Effective 1v1 moves, open field, EXPERT 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.]

Again, these moves are somewhat complicated, but I’ll try my best to describe them. When executed correctly, spectators usually go wild!

1) Ronaldo. Named after the Brazilian. I’ve seen defenders actually turn and run in the wrong direction, completely baffled.

This move is like a pass to yourself. With your right foot forward and over the ball (and slightly in front of the ball), brush the ball back toward your left foot, which should be under your body, at the same time keeping your right foot forward and in the air. Your left ankle punches the ball forward (usually with a hop), toward the defender. Since your right foot is still hovering out in front, it can redirect the ball toward the left, right and even straight.

To practice this move, I have the player pass the ball back to himself, punch it forward and step on the ball. In other words, right foot passes back, left ankle punches forward, and right foot stops ball by stepping on it. This move is effective because defenders see the ball coming toward them and hear the kick, but at the last moment, your hovering foot redirects. And if you punch the ball, slightly angled toward the opposite direction of which you're really going to go, you can make the defender turn in the wrong direction.

Once you get it, this move is actually easier while on the run. My son showing the Ronaldo, followed by Ronaldo...



2) Pedalada. Robinho is the true master of this move, the multiple scissors.

The scissors is when your foot first moves behind the ball then around and out in front, coming to rest beside the ball again. A Pedalada is effective because your feet are moving around the ball and at anytime you can move your foot slightly and cut the ball with either your right or left foot, using the inside or outside of either foot. While this is a common move, most players kick the ball forward and then try to catch up to the ball to do their scissors. This isn’t ideal.

The best way to start a Pedalada, especially on a small field, is to stand over and slightly in front of the ball (your bottom over the ball), with one foot far forward. Your back foot brushes the ball forward and steps on the outside of the ball, thereby being the first scissor. In other words, you don’t need to send the ball first, your brush is what gets the ball rolling, and since you’re already over the ball, you’ve jumped right into your Pedalada thus eliminating the need for space.

My son showing the Pedalada, followed by Robinho...



3) Roulette. Zidane is the master of this move.

Some people call this the helicopter, where you spin over the ball. Most youth players do it incorrectly because they simply do a 360 over a ball that moves in a straight line. This move is more effective when the ball actually moves off path. And while a roulette can be done on the run, you can also do it from a stand still. This is the method I will describe.

Push the ball diagonally (forward/left) with the inside of your right foot, across your body and then stop the ball with your toe. The ball should be away from your body, your leg extended. Next, rake the ball back on the same path (diagonally back/right) with your right foot as you start to spin your body counterclockwise. As you spin, your left foot steps on the ball (that your right foot sent back) and brushes it forward/right. By now you should have spun about 330. You dribble in that new direction.

This move really works well when a defender challenges from the side. Your raking foot should be the one closest to your defender because you don’t want to shield the ball from your opponent. You're teasing them to go after the ball. So, if they come in from your right, you rake the ball back with your right, spin your back toward the defender, and cut in an angle somewhat in the direction your defender had just come from. This allows you to use their momentum against them, and use your spinning arms/elbows to push off your opponent.

My son showing the Roulette, followed by Zidane on the run...



4) Elastico. Ronaldinho is the master of this move. An optical illusion move where the ball appears stuck to the player's foot.

Stand behind the ball with your feet together. With your kicking foot, push the ball with the outside of your foot, away from your body. [HINT: It’s easier if you point your toes toward the ground.] As you push the ball, your pushing foot works its way around the ball. [HINT: Knicking the back edge of the ball with your foot is another way to get around the ball.] Once your foot is on the outside of the ball, cut the ball back with the inside of your foot.

My son showing the Elastico, followed by Ronaldinho...