Skill Moves of the Week
Welcome to our second weekly discussion where we will continue highlighting different skill moves for players to work on, complete with explanations and instructional videos!
When to perform skill moves?
Skill moves are a fundamental part of any soccer player’s game and it is important that every player knows when to perform their skills for the highest chance of success in 1v1 situations. Players should look to execute their 1v1 moves against opposing defenders when they need to create space, get past an opponent or multiple opponents, score for their team, or otherwise, are looking to advance the ball or keep possession for their team. Oftentimes, multiple skill moves can be combined to form a combination of moves that can further assist a player in increasing their success in 1v1 duels. This week we will be focusing on three new moves: the Roll to Chop, the Roulette, and the Cruyff Turn.
The Roll to Chop
This move, also referred to as the Neymar-Chop, is a combination of two different moves in quick succession, the sole roll and the chop back. To perform this skill move, a player first performs a sole roll with the ball across their body before then quickly executing a chop back of the ball with the inside of the opposite foot that pushes the ball behind the original leg before a quick change in speed. The keys to successfully performing this move are maximum control and comfort on the ball while dribbling as well as a sharp change in speed as soon as the chop back is complete, allowing the player to get away from the defender. For a visual aid to master the Roll to Chop technique, please see the video below!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6KFuhF5QYM
The Roulette
The next move this week is extremely popular amongst children of all ages, the Roulette. This eversion and shielding move is a great way to deceive defenders and shift your body momentum from one foot to the other. To start this move, the sole of your foot closest to the ball is placed on top of the ball. Next, you want to roll the ball closer to your other foot while also shifting your body weight and position, protecting the ball at all times. Finally, using the sole of your second foot to receive the short rollover, you pull the ball toward the direction you want to go and speed away. Practice with this move and additional proper shielding of the ball can quickly make this move a go-to for any player to get out of a tight scenario or to confront multiple defenders. For a visual demonstration of this move, click on the link below!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqZfsuMw9r0
The Cruyff Turn
The last skill move we will focus on is the Cruyff Turn, named after the great Ajax and Barcelona player Johan Cruyff. This move is simple for all to perform but when performed sharply and discretely, it can be deadly. You will use just the instep of your dribbling foot to sharply cut the ball across your opposite leg after a quick shot fake or shooting motion. Again, the simplicity of this move shouldn’t discourage any player as it can be used in all game and training scenarios to quickly change direction. Players who are aware of the space around them, particularly when there is space behind them, will find constant success with this move when paired with the right timing. As with most other skills moves, the player’s ability to nonchalantly and discreetly perform this skill and shift the ball quickly from left to right or vice versa and unbalance the defender is key. For a visual demonstration and practice, please click the link below!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRSUw7mgqAY
Conclusion
There is a common saying in the soccer world that players do not want to be a “one-trick pony,” essentially a player who’s easy to predict and only has one or two tricks up their sleeve to get them out of trouble. Unpredictability and the creative X factor are two traits that cannot be taught in soccer so the more one is able to understand and practice their own favorite skills moves, the greater success and enjoyment players will have in 1v1 duels. Now that you know at least a few more skills moves, practice them until you can perform each with either foot comfortably. The only way to get better at skill moves and to improve ball control is a lot of repetition and building muscle memory with both feet. Let us know your favorite skill moves and which skillful players of the game have inspired you!