How to Step Over the Ball in Soccer

Stepping over the ball in soccer is one tactic that you can use to really fake out your defender. It works best on people who watch the ball too much and don't focus on defending the actual player.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Soccer ball

Fake-out

1. Keep the ball extremely close to you while attempting to step over the ball. The entire point is to create some separation between you and the defender. In a sense, it is similar to a fake cross-over dribble in basketball. You will step over the ball, making the defender think that you are going to continue dribbling. The defender continues running in the direction you faked. You then dribble in the other direction.
2. The fake-out element occurs when you attempt a change of direction with the ball you are dribbling. You pretend as if you are going to continue dribbling with the outside of your foot. Instead, you step over the ball without touching it, plant it on the ground, and the defender will keep in the direction he was going due to momentum.
3. Your pace needs to be the same as the ball's pace. If you are sprinting and the ball is slowly dribbling, you won't be able to fake out the defender. You need it to be the same as the pace of the ball so that when you actually step over the ball, the ball will continue into the back of your planted foot, right where you want it.

Tips & Warnings

• Stepping over the ball in soccer is very similar to a fake cross-over dribble in basketball. It can really fake the defender out and give you open field.
• Stepping over the ball requires concentration. If you aren't paying attention, you could easily sprain an ankle.