Skills – Dribbling
The past century in footballing terms was marked by playing greats that stood head and shoulders above the rest in footballing ability and skill – as best demonstrated by an ability to run at high speed with the ball called “dribbling”. Diego Maradona, Ronaldo, Pele, Yohan Cruyff, Zinedine Zidane, Ferenc Puskás, Rivelino, Stanley Matthews, George Best etc all mesmerized defences and spectators alike with their magical “dribbles”.
The Maradona goal in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico against England, where he masterfully dribbled past half the England team before slotting home, stands even today as possibly the greatest goal of all time.
In the past we looked at this art as a God-given right bestowed only upon a select few – we looked on and marveled at the beauty and finesse never contemplating that these skills could be learned – you were simple born with them.
Today, with the aid of coaching techniques and reforms – partly brought about by one Wiel Coerver (coach of Feyenoord in the 1970s who claimed that you could break down great players’ technique and use the knowledge to teach young players ) – we are able to analyze and learn some of the moves that made the above mentioned footballing names so famous. Some moves are even named after the players who executed them so well in the past.
The Zidane spin
When running with the ball towards an opponent, turn to shield the ball with your body as you come face-to-face with the player in a spinning motion with your foot on the ball. Use your other foot to then turn the ball away from your marker leaving them to wonder what happened.
The stepover
Although Cristiano Ronaldo and Robinho lay claim to it today, this move was first made popular by the great Pele. To execute this move, you feign to kick the ball by moving your foot completely over the ball without touching the ball at all, then push the ball in the other direction and skip past your marker.
The Stanley Matthews move
Made famous by the great winger, this move is executed as follows: move towards the defender and push the ball slightly towards his standing foot, then quickly flick it in the opposite direction and use your speed to run past him while he remains back wrong footed.
The nutmeg
The ultimate insult to a defender, the nutmeg involves you passing the ball between a defenders legs and skipping past them before they realize what happened.
The Rivelino Flip-Flap
Actually first made popular by the Brazilian Rivelino in the 1970s, the flip-flap is today frequently used by Ronaldinho on the big stage. The move requires speed and flexibility and is quite hard to perform. To achieve the move when facing your opponent, flick the ball to one side, then cushion the ball while in mid air with the inside of your put and pull it the other way, bamboozling your opponent.
The Cruyff turn
Yohan Cruyff was rightly dubbed the successor to Pele when he played. At his best, he was simply unplayable. This move, which he executed to perfection, leaves your opponent for dead. To execute it, with your side to your opponent fake to hit a cross or pass, then with your heel push the ball behind you, leaving your opponent flat footed and far behind you.
The above mentioned are just a few dribbles that you can practice in your quest to become a better player. Remember, every great footballer spent a lot of time practicing and honing their skill. It takes not only talent but dedication and hard work to become a great player. If you put in the hard work you are well on your to becoming a good soccer player.
