Effective 1v1 moves, open field, medium skill required:

[NOTE: In 3v3 Soccer, your last player (defender) should refrain from risky moves unless they are very practiced. I constantly encourage the forwards to have fun with these fancy moves.]

1) Chipped Shot/Pass. This play is a simple chip, but extremely effective. The real skill and beauty of this move is learning how to chip while running, a much harder task. A hint is to set your plant foot well in front of the rolling ball so that when you execute the chip, the ball is somewhat under your body. While I usually discourage fancy moves from my back player, this move I allow and encourage. This also works as a shot on goal when a defender comes out.

My son showing the chipped shot over a ladder, followed by Pelé and Maradona...



2) Ankle Flick. This play is fun to watch because of the optical illusion it creates. The ball appears to be rolling in one direction and then mysteriously cuts and changes direction without any apparent influence. First, step past the ball, toward the defender. Next, use your ankle to push the ball forward, toward the defender, as if you are going to give him the ball. The defender will close his legs, thinking you will nutmeg him. At the last possible moment, twist your foot around so that the length of your shoe (remember you were using only your ankle at first) strikes the ball; thus flicking the ball in a new direction around the defender.

My son showing the ankle flick, followed by a futsal player using an outside ankle flick...



3) Fake, Brush, Cut. If the player is planning to cut left, the first move is a scissors move with the left foot, i.e. your left foot moves from the left side of the ball, behind it, then up and around, and never touches the ball. Your left foot should plant to the left and in front of the ball so that you are now standing over the ball. Your right foot quickly brushes the ball forward, i.e. your right foot pushes the top or side of the ball and continues forward, past the ball. As the ball rolls forward, your right foot, which is well in front of the ball, is now in position to redirect the ball to the side. Again, this is a quick, fake, touch, touch play.

My son showing a fake, brush, cut...



4) Brushing “Left Behind” Pass. [This is the same move as the Brushing “Left Behind” Nutmeg posted earlier except you don't send the ball through a defender's legs.]

Standing in front of the defender, step wide (to either side works but I will go to the right for clarity) with your right foot to the right, leaving the ball with your left foot, except after your wide step, your left foot brushes the ball toward your right foot, your left foot planting in front of your right foot while the ball is seemingly left behind and now rolls toward your planted left foot. From the defender’s perspective, you appear in no position to strike the ball. That is when your right ankle swings behind your left leg and punches the ball forward. (I say swing, but in reality, if your left foot planted past your right foot, then your right ankle need only punch the ball forward.) The defender is usually caught off guard and you simply run past him and catch up to the ball.

5) Self Give and Go. If you are going to your right, you start by pushing the ball to the right, with the outside of your right foot. The right foot then hops over the ball and plants, gently popping the ball back to the left (with the inside of the right foot popping the ball toward the inside of the left foot). From the defenders perspective, the ball is now moving in the opposite direction of the initial push, thus, the defender hesitates; but the player is actually still moving to the right, only the ball changed directions. Then, using momentum and a continuation of your running motion, the inside of the left foot should run through the ball, like a step/chip, scooping it past the defender who paused when the ball appeared to change directions. Again, this is a quick outside foot, inside same foot, inside other foot.

My son showing the self give and go...