20 Essential Soccer Moves to Use Against Defenders

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Learn how (& when) to use these moves to dominate on the field

Co-authored by Walter Merino and Marcus Pruitt, BS

Last Updated: August 27, 2026 Fact Checked

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Beginner Moves

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Intermediate

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Advanced

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Cool & Flashy

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Video

On the soccer field, there are so many moves you can use to create space, trick opponents, and set up powerful shots. As you progress in the game, you may encounter moves that look like straight wizardry. Well, not only are we here to tell you that you can do those moves yourself, but we’re also here to teach you how to do them. Read on for a list of beginner, intermediate, and advanced soccer moves to add to your arsenal. We even throw in a few cool moves for you to show off with!

Soccer Moves to Add to Your Skillset

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An illustration of essential soccer moves.

Stepover: A sweeping move where you step over the ball with your dominant foot before dragging the ball in the opposite direction with your other foot.
Shoulder Drop (aka Body Feint): A deceptive move where you shift your weight into one direction before exploding into the opposite direction.
Cruyff Turn: A quick fake into a 180-degree turn.
Maradona Turn: An advanced move where you spin the ball 360 degrees as you protect it with your body.
Rabona: A deceptive move where you twist your dominant leg behind your other leg and use it to kick the ball.

Section 1 of 4:

Soccer Moves for Beginners

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Stepover This classic move tricks defenders into going in the opposite direction. As you close in toward the goal, step over the ball with your dominant foot to bait your defender before quickly dragging the ball with your other foot into the opposite direction. While they’re heading to where the ball was, you’ll be setting yourself up for a shot.^{[1]
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- When to Use: When coming down the field or closing in on the goal.
- This move is often conflated with “The Scissor,” which uses the same technique but puts the foot into different directions.
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Cut Achieve this simple move by pushing the ball off your inside or outside foot at an angle, cutting it past the opponent and to a teammate (or a goal). Practice this move on the field a few times to get your inside and outside cuts down, and before you know it, you’ll be able to deceive your opponent with a quick shift to a direction they weren’t expecting.
- When to Use: When needing to create space and throw an opponent off.
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Shoulder Drop Also known as the Body Feint, the Shoulder Drop is a deceptive move that uses the body to confuse the opponent. As you’re dribbling the ball, shift your weight to one foot to bait your defender. Then, take a step and barrel in the opposite direction. This will send them to where you were and create the space you need to go for a shot.^{[2]
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- When to Use: When setting up for a goal or creating space.
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Fake Shot This is a simple move that tricks your opponent into closing their defense onto you. As you’re getting closer to the goal, set up as if you’re about to go for a big shot. Instead of taking the shot, however, stop the ball completely or redirect it to throw off your opponent’s momentum, get the defenders onto you, and set up for your teammates.
- When to Use: When you want to set your teammates up to shoot and/or shake off their defenders.
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The Pull Back Give the ball a little kick as you continue your dribble. Then, plant one foot in the turf and use the underside of your foot to pull the ball back behind you and create some space. Once it’s behind you, pivot into a different direction and go for a pass or continue your dribble.^{[3]
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- When to Use: When you’re passing or need to continue your dribble in another direction.

Section 2 of 4:

Intermediate Soccer Moves

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Cruyff Turn Named after the famous Dutch player Johan Cruyff, this move is achieved by faking a pass with your dominant foot, then quickly dragging the ball behind your other foot. As you drag it, turn 180 degrees in the opposite direction to catch your opponent by surprise and quickly change direction.^{[4]
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- When to Use: When your defender is closing in near the sideline or cutting off your current route.
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Stop and Go This move is just as it sounds. As you quickly dribble toward your defender, suddenly stop just long enough for them to shift their position. Then, blast forward and force them to get back on their feet. This fast change of pace can throw them off balance or cause them to overcorrect, opening the field for you to make a game-changing play.
- When to Use: On the wings and/or when your defender is sprinting to keep up.
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Toe Drag The toe drag fakes the opponent out in a similar way to the shoulder drop. Push the ball into the space opposite of where you want to go. Lean your body as you fake another push, drag your toe on the ground, and hop with your remaining foot. Then, push the ball into the direction you actually want to go to get your defender off-balance.
- When to Use: When coming down the field and looking to create space for a shot.
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Elastico When you need to create space, use the Elastico. To pull it off, flick the ball with your outside foot to shift its direction. Then, immediately shift to the opposite direction and drag the ball with the inside of your foot as you do. This flip-flop motion will give you space, but make sure you accelerate after changing directions to maintain control.^{[5]
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- When to Use: In one-on-one situations where you need to create space and/or get the opponent out of the way.
EXPERT TIP

Walter Merino
Soccer Coach
Walter Merino is a Youth Soccer Coach and Co-Founder of Ole Soccer Club based out of the Los Angeles, California area. He has coached youth from the age of four to the high school and college levels. Walter has played collegiate soccer for Cal Poly Pomona and Los Angeles Mission College. His accomplishments include coaching Olé Soccer Club to win the 2017 Cal South State Cup Governors Boys 2007 Division title.

Walter Merino
Soccer Coach

Soccer is a multidirectional sport. Being able to dribble in different ways, manipulate the ball, pull off fakes, and change directions quickly not only gives you a better chance at scoring, but also builds your confidence as a player.
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Inside Touch-Scissor Lightly touch the inside of the ball to bait your defender, then cross the same foot around the ball like a scissor to throw them off even more. After that, use your other foot to cut the ball outside, secure the space, and send your opponent off.
- When to Use: When you need to deceive your opponent and create space.
- Practice this one slowly a few times before trying it in the game. If your timing isn’t right, the defender can easily read your move and throw the play off.

Section 3 of 4:

Advanced Soccer Moves

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360/Roulette/Maradona Turn Known as the “Roulette” in Europe and the “360” in video games, the Maradona turn is a flashy move that requires precise ball control. Start by tapping the ball with the underside of your foot to drag it with you. Then, quickly spin your body and drag the ball with your other foot.^{[6]
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- When to Use: When defenders are closing in on you and you need a quick way to get out.
- This move can be easily fumbled, so make sure to protect the ball with your body as you turn to keep defenders from tripping you up.
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Rabona When you’re dribbling toward an opponent and getting ready to shoot or pass, bring your dominant leg back like you’re going to kick. Instead of doing a standard kick, though, wrap your dominant leg around the back of your weaker leg and deliver the kick from that angle.^{[7]
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- When to Use: When the defender is blocking your standard route or as you’re approaching them.
- This move is practical, powerful, and throws defenders off in tight situations where you can’t deliver a standard kick.
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Fake Rabona This one takes the standard Rabona and fakes the kick twice, giving you multiple opportunities to bait your opponent. When you’re dribbling down the field, roll the underside of your foot over the ball and bring the other leg behind it as if you’re about to kick. Instead of kicking, though, wrap the foot you rolled behind the other leg, then kick or pass.
- When to Use: When you’re coming down the field and closing in on the goal.
- Instead of kicking or passing, you can also send the ball up to set yourself up for a powerful shot! Just make sure to get to the ball before your opponent.
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La Croqueta This simple-looking move requires good ball control. To pull it off, align your feet and move laterally, and as you do, rapidly dribble the ball between them. This will let you glide past your defender as you keep the ball close to you. It’s not a particularly flashy move, but it comes in handy when you need to create space.^{[8]
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- When to Use: When being tightly guarded by a defender.
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Double Outside Chop As you move toward your opponent, bring the outside of your foot to the ball and softly kick it to change the angle and create space (but don’t send it too far). Then, hop to the ball and kick it in the opposite direction with the outside of your foot. This will shake your defender into the space you made with the first kick and free you up to deliver a shot near the wing.
- When to Use: When you’re coming down the field and want to shake your defender and open space.

Section 4 of 4:

Cool Soccer Moves

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Rainbow Kick This flashy kick is iconic in soccer, but it’s also highly risky. When the defender’s close, grab the ball with your toe behind and heel in front. Then, lift the ball upward with your feet and flick it over you and your opponents’ heads. Use it to pass to a teammate or create space between you and an opponent while catching them off guard.^{[9]
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- When to Use: When passing to a teammate as an opponent closes in and/or tightly defends you.
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Hocus Pocus Pull this tricky move off by bringing one foot in front of the ball as the defender tightly guards you. Then, use the inside of your other foot to push the ball behind your front leg and deliver a powerful shot or push the ball in front of you. This move relies on a quick twist-and-sprint to surprise your opponent, so you’ll need to be on point when pulling it off.^{[10]
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- When to Use: When a defender’s tightly guarding you.
- Make sure to practice this one a few times before trying it in-game, or else you may end up tripping on yourself or turning the ball over.
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Fake Pass Meg To pull off a fake pass meg while the defender’s closing in, push the ball with your inside foot as if you’re passing it. Then, use the underside of your foot to bring the ball back as the defender goes for the fake pass. Their legs will be open as they regain their footing, which is when you knock the ball in between them with the same foot as you pass to a teammate.^{[11]
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- When to Use: When the defender’s rushing to close in.
- This quick move embarrasses the defender and shows off your footwork.
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Henry Fake Run up to the ball like you’re gonna shoot, but just as you plant your foot, hit the ball with the plant foot to pass it to a teammate. The set up will make defenders think you’re getting ready for a shot, which will draw them toward you and away from your opponent. You may not get the goal for it, but everyone will notice your cunning skillset.^{[12]
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- When to Use: When passing to a teammate.
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Back Pass Picture the ball coming quickly downfield. You don’t have enough time to shift your body and make a play or pass. Turn your back to the direction of the ball and move your shoulders to deflect it. Your instinct may be to get out of the way or try to go for a headbutt, but if you want to catch defenders off guard and save the play, a back pass is a great way to do so!^{[13]
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- When to Use: When the ball’s coming quickly and you don’t have time to adjust your body.