[Showtime] Soccer skills that make you want to try them! [Techniques]
Many people look forward to the FIFA World Cup held every four years! In recent years, Japan’s national team has been performing remarkably, and people who used to just watch might be thinking, “Maybe I should try playing soccer myself.” There are also many who practice every day as part of a school club or by joining a local club team.
This article compiles soccer moves and techniques! We’ve picked out a wide range of skills, from dribbling feints frequently used by overseas players to brilliant shooting tricks.
It covers everything from flashy, show-stopping plays to practical skills, so if you’re looking to expand what you can do, be sure to check it out!
- Horizontal bar skills: Moves you’ll want to try at least once! A roundup of popular techniques.
- Fun Ball Sports: A Roundup of Ball-Based Play, Games, and Sports
- [Rec] Challenge! A roundup of kendama tricks
- [Path to Improvement] Techniques That Make You Want to Play! A Summary of Table Tennis Skills [Techniques]
- Their play and way of life captivate the world! Memorable quotes from soccer players
- Soccer quiz: from the J.League and the World Cup to the history of football
- Skateboard Tricks Overview: From Basic Moves to Signature Tricks
- [Rec] Challenge! A roundup of jump rope tricks and techniques
- [Ground Tricks] Snowboard Tricks Introduction and Tutorial Video Compilation [Snowboarding]
- [For Men] Show It Off! A Collection of Easy, Astonishing Magic Ideas
- [Sports] Play that gets you moving. A roundup of exercises perfect for adults.
- [Latest Technology] Exercise with Augmented Reality! AR Sports Roundup
- [Magic] Crowd-Pleasers for Elementary Schools! A Collection of Magic Trick Ideas Perfect for Fun Parties
[Showcase] Soccer Skills That Make You Want to Try Them [Techniques] (1–10)
Cruyff turn

The Cruyff turn is known as a move to deceive opponents.
It involves touching the ball as if to slip it through your own legs, with the key being that your body orientation and the ball’s movement are in opposite directions.
It makes the opponent think, “Where are you going all of a sudden?” and lets you outwit them.
Captivating for spectators and enjoyable for players themselves, the Cruyff turn is a technique that enhances expressiveness on the pitch.
Mastering this move through consistent practice can help improve your soccer skills.
Akihiro Ienaga, a professional soccer player, has also skillfully used this technique to evade opposing defenders.
Elastico

The elastico, a technique that confuses opponents on the pitch, is one of soccer’s true thrills.
You touch the ball with the foot circling to the outside, then quickly strike it back inside, and finally bring it under control.
This sequence lets you glide past your opponent.
Timing of the touches, the force you apply, and your body movement are all crucial, and finding the right balance is the key to a successful elastico.
Master it through repeated practice and deepen your enjoyment of soccer!
Marseille Roulette

When it comes to enjoying soccer, dribbling skills are the spice for players.
In particular, the Marseille Roulette is a technique that outwits opponents with refined footwork and captivates spectators.
Rotating your body around the pivot foot while controlling the ball with the sole, this move requires precise timing to beat a defender and a knack for shifting your weight.
By keeping an attacking posture while turning your back toward the opponent to protect the ball, the move also contributes to defense.
It heightens the player’s awareness and teaches a deeper joy of soccer.
[Showcase] Must-Try! Collection of Soccer Skills [Techniques] (11–20)
drive shot

Let me introduce the drive shot, a move often featured in anime.
Simply put, it’s a shot where a ball that seemed to be rising suddenly changes its trajectory and dives toward the goal.
Because it comes from a high angle, it’s considered hard for goalkeepers to deal with.
The key to the drive shot is topspin.
It’s quite difficult to execute, but if you master it, it will be useful both for showing off and in actual matches.
Since it needs space to drop, it’s also important to keep enough distance from your target.
Banana shoot

Among soccer techniques, perhaps the most widely known is the banana shot.
It’s famous both because former Japan national team player Shunsuke Nakamura excelled at it and because it appears in the anime Captain Tsubasa.
The essence of the banana shot is that the ball traces a curved arc like a banana.
Competing with friends to see who can bend it at a sharper angle sounds fun, too.
If you start by learning the principle behind how the ball curves, you’ll be able to practice it smoothly.
Around the World

The Around the World is a soccer skill with a uniquely captivating charm.
Once you master it, you can add a touch of flair to your play.
It requires supple ankles and a delicate feel for controlling the ball, which in turn dramatically expands your expressive range.
The quick, rotating motion of the ankle mesmerizes onlookers, and a simple trick—pointing your toes upward—helps the ball spin lightly.
Around the World opens a secret door to taking your first step into skillful freestyle football.
Master it, and you can enrich your self-expression as a player even further.
kick feint

The kick feint is one of the real thrills of soccer.
It’s simple yet effective at wrong-footing defenders, and when you fall for it, it’s genuinely surprising.
The method is easy: pretend you’re going to kick the ball, but don’t.
The closer the moment is to a pass or a shot, the more effective it tends to be.
Master the basics and practice so you can use it in real matches.
It will expand your range of play and make soccer even more fun.
In conclusion
Even if you can perform each technique on its own, I think it’s difficult to suddenly incorporate it into your play during a match.
So it’s best to first compare the techniques listed here with how they’re used in pro match footage.
If you burn those scenes into your mind, there may come a moment when your body moves naturally! Go nail it in style!


