Top 10 Most Used Moves in Soccer

There are endless moves to be learned and perfected in soccer.

When watching soccer at the highest level, a spectator will see 90 minutes of moves, moves and more moves. Whether it's to beat a defender off the dribble, find space for a pass, to hold the ball longer or create room for a shot, soccer players are often only as good as their moves. There are an infinite number of moves and combinations in soccer, but some moves stand the test of time and are the most commonly taught to young players.

Pull Back

The pull back is the first on the list because it's the most basic and easy of all soccer moves. In the pull back, the player simply puts his foot on top of the ball and pulls it backwards and turns to dribble, pass or shoot the other direction. It is one quick, fluid motion and generally comes natural to young players.

Stepover

With the stepover, a player swings his foot towards the ball as if he is about to strike it with the inside of their foot. Instead, the player brings his foot all the way around the ball and brings it back down to the ground, then quickly takes the ball in the other direction with the outside of the foot. The move essentially makes the defender think the attacker is going to touch the ball one way, then quickly goes the other. Once young players master this move, he can progress to double stepovers.

Scissors

The scissors is the inverted version of the stepover. Instead of bringing your foot towards the ball as if you were going to touch it with the inside, do it as if you're about to take a dribble with the outside of your foot. Then, bring your foot all the way around the ball and take it in the opposite direction. As with the stepover, the player can progress to a double or even triple-scissors.

Fake Kick

The fake kick is exactly what it sounds like. The attacker will step into a shot or pass, put his head down and bring his foot back. Then, the players will drive his foot into the ground instead of striking the ball, causing the defender to lunge, jump or freeze. At which point, the attacker uses his change of pace to dribble on.

Side Roll

The side roll is a move incorporating the bottom of the foot. When a player is dribbling, the ball is always on one of his feet, and this is a good move to get the ball to the other foot. Simply place your foot on top of the ball and roll it across your body. Then control it with your opposite foot and take off again.

Cryuff

Named for the infamous Dutch soccer legend Johan Cruyff, the cruyff is soccer's version of the behind-the-back pass. With a cruyff, the player simply knocks the ball behind the opposite leg, with the inside of his foot. With a cruyff, you can strike the ball rather hard with it, so it can be a dribble, pass or a shot.

Inside-Outside

A move often used by Brazilian star Ronaldinho, the inside outside move can get a defender's feet tangled, leaving the attacker space to work. The player simply touches the ball one way with the inside of his foot and then immediately takes it the other way with the outside of his foot. Almost like dribbling a hockey puck, the ball will move back at forth at rapid pace.

Stop-Start

The stop-start is a way to freeze a defender in his tracks. Using any of the four surfaces of the foot---the laces, inside, outside and bottom---the attacking player simply brings the ball, and his body, to a complete stop. Then with one quick, unexpected touch, the player takes off with speed dribbling again. With a stop-start, the attacker must sell the move with his whole body, not just his feet.

Inside Hook/Outside Hook

With the hook move, the defender simply cuts the ball in another direction with a quick step. The trick with the hook is to do it at speed, whether it's done with the inside of the foot or the outside of the foot. The path of the ball with the hook should include a sharp turn. The hook can be used to turn directly around or off the the side.

Pull Spin

Also known as the "Maradona," named for the Argentinian legend, the pull spin requires the player to do a full spin move with the ball. The attacker starts by dribbling at pace. Then he stops the ball with the bottom of one foot and then quickly hops off the other. He hops and turns 180 degrees in the air and lands with his other foot on top of the ball. Then, he pulls the ball backward and quickly turns around and takes the ball off the dribble.

References

• Youtube: Soccer Moves Videos
• Coerver: Coaching
• Expert Football: Soccer Videos