Signature Moves of Famous Soccer Players

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Cristiano Ronaldo Stepover & Jump Cut

Ronaldo soccer movesCristiano Ronaldo is well known for his incredible speed and lightning fast feet. Two of his moves stand out though. Number one is the step over. Ronaldo uses both the step over & reverse step over to wrong foot his markers and blow right by opposing defenders.

For the step over, start by dribbling forward. Plant your right foot to the outside of the ball and swing your left leg around the front of the ball in a counterclockwise direction. Your foot will go from the right side of the ball to the outside (left) side of the ball. Plant your left foot and use the outside of your right foot to accelerate away from the defender.

His other signature move is the jump cut. Ronaldo typically uses this move while blasting down the line with a defender sprinting madly next to him. He then uses the back of his outside foot to flick the ball at a 90 degree angle to the inside while he jumps over it with his inside leg. This quick change of direction leaves defenders helpless to stay with him as he goes to goal.
Ronaldinho Elastico/Flip Flap
Ronaldinho soccer movesThe elastico or "flip-flap" was invented by Brazilian soccer player Roberto Rivelino. It has been famous in recent years by Ronaldinho & Ibrahimovic. The move is made by pushing the ball sideways with your foot and then quickly planting the same foot ahead of the ball's path.The ball strikes the planted foot and goes the other way.This move will tie your defender in knots if you can pull it off.

Now once you have mastered doing it quickly on the ground, try these variations:

* Starts on the ground, but lift the ball as your perform the move.
* Ball is flicked into the air in the second movement
* Reversed - inside cut, then outside cut. With this version it is easier to get the ball in the air
* Inside roll, then scooped up quickly diagonally forwards. This version is the easiest to pull off when running at speed

Zidane Turn/Marseille Roulette
Zidane soccer movesThe spin turn is a move that is designed to confuse your opponent by quickly switching the direction of the ball and player, without the ball handler having to move much.

Its inventor is said to be the late David Rocastle, an English football player who spent the majority of his career at Arsenal F.C. However, it is believed that the player who may well be most responsible for the popularization of the move is Diego Maradona.

It's sometime referred to as the Zidane or the Zizou as he's been one of the most skilled players at pulling this off in the middle of games, at times linking several together.

The move begins with the player facing the ball, with the ball just a step away or less. The player launches off with his weaker foot, extends his stronger foot, steps lightly on the ball with the tips of his cleats and pulls the ball along the ground towards himself. The foot should remain in contact with the ball only for a brief moment; once the ball is set in motion, the stronger foot continues in its original direction of motion and lands on the ground to provide support for the second part of the body spin.

The body spin actually begins at the same time as the foot drag back. The executing player throws his body forward and over the ball as it is being pulled back. Simultaneously he spins his body 90 degrees by turning to facing the side of his weaker foot.

The second part of the body spin commences as the ball approaches the player's weaker foot; the stronger foot touches the ground and the player uses it to continue pivoting his body. He spins until he faces the the direction of his stronger foot back in his original position.

Sir Stanley Matthews Cut
Often regarded as one of the greats of the English game, he was the first footballer to be knighted (and is, as of 2008, the only player to have been knighted while still playing), as well as the first European Footballer of the Year and the first Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year. One of his signature moves was the inside/out cut.

Dribble forward and then with the inside of your right foot, tap the ball slightly to the left, as if you were going to cut that way.

Instead, plant and push off the left foot and take the ball back to the right with the outside off the right foot.

It is essential to add a "little hop" to the left (with both feet) when beginning this move while you are lightly touching the ball to the inside.

This will prevent your left foot from getting in the way and put you in a better position to accelerate away to the right side.

Johan Cruyff Turn
Cruyff soccer movesCruyff was known for his technical ability, speed and acceleration, but his greatest quality was vision, based on an acute sense of his team-mates' positions as an attack unfolded.

Learning the Cruyff turn only takes a minute, but to perfect it takes a lifetime.

Begin by dribbling the ball forward. Plant your left foot near the ball and wind up with your right left as if you are going to take a shot or cross the ball. Instead of shooting, bring your right foot down and chop the ball backwards and under your plant left. Your opponent's momentum should carry him forward allowing you to get off a quality shot or service.

Pelé Bicycle Kick
Pele soccer movesA video clip of Pelé scoring with a bicycle kick for the Brazilian National Team was part of the opening video montage of the popular sports TV series ABC's Wide World of Sports and was probably many Americans' initial viewing of the sport. This acrobatic move still results in roars from the crowd whenever it is performed.

To execute the bicycle kick, you must keep your back to the target and your eyes on the ball. Bring the knee of your non-kicking leg toward your chest followed immediately with the same motion of your kicking leg. This movement is similar to the one you would make while pedaling a bicycle backwards. Extend your kicking leg to strike the ball while you are still in the air. Pedaling down with your non-kicking leg, kick through the ball. Flex your foot so that your ankle makes a right angle as you connect. Extend both arms and your palms facing the ground behind you to brace yourself. Keep your eyes on the knee of your kicking leg so that you don't bang your head on the ground when you land.
David Beckham Free Kick

David Beckham soccer movesBeckham isn't known for any specific dribbling move, nor is he called on to regularly beat defenders with the ball at his feet. Beckham's strength and trademark has always been the ability to deliver excellent balls on set pieces.

When outside of shooting range, or while playing corners, Beckham has an uncanny knack for putting the ball right where it needs to be for the finish.

His highlight reel moments, however, are his free kicks. So much so that the phrase "Bend It Like Beckham" became the title of a movie and is pretty much well known in the mainstream. Beckham's free kicks combine pace, accuracy and incredible swerve to put the ball out the of reach of opposing keepers.