Top 10 football tricks & who invented them

Published at :April 16, 2024 at 10:54 PM

Modified at :April 16, 2024 at 10:54 PM

Footballing geniuses who masterminded their tricks

Football manoeuvres are essential for baffling and defeating opposing opponents. A well-executed move disturbs the defenders, allowing for dribbling into free space. However, the core of these manoeuvres is their efficiency rather than their dazzling appearances. Mastery of a few moves is frequently more important than attempting to learn a whole list.

Football, also known as the “beautiful game,” captivates millions around the world with its combination of ability, strategy, and spectacle. Beyond the thrill of saves, tackles, and goals, the artistry of tricks has become an essential part of the sport’s identity.

Tricks, whether used to help the team advance up the field or to dazzle and disarm opponents, add an extra layer of excitement to the game. They exemplify the artistic flare and innovation that makes football more than simply a sport; it’s a compelling spectacle that continues to captivate fans across the globe.

Here’s the list of the top 10 players who invented some unique football tricks and used them to get past the defenders:

10. The Back Heel: Juan Carlos Lorenzo

“The back heel” is one of football’s most basic moves, but if executed well, it can be one of the best. It is the most effective way to play a pass or a shot in the opposite direction of where a player is facing. It is said that Real Madrid forward Alfredo di Stefano was one of the first to use it, scoring one of his four goals against Atletico Madrid in 1955.

9. The Okocha Turn: Jay-Jay Okocha

Augustine “Jay-Jay” Okocha was one of the best tricksters the Premier League has ever had. The Nigerian used a variety of evasive techniques to beat opponents, but his most famous trick was known as “the Okocha turn.” Okocha would roll the ball one way with the studs of one boot, then feint with his other foot to take the ball in the opposite direction, but instead, step over the ball and continue in the same manner, often leaving the opponent off guard.

8. The Dive: Jurgen Klinsmann

The most despised ploy of all, the “dive,” has been around for years and is now used by a large number of footballers to mislead the referee into awarding a free kick. Though many players have used this move before, it initially appeared when German international Jurgen Klinsmann made a dive during the 1990 World Cup. Klinsmann’s dive received so much attention that he used it as a celebration while playing for Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.

7. The Flip-Flap: Rivelino

Brazilian Rivelino, also known as “the akka” or “the elastico,” performed the trick for the first time at the 1970 World Cup. The ball is moved one way, as if to pass the opposition in that direction, before being whipped back with the inside of the foot. Ronaldinho perfected it following his debut, and countless more players have subsequently followed suit. Ever since Ronaldinho, a lot of players have used this trick to confuse the defenders and make them commit to one direction.

6. The Marseille Roulette: Diego Maradona

The legendary, Diego Maradona made this move, sometimes known as “the 360” or “the Gringo,” famous. “The Marseille Roulette” is performed by standing on the ball with one foot, whirling over it to protect it from the opponent, and then dragging it away with the other foot. While Maradona was the one who first introduced it to the globe, Zinedine Zidane used to do this skill often and he went on to perfect this particular skill.

5. The Panenka: Antonin Panenka

“The Panenka” is one of the most skilful techniques of beating a goalkeeper from the penalty spot, with a player lazily chipping the ball down the centre of the goal while the goalkeeper dives either way. According to FIFA’s official website, “the Panenka” originated in the final of the 1976 European Championship. Panenka faced German goalkeeper Sepp Maier and easily lofted the ball down the centre of the goal and past him. The likes of Andrea Pirlo, Francesco Totti and Sergio Aguero all found it a successful option while taking a penalty and they all mastered it.

4. The Step-Over: Law Adam

“The step-over” is one of the most simple yet powerful football techniques, creating space for a player to pass, cross, or shoot. Many players have used it throughout football history, including Chris Waddle, and Zinedine Zidane, but Law Adam, a Dutch footballer, is thought to have been the first to perfect the technique. Cristiano Ronaldo since he started his playing time at Manchester United, has continuously used this skill and the younger generation has started to use this trick more often now.

3. The Trivela: Ricardo Quaresma

“The Trivela” is a particularly efficient pass or shot when a player is forced to use his weaker foot. Portugal’s Ricardo Quaresma is a specialist at “the Trivela.” After being shifted onto his weaker left side, Quaresma frequently uses the outside of his right foot to tremendous effect. The topspin method of imparting a straight curl, as opposed to a sideways curl, onto a ball is recognized as a dip or a dipping shot. It is one of the skills which takes time to master.

2. The Ronaldo Chop: Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo is full of trickery and is unquestionably one of the finest players to have ever graced the game. One of Ronaldo’s favourite and most successful tricks is the “Ronaldo chop.” When faced with an opposing player, the Al Nassr player frequently attacks him at speed, using the inside of either foot to transfer the ball inside the standing leg at an angle that puts him in a different direction. He used this skill during his prime days at Real Madrid to full perfection.

1. The Cruyff Turn: Johan Cruyff

The Cruyff turn is a well-known technique in football. Though the Dutch hero had surely done it several times before, it was first viewed by the public during the 1974 World Cup in Germany. Cruyff, one of the game’s most brilliant players, feigned a pass before pulling the ball in the opposite direction and heading into the penalty area. Recently, Stefan Ortega, the Manchester City goalkeeper was seen using this turn against Crystal Palace.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.