![[Showtime] Soccer skills that make you want to try them! [Techniques]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/J8HdCBddi54/maxresdefault.webp)
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!
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[Showcase] Soccer Skills That Make You Want to Try Them [Techniques] (1–10)
knuckleball shot
One type of shooting technique is the knuckle shot (no-spin shot)! The great thing about a no-spin shot is that the ball wobbles as it drops, making it hard for the keeper to catch—just like a knuckleball in baseball.
As for how to strike it, the key, as the name suggests, is to put no spin on the ball.
That means contacting the exact center of the ball at the moment of the kick.
If you connect at an angle, you’ll impart spin in that direction.
Also, if your ankle moves at impact, that will add spin as well, so make sure to lock your ankle firmly.
Double touch
Try a quick-feint double touch! Pass the ball from inside to inside with your feet while moving your body in the same direction.
It’s a simple technique often taught to beginners in soccer classes, but that’s exactly why it has real depth.
The quality of the technique varies depending on how fast you can execute it and how well you control the ball.
You’ll also need core training to keep your body from flailing when you move.
Make sure to master this as a fundamental skill!
Falkan Feint
The Falcão feint captivates viewers with its unexpected movement.
It’s named after Brazilian futsal player Alessandro Rosa Vieira, who was famous for it and is known by the nickname “Falcão.” Among feints, it’s considered quite complex and demands both delicate control and decisive motion.
Many great players, including Cristiano Ronaldo, have used this move, so studying each of their executions can be helpful.
Scissors
The scissors is a dribbling move in soccer that confuses opponents.
For players who want to refine their footwork on the ball, this technique is extremely valuable.
While dribbling, you add a feint by tracing your foot around the ball.
By learning the basics of the movement thoroughly and then practicing at higher speeds, it becomes easier to use in actual play.
With repeated practice, you’ll feel your skills improve rapidly.
And that, in turn, leads to trusting yourself and playing proactively during matches.
Scorpion
The move that makes spectators gasp is the Scorpion.
It’s also known as the back hammer kick.
This technique was born during the 1995 match between Colombia and England.
It’s said to have started when Colombia’s goalkeeper René Higuita leapt into the air, arched his back, and kicked the ball with his trailing foot.
Today there are various versions, including sliding styles, so why not try starting with the one that feels easiest for you?
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.
headstall
Soccer techniques are wide-ranging, but the unique appeal of the “head stall” makes it an essential skill every player should know.
It’s a juggling move where you bend your knees, keep your back straight, and, as the ball drops, bend your knees and use your forehead or temples to stop the ball’s movement.
It may seem like a trick, but learning to use your body softly to control the ball is useful practice for trapping.
overhead
How about trying a flashy shooting technique: the overhead kick? With your back to the goal, you strike a ball in the air using a motion like a backflip.
If you pull it off, you’re guaranteed to be a hero.
Of course, it’s a difficult move since you have to hit a fast-approaching ball right on the sweet spot.
You might think, “Is it really something to attempt during a match?” But consider this: when you position yourself in front of the goal, you often end up with a defender tight on you and your back to the goal.
Using it at that moment can actually make a lot of sense.
Give it a try in practice—just be careful to avoid injuries!
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.
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!