Dribbling
Dribbling
in street soccer is essential. Due to the space constraint in street soccer, to
get past your opponents, you have to be able to dribble past him. The best
dribblers can move the soccer ball swiftly without looking down, and they have a
few tricks up their sleeves.
Here are some
tips to note when dribbling:
1. The
key to dribbling is to use both feet to kick the ball ever so lightly without
losing control at a comfortable speed for you. You should touch the ball with
the inside of your shoes, for the most part, for better control. As you become
more comfortable with the ball, you’ll pick up speed and become more confident.
Unless you’re gifted, dribbling is a skill that takes time.
2. The most common mistake constantly
looking down at the ball and not knowing which direction you are dribbling the
ball. Keeping your head up when you dribble is really important. If you don’t,
you will almost surely lose the ball. You won’t know where you are on the court,
and your dribbling in turn affects the team negatively and people will label you
“selfish”.
Dribbling is something very free.
There is no hard and fast rule in dribbling. As long as you beat your man and do
not lose the ball, you are doing the right thing. For example, Arjen Robben of
Bayern Munich uses his pace, acceleration and technical ablity to get past
players. On the other hand, players such as Neymar Jr. of Barcelona and
professional futsal player Falcao, have many tricks up his sleeve, such as
nutmegging opponents. Each and every one of us has different preferences, as to
how you want to dribble. These tricks are easier learnt through watching videos
rather than following rigid steps. Below are some tricks which might come in
handy in street soccer.
1. Scissors move
– This move is designed to fake your defender out, because your multiple
stopovers will confuse him, making him unsure which way you are going. This is
Cristiano Ronaldo’s signature move.
Advice
1) This is a useful trick to beat your man, but do not do it too many times, as you may get confused yourself. Doing it too many times will also cause you to lose speed and balance when performing the trick.
2) Remember. use your momentum to guide you through this trick. Move your body from side to side to balance yourself. You do not want to fall when performing this trick.
3) Keep an eye on the defender. This will give you an idea of where he is going, and allow you to go the other way.
Dribbling
in street soccer is essential. Due to the space constraint in street soccer, to
get past your opponents, you have to be able to dribble past him. The best
dribblers can move the soccer ball swiftly without looking down, and they have a
few tricks up their sleeves.
Here are some
tips to note when dribbling:
1. The
key to dribbling is to use both feet to kick the ball ever so lightly without
losing control at a comfortable speed for you. You should touch the ball with
the inside of your shoes, for the most part, for better control. As you become
more comfortable with the ball, you’ll pick up speed and become more confident.
Unless you’re gifted, dribbling is a skill that takes time.
2. The most common mistake constantly
looking down at the ball and not knowing which direction you are dribbling the
ball. Keeping your head up when you dribble is really important. If you don’t,
you will almost surely lose the ball. You won’t know where you are on the court,
and your dribbling in turn affects the team negatively and people will label you
“selfish”.
Dribbling is something very free.
There is no hard and fast rule in dribbling. As long as you beat your man and do
not lose the ball, you are doing the right thing. For example, Arjen Robben of
Bayern Munich uses his pace, acceleration and technical ablity to get past
players. On the other hand, players such as Neymar Jr. of Barcelona and
professional futsal player Falcao, have many tricks up his sleeve, such as
nutmegging opponents. Each and every one of us has different preferences, as to
how you want to dribble. These tricks are easier learnt through watching videos
rather than following rigid steps. Below are some tricks which might come in
handy in street soccer.
1. Scissors move
– This move is designed to fake your defender out, because your multiple
stopovers will confuse him, making him unsure which way you are going. This is
Cristiano Ronaldo’s signature move.
Advice
1) This is a useful trick to beat your man, but do not do it too many times, as you may get confused yourself. Doing it too many times will also cause you to lose speed and balance when performing the trick.
2) Remember. use your momentum to guide you through this trick. Move your body from side to side to balance yourself. You do not want to fall when performing this trick.
3) Keep an eye on the defender. This will give you an idea of where he is going, and allow you to go the other way.
2. Behind the back cut – This move is basically running at a fast pace and
changing direction by using your foot to chop the ball behind your other foot.
This move is designed to keep your momentum and leave your opponent behind. This
is another popular move that Ronaldo uses.
Advice
1) The street soccer court is pretty small. In order to use this trick, one must accelerate over a short distance, then immediately chop the ball, and shoot or pass. Running 10 m is quite impractical as by the time you run 10 m, you will most probably reach the wall.
2) Ensure that the player is in front or running with you. If he is behind you, chopping the ball may result in him intercepting your ball.
3) If you are surrounded or double teamed, use this trick depending on the situation. Most of the time, this trick is only effective in taking out 1 defender, but there are cases where the player chops the ball in between 2 defenders.
3. Nutmeg – This trick is pulling the ball back with your right foot toward
your left foot and using your left foot kick it through your opponent's legs (it
actually can also be any movement resulting in the ball going between your
opponent’s legs) This trick varies in many ways, but the trick is to use your
momentum and the defenders’ movement to achieve the trick. This trick is
famously mastered by luis Suarez.
Advice
1) This trick is all about momentum. Do not make it look predictable. Execute it when the defender least expects it.
2) This trick may not be successful all the time. However, do not give up. Keep trying until this trick becomes some sort of instinct, where the trick is executed without thinking twice.
your left foot and using your left foot kick it through your opponent's legs (it
actually can also be any movement resulting in the ball going between your
opponent’s legs) This trick varies in many ways, but the trick is to use your
momentum and the defenders’ movement to achieve the trick. This trick is
famously mastered by luis Suarez.
Advice
1) This trick is all about momentum. Do not make it look predictable. Execute it when the defender least expects it.
2) This trick may not be successful all the time. However, do not give up. Keep trying until this trick becomes some sort of instinct, where the trick is executed without thinking twice.
4. Rainbow flick– This move is not very practical in street soccer, but
still possible to use. The rainbow is a move that allows you to flick the ball
into the air above your opponent while running. This trick was recently performed
by Brazilian star Neymar.
Advice
1) The perfect combo is performing a rainbow to beat your man, then follow it up with a thumping volley. However, so far in HCI, it hasn't been achieved. Practice more, and unlock the achievement.
2)It is dangerous to perform this trick, as if the ball is not lifted over you and remains behind your back, the opponent can pounce on that chance to score.
still possible to use. The rainbow is a move that allows you to flick the ball
into the air above your opponent while running. This trick was recently performed
by Brazilian star Neymar.
Advice
1) The perfect combo is performing a rainbow to beat your man, then follow it up with a thumping volley. However, so far in HCI, it hasn't been achieved. Practice more, and unlock the achievement.
2)It is dangerous to perform this trick, as if the ball is not lifted over you and remains behind your back, the opponent can pounce on that chance to score.
5. Elastico – Another popular move is the elastico. It is a difficult
skill to master. Elastico is a trick whereby you make two quick touches in a
row, misleading your opponent because he expected you to go the other side.
Advice
1) Try practicing this trick on your own first. You will need the ability to master the 2 touches, before you can execute it in a game. Failure to do so may result in you giving the ball away while attempting the first touch.
2) Unless the trick is extremely familiar to you, try not to attempt the trick when dribbling at a fast pace. The second touch tends to be heavy, and the the ball would be lost.
3) This trick must be performed quickly. Doing it in slow motion is ineffective.
skill to master. Elastico is a trick whereby you make two quick touches in a
row, misleading your opponent because he expected you to go the other side.
Advice
1) Try practicing this trick on your own first. You will need the ability to master the 2 touches, before you can execute it in a game. Failure to do so may result in you giving the ball away while attempting the first touch.
2) Unless the trick is extremely familiar to you, try not to attempt the trick when dribbling at a fast pace. The second touch tends to be heavy, and the the ball would be lost.
3) This trick must be performed quickly. Doing it in slow motion is ineffective.
6. Popcorn flick – This involves using downward force from a player’s foot
to lift the stationary ball up into the air. This can be used as a preparatory
step for a volley.
Advice
1) This is one of the hardest tricks to perform as the trick is very unfamiliar. You would need lots of practice just to perfect the technique, and more practice to execute it.
2) This trick is not useful if you do not follow it up with a touch and go, or a volley. After performing it, catch your opponent off guard (in awe of you), and compliment the move with a goal.
to lift the stationary ball up into the air. This can be used as a preparatory
step for a volley.
Advice
1) This is one of the hardest tricks to perform as the trick is very unfamiliar. You would need lots of practice just to perfect the technique, and more practice to execute it.
2) This trick is not useful if you do not follow it up with a touch and go, or a volley. After performing it, catch your opponent off guard (in awe of you), and compliment the move with a goal.
7. Rabona – This is where the ball is kicked where the kicking foot is
positioned behind and around the grounded foot. Recently in the premier
league, Luis Suarez and Eden Hazard all showcased their rabona. Neymar,
king of tricks, managed to use it to get past his man, and cause the tackler to
get a red card.
1) Please keep your balance and time the rabona perfectly. Contact is very important. A mis kick is extremely embarrassing and may result in you falling.
2) If you are not a master in this, try to hit the ball softly first. One common mistake is trying to hit the ball hard. In the end, the rabona fails.
3) The rabona is a unique trick as you can use it to pass, shoot or cross, although crossing is rather rare in street soccer.
positioned behind and around the grounded foot. Recently in the premier
league, Luis Suarez and Eden Hazard all showcased their rabona. Neymar,
king of tricks, managed to use it to get past his man, and cause the tackler to
get a red card.
1) Please keep your balance and time the rabona perfectly. Contact is very important. A mis kick is extremely embarrassing and may result in you falling.
2) If you are not a master in this, try to hit the ball softly first. One common mistake is trying to hit the ball hard. In the end, the rabona fails.
3) The rabona is a unique trick as you can use it to pass, shoot or cross, although crossing is rather rare in street soccer.
8. Hocus pocus – This trick is similar to the elastico,
but performed in reverse. It is performed behind your
leg instead of in front.
Advice
1) Ensure that there is enough space between you and the defender when performing the second touch. As you are kicking the ball behind your leg, extra space is needed.
2) The second touch must be perfect. If it is too heavy, you risk losing the ball, if it is too light, you risk being tackled.
but performed in reverse. It is performed behind your
leg instead of in front.
Advice
1) Ensure that there is enough space between you and the defender when performing the second touch. As you are kicking the ball behind your leg, extra space is needed.
2) The second touch must be perfect. If it is too heavy, you risk losing the ball, if it is too light, you risk being tackled.
9. Rainbow swirl - This is where the player flicks the ball over his head by making the ball stick
to his foot. This trick is similar to the rainbow flick.
1) This trick must be executed in one smooth motion, to gain enough momentum to lift the ball over your head.
2) Like the rainbow flick, the perfect combo is to follow up the swirl with a volley. Another achievement yet to be unlocked.
10. Nutmeg panna – This trick is one version of the nutmeg. It involves scooping the ball in between your opponents’
feet. To perfect this trick, you should be on the flanks, and use your body to shield him. This is another trick mastered by Luis Suarez.
In street soccer, this is the perfect trick to use to beat the whole line of defense and set you up for a shooting position.
1) This trick is all about momentum. Try to block the ball with your body from your marker, and turn to one side, at the same time executing this trick. The marker would be caught unaware in this way.
2) As this trick is all about putting the ball between the opponents leg, success rate is not high. Never attempt this in your own half of the street soccer court.
11. Drag back fake and exit left/right – This trick is bringing the ball back
on one of your feet by rolling it, roll it forward, and then roll it backward
and exit either to your left or right.
Advice
1) This trick can be mastered easily with ample practice, with high success rates. Use it to create space for a pass. It is not a trick to beat your man. It is for playmakers who try to pick the killer pass.
2) When pressured, this trick should be performed instinctively. Thinking how to perform the trick and where to perform it are signs of lack of practice.
12. Roulette – this trick is used when running towards your opponent or when
the ball is stuck in between two opponents. The trick is to put your stronger
foot on the ball, use your body to shield your opponent, and then turn to the
side of your stronger foot. (e.g. right legged player goes to the right)
Advice
1) This trick is most commonly used when you take a heavy touch and is about to lose the ball to your marker. It happens in one quick motion, leaving your opponent awestruck and stunned.
2) Do not trip on the ball. Many a time, the player and the ball is moving at a very high speed. The player tends to trip over himself or his leg, falling down. If this happens and you are injured, look up our injury treatment page!
13. Fake (lunge) – This trick might seem easy and not as fanciful as others.
It is just lunging with your left or right leg as if you are going
that way then comes back to your original position. However, it is a very useful
trick as it tricks your opponent with your body movement.
1) You can perform this trick when you are on a one on one situation with the last man. The second touch should set you up in a shooting position. It should not be too light as the marker can recover and block your shot. It should not be too heavy as when the ball hits the wall, it is hard to take a shot.
2) This is probably the most effective trick in beating one man or even a few. Perform this trick at a stunning speed, just like Messi.