree spin to evade an opponent. It’s great for tight spaces and escaping pressure, often used when a player is surrounded by defenders and needs to make a quick getaway.

How to Perform

1. Dribble towards the defender.
2. Use the sole of your foot to drag the ball back.
3. Spin while dragging the ball with the other foot.
4. Continue in the new direction.

Hocus Pocus

The hocus pocus trick involves dragging the ball with one foot while faking with the other. This move confuses defenders and is effective in one-on-one situations, adding a layer of unpredictability to your dribbling.

How to Perform

1. Start by dragging the ball with one foot.
2. Use the other foot to fake a pass or shot.
3. Move in the opposite direction.

Reverse Elastico

The reverse elastico is the opposite motion of the elastico, starting with the inside of the foot. It’s useful for quick directional changes, often catching defenders off guard with its sudden shift.

How to Perform

1. Push the ball with the inside of your foot.
2. Quickly flick it back with the outside.
3. Accelerate in the new direction.

Panna (Nutmeg)

The panna, or nutmeg, involves passing the ball through the opponent’s legs. This trick is perfect for humiliating defenders and gaining ground, often used in street soccer and competitive matches to showcase skill.

How to Perform

1. Dribble towards the defender.
2. Spot a gap between their legs.
3. Push the ball through and run around them.

Tips for Learning Soccer Tricks

• Practice Regularly Consistency is key. The more you practice, the better you’ll get.
• Start Slow Master the basics before moving on to advanced tricks.
• Watch and Learn Study videos of professional players to see how they execute tricks.
• Use Both Feet Develop ambidexterity to become more versatile.
• Stay Confident Confidence is crucial. Believe in your abilities and stay composed under pressure.

Conclusion

We’ve covered a range of soccer tricks, from basic to advanced. Practice these tricks to enhance your game and impress on the field. Share your favorite tricks or experiences in the comments below!