Soccer skills
104 skills, beginner to advanced. 92 of them you can film on a phone and get measured. No fake scores.
Skills by level
You can film92 of 104 skills
Guided courses
Each course builds from the basics up to one Soccer move you've seen on TV. Film the steps the camera can read and check your form before you move on.
- Master the Ronaldo ChopCut inside at full speed and leave a defender for dead — the chop Ronaldo built a career on.Start the course
- Master the Roulette (Zidane Turn)Spin 360° through two defenders like Zidane and come out the other side with the ball.Start the course
- Master the Elastico (Flip-Flap)The flick that made Ronaldinho famous — push the ball out, snap it back, and glide past.Start the course
- Master the KnuckleballThe wobbling, dipping strike from distance that keepers can't read.Start the course
Beginner 26
- Thigh FlickControl a dropping ball on your thigh and cushion or flick it to your feet — the thigh is a big, forgiving surface for balls at knee-to-waist height.
- Sole StopStop the ball dead under the sole of your foot to instantly kill its pace and set up your next move. A pure control touch we coach.
- Inside CutChop the ball across your body with the inside of your foot to cut inside past a defender. The change of direction is all in your plant foot and how low you get.
- Outside CutCut the ball with the outside of your foot to move it to your stronger side and change direction the other way from an inside cut.
- Drag BackStop the ball dead and pull it back with your sole to reverse direction and escape pressure from behind.
- Pull PushPull the ball back with your sole then push it forward or across with the inside of the same foot — a quick two-touch to shift the ball and change angle.
- Roll OverRoll the ball sideways across your body with the sole of your foot to shift it into space and change direction. Also called a sole roll.
- V-PullPull the ball back with your sole then push it out at an angle with the inside — the ball traces a 'V' shape. Great for creating a passing lane.
- V-PushThe mirror of the V-pull — push the ball out and across first, then pull it back, tracing a 'V' the other way to wrong-foot a defender.
- L-TurnDrag the ball back then turn 90 degrees so the ball's path makes an 'L'. A tidy way to escape and set off in a new direction.
- Double Step OverTwo step-overs in a row to double the deception before you burst past — the ball stays still while your feet circle it twice.
- Shoulder DropDip your shoulder and lean hard one way to sell a direction, then cut the opposite way. Messi's signature way to beat a defender without touching the ball.
- ScissorsStep over the front of the ball from outside to inside, like your legs are scissoring, to fake a move and open a path the other way.
- Reverse ScissorsA scissors the other way — sweep your foot around the front of the ball from inside to outside to sell the opposite fake.
- Fake ShotWind up like you're about to blast a shot, then pull out of it to freeze defenders and keepers and open a new option.
- Fake PassWind up like an inside-foot pass, then withdraw or redirect to send defenders the wrong way and keep the ball.
- Inside-Foot PassThe most-used pass in soccer. You push the ball to a teammate with the inside of your foot — flat, accurate, and along the ground.
- First TouchYour first touch is how you control a ball that comes to you. A good one buys you time and space; a bad one means chasing the ball.
- Instep DriveThe power shot. You hit the ball with your shoelaces to send it low and hard at the goal.
- Side-Foot FinishThe most reliable way to score — passing the ball into the goal with the inside of your foot instead of blasting it. Accuracy beats power: a calm side-foot into the corner beats a wild rocket every time.
- Close-Control DribblingMoving with the ball while keeping it glued to your feet. The secret is lots of small, soft touches rather than big kicks — so the ball never gets away from you and defenders can't poke it loose.
- JugglingKeeping the ball in the air with your feet (and later thighs, chest, head) without it touching the ground. It won't win you a game, but it builds the soft touch and feel for the ball that everything else is built on.
- ShieldingProtecting the ball from a defender by putting your body between them and the ball. It buys you time to keep possession, wait for a teammate, or turn — without getting the ball poked away.
- Chest ControlTaking a ball out of the air with your chest and cushioning it softly down to your feet. The chest is your biggest, safest surface for a high ball — the trick is to 'give' as it arrives so it drops dead in front of you instead of bouncing away.
- Throw-InHow you restart play when the ball goes out over the sideline. It looks simple, but a sloppy 'foul throw' hands the ball straight to the other team — so the rules really matter here.
- JockeyingThe basics of one-on-one defending — staying in front of an attacker and slowing them down instead of lunging in. Good defending is patient: contain them, force them where you want, and only tackle when you're sure to win it.
Intermediate 37
- Quick Direction ChangeMessi's superpower — a tiny, explosive change of direction at full speed that leaves defenders grasping at air. Low centre of gravity, sharp plant, instant burst.
- Drag PushIniesta's escape — drag the ball back with the sole then push it out the other side with the same foot, gliding out of tight spaces the way only he could.
- First Touch FlickReceive and redirect the ball in one motion, flicking it into space past a defender — a first touch that beats a man before you've even settled it.
- Chest FlickTake a high ball on your chest and flick it into space or over a defender in one motion, instead of just cushioning it down.
- Outside Foot ControlReceive with the outside of your foot to take the ball into space away from a defender in one smooth, disguised touch.
- Drag ControlReceive and drag the ball across your body in one motion, moving it away from a defender as you control it.
- Toe Poke FinishA quick, surprising jab of the toe to finish before the keeper sets — Ronaldo's (R9) favourite in tight spaces. Ugly, but it works.
- Glancing HeaderA subtle flick of the head to redirect a cross into the far corner — finesse over power, the striker's poacher header.
- Flick HeaderFlick a ball on with the top of your forehead to redirect it backward or over — the near-post flick-on from set pieces.
- Block TackleThe fundamental front-on tackle — get low, plant firm, and block through the ball with the inside of your foot to win it cleanly.
- Standing TackleWin the ball while staying on your feet — step in, get low, and take it with firm contact without diving in. The defender's most reliable tackle.
- Hook TackleReach out and hook the ball away from a defender with an outstretched foot, often from the side — a stretchy, last-ditch nick.
- Poke TackleA quick jab of the toe to nick the ball away as an attacker touches it — then recover your balance fast. Don't overcommit.
- InterceptionRead a pass and step across to win it before it arrives — the smartest defending is anticipation, then an explosive first step.
- Shoulder ChallengeA fair, shoulder-to-shoulder charge to win a 50/50 or muscle an attacker off the ball — low, strong, and shoulder-first.
- Reverse ElasticoThe elastico flipped: push the ball with the inside of your foot, then snap it back with the outside in one quick motion. Ronaldinho's move, mirrored.
- Heel FlickFlick the ball up or behind you with your heel to escape pressure or start a trick. Mostly a touch skill — the camera checks your balance.
- Flick UpPop a still ball up from the ground to your feet to start juggling or a trick. A pure touch skill we coach step by step.
- McGeady SpinA roulette variant — drag the ball behind your standing foot and spin away, exiting a new direction with the outside of your boot. Aiden McGeady's signature.
- McGeady CancelStart a McGeady spin, then abort it — freezing the defender who reads the spin — and burst back the way you came.
- Berba SpinDimitar Berbatov's smooth spin turn — drag the ball, shield it with your body, and spin away to escape a defender in tight space.
- Ball Roll CutRoll the ball across your body with your sole, then plant and cut it away in a new direction — a roll into a sharp change of direction.
- Ball Roll ScoopRoll the ball then scoop it up or around to set up a flick or trick. Mostly a touch skill — the camera checks your balance and motion.
- Drag to HeelDrag the ball with your sole then redirect it with your heel behind you — a slick way to change direction in tight space.
- Toe BounceBounce the ball repeatedly on your toe to build touch and control. A pure juggling skill we coach — great for ball feel.
- Triple ElasticoThree elastico wraps in quick succession — a rapid-fire version of Ronaldinho's flick that overwhelms a defender.
- Hocus PocusA step-over into a reverse elastico — you fake with a leg-over, then whip the ball the other way. One of the flashiest combos in the game.
- Finesse CurlThe bent shot. You wrap your foot around the side of the ball to make it curve through the air — perfect for bending it around the keeper into the far corner.
- Step-OverYou trick the defender into thinking you're about to push the ball one way. They lean that way to block you — so you take it the other way and run past them.
- ChipThe delicate lift. You jab under the ball to pop it up and over the keeper, with backspin so it drops down and sits instead of running away.
- Drag-Back TurnA quick way to stop, change direction, and leave a defender going the wrong way. You roll the ball back with the sole of your foot and spin to face the other way — simple, but deadly when you sell it and burst out.
- Outside-Foot PassPassing or shooting with the outside of your foot instead of the inside. It curves the opposite way to a normal pass, comes off faster, and is much harder for defenders to read — great for wingers and disguised passes.
- Driven Long BallA long, low, fast pass to switch the play across the field or send the ball behind defenders. It travels quickly and stays flat, so it's hard to intercept — your best tool for moving the ball a long way in a hurry.
- Attacking HeaderScoring or directing the ball with your forehead. Done right it's a real weapon in the box.
- One-TwoThe classic way to beat a defender with a teammate instead of dribbling — also called a give-and-go or wall pass. You pass to a teammate, sprint past the defender, and get it straight back in the space behind them.
- Body FeintA fake with your body — no touch on the ball — to send a defender the wrong way. You drop your shoulder and lean hard one direction like you're about to sprint that way, then push off and go the other.
- Inside HookA sharp, clean turn using the inside of your foot to hook the ball back the other way and escape pressure. It's not flashy, but it's one of the most useful turns in the game — trusted by midfielders like Xavi and Pirlo to wriggle out of tight spots and switch direction while keeping the ball protected.
Advanced 20
- Triple Step OverCristiano Ronaldo's rapid-fire three step-overs — circle your foot around the ball three times in a blur before exploding past. Pure Ronaldo showmanship and speed.
- No-Look PassRonaldinho's magic — pass the ball one way while looking another, freezing defenders and the keeper. Deception with your eyes as much as your feet.
- Neymar RollNeymar's signature rolling move — roll the ball across your body with the sole and quickly snatch it back, wrong-footing the defender in his flashy style.
- Half Volley ControlCushion a dropping ball at the exact moment it bounces, taking the pace off a difficult bouncing pass in one touch.
- Spin ControlControl a spinning ball — reading the spin and adjusting your touch to tame a ball that's dropping and swerving. A feel-and-read skill we coach.
- Trivela ShotCurl the ball with the OUTSIDE of your foot — the trivela — to bend it the opposite way past a keeper. Ricardo Quaresma's trademark.
- Scissor KickA spectacular sideways overhead volley — you leap, scissor your legs, and strike a ball out of the air across your body. Learn the safe landing first.
- Diving HeaderDive horizontally to head a low ball with power and courage. Brave and spectacular — with a landing you need to brace.
- Backward HeaderHead the ball back over your own head — for backward flick-ons and clever redirects. Uses a controlled backward arch.
- Slide TackleA last-resort sliding challenge along the ground to reach a ball you can't get to on your feet. Timing and a safe, side-on slide are everything.
- VolleyHitting the ball out of the air before it bounces. It's all about timing — meeting a moving ball cleanly with one smooth swing.
- Cruyff TurnA fake-and-spin to escape a defender. You act like you're about to pass, then drag the ball behind your own standing leg and spin away the other way.
- KnuckleballA powerful shot with almost no spin, so the ball wobbles and dips unpredictably in the air. It's one of the hardest shots in the game — even pros miss it often, so expect it to take a lot of practice.
- Half-VolleyStriking the ball the instant it bounces, while it's still low and rising — not letting it settle, and not waiting for it to drop. It's one of the cleanest, most satisfying strikes in the game (think Gerrard and Lampard from distance), but the timing window is tiny, so expect plenty of misses while you learn it.
- Curling Free KickBending a dead ball over the wall and into the corner — the classic 'bend it like Beckham' free kick. You brush across and under the ball with the inside of your foot to make it curl and dip.
- La CroquetaA quick shift of the ball from one foot to the other to slip past a defender in tight space — Iniesta's signature move. The motion is simple; the timing (drawing the defender in, then shifting) is what makes it work.
- NutmegSlipping the ball through a defender's legs and collecting it on the other side — cheeky, crowd-pleasing, and genuinely useful when a defender stands with their legs apart or lunges in. Also called a 'panna.' Pick your moment: if it's not on, it's better to just pass.
- First-Time FinishStriking a pass or cross straight into the goal in one touch, without controlling it first. It's the mark of a clinical finisher — the ball's already moving, so you borrow its pace and just redirect it accurately.
- Whipped CrossA fast, curling cross from out wide that bends away from the keeper and into the path of your attackers. It arrives quickly and dips into the danger area, so defenders and the keeper have little time to react.
- Penalty KickThe one-on-one from the spot, twelve yards out. The technique is the easy part — composure is what wins it.
Insane 21
- Chop + Elastico CombinationRonaldo's combo — sell a chop one way, then whip an elastico the other in one flowing sequence. Two of his signatures chained into an unreadable move.
- Toe FlickRonaldinho's cheeky toe poke around a defender — a quick flick with the tip of the boot to send the ball past them unexpectedly. All disguise and touch.
- Fake RabonaNeymar's showpiece fake — wind up a rabona (wrapping your kicking leg behind your standing leg), then pull out of it to bamboozle the defender. Flash and deception.
- Okocha FlickJay-Jay Okocha's outrageous flick trickery — flashy, unpredictable flicks and lifts to embarrass defenders. The showman's move, all touch and imagination.
- CrossoverCross your foot over the ball to fake one way then take it the other — a freestyle change of direction that wrong-foots defenders.
- Reverse SombreroFlick the ball up and back over your own head (or a defender's) the reverse way, then collect it behind. A flashy, pure-touch trick we coach.
- AkkaA street move — flick the ball around one side of a defender and run around the other to collect it. Flashy panna-style humiliation, all touch.
- Air ElasticoAn elastico performed on a ball in the air or off a bounce — the same out-and-in whip, but with the ball off the ground. Elite ball mastery.
- PannaThe street nutmeg with attitude — put the ball through a defender's legs and collect it the other side to complete the 'panna'. The ultimate humiliation.
- Sit Down TrickA cheeky freestyle move — drop the ball and sit on it, or trap it and sit, as a showpiece. Pure control and showmanship, coached.
- StallsBalance the ball still on a body part — foot, knee, neck, or head — and hold it. The freestyle art of the perfect stall. (Covers foot, knee, neck & head stalls.)
- ElasticoOne of the flashiest tricks in the game, and one of the hardest. You push the ball one way with the outside of your foot, then whip the same foot around and snap it back the other way, all in one motion.
- Maradona SpinA smooth 360 spin right on top of the ball, using your body to shield it from a defender. You drag the ball back with one foot's sole, spin with your back to the defender, then drag it on with the other foot — a \"double drag-back.\" It's elegant but takes real practice, and going too fast makes the ball scatter.
- Ronaldo ChopA sharp change of direction at full speed — you hop onto one foot and chop the ball behind it with the inside of your other foot, cutting away at an angle. Wingers use it to cut inside.
- Rainbow FlickFlicking the ball up the back of your leg and over your own head (and a defender behind you) so it lands in front of you — the classic 'rainbow' (think Okocha and Neymar). It's spectacular and genuinely hard; expect a long stretch of fumbling it before it works, and know that some refs treat it as showboating.
- RabonaKicking the ball with your leg wrapped behind your standing leg — the 'crossed-legs' kick. It lets you cross or shoot with your strong foot when your body's lined up for the weak one (like a right-footer crossing from the left wing without turning).
- Bicycle KickThe spectacular overhead kick — you launch backward into the air and strike a high ball back over your head. Safety first, because the landing is the dangerous part: land on your SIDE or upper back, never your neck or head, with your arms out to cushion you and your chin tucked.
- Scorpion KickAn acrobatic clearance or finish where you dive forward, catch yourself on your hands, and snap both heels up behind your head to flick a ball dropping behind you — your body arched like a scorpion's tail. Made famous by goalkeeper Rene Higuita.
- Around-the-WorldA freestyle juggling trick: you pop the ball up and swing the same foot all the way around it in a full circle before catching it again — without it touching the ground. It's more a flair and ball-mastery move than a match skill, but it's brilliant for your touch.
- Sombrero FlickLifting the ball up and over a defender's head — 'over the hat,' hence sombrero — then darting around them to collect it on the other side. It's a high-risk, high-reward way past someone in tight space, and very advanced; it takes a lot of practice to get the height and timing right.
- Seal DribbleThe 'seal dribble' (drible da foquinha) — you flick the ball up onto your forehead and run past defenders bouncing it on your head like a seal, made famous by Kerlon. Worth knowing: it's legally dubious — referees can penalize it as dangerous or unsporting play, and in real games it tends to provoke hard, sometimes…