Soccer Tricks And Strategies

Aside from variations on set pieces, soccer tricks for the most part are not necessarily planned and coordinated. Unlike American football, which has established trick plays such as reversals or fleaflickers, soccer tricks are generally shots from the hip. With little more than vision, luck and anticipation, two or three players can completely disarm a defense.

Individually, a player is only limited by his talent, speed, and ability to be unpredictable.

Set pieces, especially direct and indirect free kicks in the attacking third of a field, are the nearest opportunity for a team to demonstrate a rehearsed play. In order to throw off the defense and the goalkeeper, two or three offensive players approach the the ball to take the kick. Each player will move towards the ball as if to take the kick. With players coming from two or three different angles, the goalkeeper is kept in suspense as to what angle and what foot the ball will be struck with. This leaves the goalkeeper anticipating the eventual angle and spin of the ball. In addition to keeping the characteristics of the shot a mystery, the one or two players running off the ball work effectively as screens obstructing the view of the goalkeeper.

Similarly, two players (ideally a right-footed and a left-footed player) will stand at angles of approach, and only at the last moment will one of the players move on to take the free kick. Using only two players creates a similar effect as using three but with less focus on screening the keeper.

Although there are many soccer drills that utilize dummy passes to train players for endurance or touch, in a match players may attempt a dummy ball to confuse or throw off an opponent. The basic more traditional dummy pass generally involves three players. The first player will pass the ball to the second player who makes a move on to the ball. Instead of collecting the pass allows the ball to pass around him or through his legs to a third player. Depending on the location of the dummy play on the pitch, defenders or midfielders on the opposing team can be distracted, committed to defending against the wrong play, or cause the defense to draw apart creating gaps and vulnerabilities in the defensive line.

Soccer tricks such as the dummy ball in the midfield can produce a stunning run or set up a critical cross. In the attacking third, a disciplined offense can completely disarm a defense and goalkeeper with a well timed dummy pass. A dummy ball just outside or inside the penalty box can end on a strike on the net. If the goalkeeper is effectively tricked he can be pulled out of position or show his hand to the striker, leaving him severely vulnerable or worse yet, flat-footed and off his line.

In addition to a two or three person dummy pass, individual players can dummy balls to themselves. for example a player will have the opportunity to collect a pass, but instead of immediately receiving the pass, he will let the ball pass by him. If a defensive player has committed to breaking the pass up, he will be caught flat-footed as the offensive player moves into space to collect the ball. The freed space created from forcing the defender out of position, creates the opportunity for a fast-break or counterattack or allow for another pass or a cross to another player.

Aside from the myriad of dummy ball plays, variations of soccer tricks exist for individual players as well. Expert dribblers like FC Barcelona's Ronaldhino, can outright dribble circles around the average defender. Although all soccer players possess some dribbling skill, experts can fake and juke defenders with little effort.

A popular individual soccer tricks is the nutmeg. A dribbling player caught in a 1 v 1 situation will quickly fake right or left. As the defensive player tries to keep with the player, he is caught flat-footed with his legs spread apart. The dribbling player will then pass the ball through the defender's legs and sprint back on to the ball.

Another scenario involves an individual dribbler in a 1v2 situation. Instead of moving to the left or right of the player, he will attempt to split the defense. Although splitting the defense is more a sign of defensive inadequacy then a soccer trick, the play does require timing from the offensive player. The dribbling player will move directly towards the space in between the two defenders and play the odds that in a moment of hesitation both players will fail initially to defend against the player. The moment of hestiation coupled with poor communication will invevitably force the defending players to either over-compensate or under- compensate for their hestiation. If both players under-compensate, the dribbling player will have space to move. If the players over-compensate, if they act too agressively, it is likely that the defensive players will commit a foul, either tripping or tackling the dribbling player.

Chances for soccer tricks usually become available when there is time and opportunity for an individual player to distribute the ball. Instead of making a traditional pass with the instep of his shoe, he may choose to use the outside or heel of his boot. This soccer trick creates unexpected, no-look passes. Striking the ball from different angles also alters the curve or hook of a shot. Instead of using the instep of the boot, a player may choose to use the outside of his boot, causing the curve or hook towards the right. Typically a right-footed shot hooks left Adjusting the curve of a ball can cause the goalkeeper to prematurely move in the wrong direction of a shot.

Although when executed properly, soccer tricks can cause a great deal of confusion on the defensive end of the game; a poorly executed trick can have the opposite effect. Soccer tricks gone wrong, such as an intercepted dummy pass, can lead to a crucial counter attack, while mis-strikes on the ball can spoil a scoring opportunity.