What has happened to Ronaldinho!?

Following some of the italian Serie A league games for the past couple of weeks. I couldn't help but notice how the once great Ronaldinho has deteriorated into a fairly average and uninterested player, especially during Inter's 4 - 0 thrashing of AC Milan . Ever since his fallout at Barcelona and the subsequent move to AC Milan, the player who once brought the wonderful tricks from freestyle football onto the big stage in europe has somewhat fallen from grace, starting from the mediocre performance during the 2006 world cup in Germany. This was followed by a fallout with the former barca coach, Frank Rjikaard, and an apparent lack of form and fitness. The spanish media even went on to state that ronnie was 'overweight', hence earning him the nickname 'gordinho' which roughly means 'fatty fat chubby pieface'. Gone are the days when the once great brazilian genius performed tricks during matches that some players wouldn't even try during training! Recently, ronnie has also dismissed talks about a possible retirement from football or the idea of leaving europe to return to play in brazil.. similar to what Adriano and Ronaldo (the fat one) have done.

Will Ronaldo (and his soccer tricks) Succeed in Spain?

Will Ronaldo (and his soccer tricks) Succeed in Spain?







As if its not been talked about enough, Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Real Madrid seems to be all the jazz these days. So we were wondering if Ronnie's bag of soccer tricks that made him the scourge of defenders in the Premier League be as effective or work even better in the Primera Liga? One might remember the 'young and raw' Cristiano Ronaldo making his Manchester United debut against Bolton back in 2003, where he showed us a boatload of soccer tricks which then went on to be copied by thousands of kids around the world. Would it be even better in Spain this time round? Well, time will tell.. but for now we'd love to get YOUR comments if Ronaldo's bag of tricks would dazzle La Liga's defenders or end up being rather average... thats all then, cheers for now.

By: A. Faisael

5 Tips for Beginners in Freestyle Soccer

I've come up with a list of 5 tips for beginners that should get you started:

1. Proper gear and equipment
2. Warming-Ups
3. Juggle the ball
4. Plant the ball
5. The soccer trick - The ATW

Those are the 5s that I've come up with that should get the beginners start their freestyle. Do you have your own version of 5 tips for freestyle soccer newbie? Feel free to leave a comment...

Read more: http://tiny.cc/5tips

By: S. Heikal

The Toe Flick-up (a.k.a Ronaldinho Flick)

The Toe Flick-up (a.k.a Ronaldinho Flick)

This is a pretty neat soccer trick made popular by Ronaldinho a couple of years back, especially in the nike joga bonito ad series. Basically it is one that can be used to get the soccer ball off the ground in a more creative manner rather than the old 'pull-back and flick-up'. This trick can be done by most beginners with some practice.

Here's a step by step guide on how to perform the toe flick followed by a short video:

step 1: For starters, place the soccer ball between both feet, slightly to the front of of the foot.

step 2: Move the soccer ball swiftly with the front sole (bottom of your foot) towards the standing foot.

step 3: As the soccer ball makes contact with your standing foot, flick the ball up with the standing foot using a tiny amount of movement ( this takes practice to perfect).

step 4: Practice as much as you can, soon it'll be pretty easy and once you can flick it up as high as your waist, then perhaps, you can add on a juggling soccer trick.

Tip: Move your standing foot in a manner that would be 'just enough' for the ball to 'jump' off it. Try to keep your balance, and continue juggling with your kicking foot once the ball is up.

Here is a video we made as a guide. Cheers.




By: A. Faisael

Could there be an Ideology in Soccer ?

Today, I'll be explaining a topic that's different from freestyle soccer but somewhat related. What I mean by related is that the ideologies in certain continents may give you a clue of where freestyle soccer came from.

Ideologies build up soccer culture and how the teams approach their soccer. It's a belief that's been embedded to the soccer players for years and years and what makes them in today's world.

In this article, you'll discover the truth behind the major continents in soccer like Europe and South America and how they became so successful in major tournaments for decades. You'll also discover the rising suns in the world of soccer and other hot issues related to ideologies in soccer.

You can read this comprehensive article right here: http://tiny.cc/ideologies

Enjoy reading and don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter for more tips on freestyle soccer.

By: S. Heikal

Half ATW

Half ATW

The half-ATW is the half version of the ATW ( Around the World). But what's the difference between half-ATW and full ATW? To put it simply, the full ATW can be done using one foot whereas the half ATW is done by using two feet. Confused ? Basically you're doing the same technique but just that after completing rotation with the ball, you kick it up with another. Here are some steps to get you started:

Step One
The simplest way to begin by balancing the ball on your foot ( foot stall )

Step Two
Lift it slightly and rotate it, as you rotate make sure the other foot is ready to receive the ball.

Step Three
Complete the rotation with one foot and kick or plant with the other.

Tip: Lift the ball slightly higher so that you have time for your other foot to kick the ball

It's a hard soccer trick at first because you're using both feet. But as you practice, it becomes easier. Happy freestyling!

5 Facts that could change the World of Freestyle

5 Facts that could change the World of Freestyle

It's been almost 9 years since freestyle soccer grown into mouth-watering and simply addictive sports. The unapproved sport by FIFA is what concerns me about freestyle soccer. Whereas other sports like soccer, futsal and beach soccer grown into being an official sports. In fact, the game of futsal grown for the last 10 years and the first futsal match that I've watched was the final between Spain and Brazil where the Spaniards came out on top with the score of 4-3. Since then I thought those guys on the court were purely breathtaking displaying silky and showboating some soccer tricks especially Falcao from Brazil. Futsal have grown over the last 13 years since 1996 and in fact most people play soccer in the evening. What most people call it as five-aside football or in our case just futsal.

Futsal is just an instrument to show you how the sport raised for that 13 years or so. So I began pondering, what or where would freestyle soccer be in the next 10 years time. I've browse through the forum in ExpertFootball and saw about 8 replies to the topic. But then I've decided to write an article about it, laying out my very own opinion on freestyle soccer in 10 years time. It took 2 solid hours to complete but it was well worth it. Anyway, the title is called "5 Cold Facts that could change Freestyle Soccer in 10 years time"

You can read it here: http://tiny.cc/5_facts _

Enjoy reading as I'm still working on half-ATW and hopefully it'll be posted in as early as Tuesday.

P.S For more tips on freestyle soccer subscribe to my newsletter.

Are you Confused in Freestyle ?

Are you Confused in Freestyle ?

Picture this, you've seen a lot of freestyle videos and wondering how they do the tricks. So you eager to practice some freestyle but you're not sure where to begin. This is the common problem among beginners in freestyle soccer because I believed that it's important to brush up your basic skills before doing the ever-complicated tricks.

This mini-guide aims to guide freestylers whether you're a beginner or ordinary or maybe an expert to improve on their abilities and learning the right way of freestyle. Thankfully, I've managed to produce this very guide which hopefully will help your freestyle and most importantly increase your freestyle to another level.

Read on this page for more information,

http://11daystofreestylesoccer.com/recommend

P.S. Let me know if there's any questions or problems. Happy freestyling!

Website Coming Soon..

Website Coming Soon..

It's been a while since the last post. Both of us have been busy on building our new blog. For the last couple of months, I've been busy conducting a project about freestyle soccer for which I hope it'll be worthwhile. This product is dedicated to the beginners and maybe veterans on learning and improving their freestyle to another level.

The launch of this product is expected to be as early as next week as I've been working like hell on the scripts and website. I shall update this post as soon as the product is launched. So watch this space!

In the meantime, I've a short documentary about Billy Wingrove showcasing one of the knee flap. Basically you just:

1. Balance the ball on your foot ( Footstall )

2. Flick the ball slightly and knee the ball on to the ground to make it a knee flap.

P.S. Enjoy the video!

Supreme Freestyler

Supreme Freestyler






It has been a long while since my last post. I've been busy with other committments and hopefully this post will make it worthwhile. This is a video I found from Youtube featuring Soufiane Touzani showcasing his freestyle skills along with ground moves in a 5 aside street soccer. After watching this video, I'm starting to think that you can use most of your freestyle ground tricks on 5 aside matches than playing on the soccer field. The most obvious reason I can think of is because you have the luxury of time and space in soccer but not in 5 aside. That's why I believe that playing 5 aside matches demand your freestyle ground and air soccer skills.

Here's the video, the following are the chronology of time for each soccer trick that Touzani performs:

Time Soccer Trick
1:12 AKKA
1:15 Rai Flick Read more
1:29 ATW Read more
1:30 Crossover

X-over

x-over

X-over is very similar to crossover but the difference is the fact that you don't have to swing your leg over the ball. The soccer trick looks simple at first but difficult once you start to practice. The reason why because this trick challenges your balancing and coordination skills. If you can cope with these two then you have a chance to master this technique relatively ease. Your mind needs to focus on 2 things: 1. cross your standing foot 2. kick it with your stronger foot

Step 1 It's best to start from throwing the ball at your standing or weaker foot.

Step 2 As the ball begins to fall, cross your standing or weaker foot by lifting it over your stronger foot.

Step 3 Then kick the ball with your stronger foot and make sure you get the right contact on the ball i.e center of the ball


Repeat the above steps until you've become familiar with it. Once you've mastered this, you can start do the x-over while juggling the soccer ball.

P.S I shall post the video some time.

MATW

MATW

The Mitchy Around the World or more commonly use as an acronym of MATW is a more advanced technique of ATW and combined 2 soccer tricks; the ATW and the crossover. The MATW usually starts of with the inside ATW and followed by the crossover to complete a soccer trick. In short, the MATW is the combination ( combo ) of both the ATW and the crossover.

There are 2 basic soccer tricks that you'll need to master to complete the MATW combo. First, practice your ATW and then the crossover and finally do the 2 soccer tricks in a combo manner.

The Around the World ( ATW )

Step 1
Place the ball on your stronger foot like a foot stall.

Step 2
As you lift the ball, slightly rotate your foot diagonally and form a 360 turn over the ball to complete the ATW. I strongly emphasis that you lift your foot slightly diagonal instead of straight because to perform ATW, you'll need to be a bit quick to complete the rotation.

The Crossover

Step 1
You can start either by throwing the ball upwards or kick the ball upwards.

Step 2
As the ball falls, do a crossover, normally with your weaker foot by rotate your foot over the ball just like the ATW only you have to wait until the ball comes down.

The MATW

You can start by doing the ATW first and as you complete the ATW immediately raise your weaker foot to perform the crossover and to complete the MATW combo of soccer trick.

Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year!!

Happy new year to all of you who visit freestyle soccer tricks blog and also to loyal subscribers to this blog. Hopefully we can make this blog better and thanks for all of your current feedbacks. Here's a freestyle clip from Tatsulow, enjoy !

TATW

TATW

Another soccer trick that is similar to the MATW but more advanced than the ATW, the Touzani Around the World or more commonly know as the TATW invented by the freestyle soccer player himself, Soufiane Touzani. The TATW soccer trick combines both the outside ATW and the crossover, similar to the MATW but different in doing the ATWs. To practice the TATW soccer trick, you'll need to master both the outside ATW and the crossover.

The ATW

Step 1
Place the ball on your foot, like foot stall.

Step 2
Lift your foot in an anti-clockwise mode over the ball and to complete the outside ATW.

The Crossover

Step 1
You can start by throwing the ball upwards or kicking the ball upwards, either way.

Step 2
Wait until the ball drops and do the crossover by rotating your weaker foot over the ball, like the ATW, and complete the rotation to perform a crossover. The crossover is normally done by rotating your foot clockwise.

The TATW
Similar to the MATW, start by doing the outside ATW and as you complete the ATW immediately lift your weaker foot to perform the crossover to complete the TATW combo soccer tricks.

ATW

ATW (a.k.a Around The World)


Known to most simply as the 'ATW' or 'Around the World', this freestyle soccer trick gets its name because the tricks looks as if your feet (in most cases) rotates around (vertically, or even horizontally at times) around the ball (a.k.a the world) hence the term "Around The World".
One of the most renowned and popular freestyle soccer trick in today's world of soccer, as i recall, it was back in the year 2002 when I saw this very soccer trick in the Nike Stickman advert featuring Ronaldinho. In fact, I noticed that the ATW soccer trick can be done in both directions; clockwise ( inside ) or anti-clockwise ( outside ). In this article, I'll show different levels you need to practice which hopefully will improve your ATW soccer trick. You can start learning and practicing the ATW soccer trick using your stronger foot to build confidence.

Beginner's Level

1. Place a soccer ball on your foot like when you're foot stalling. ( Before starting, practice the ATW motion a few times, try doing the ATW motion with an imaginary ball)

2. As you balance the ball on your foot, lift it slightly. (You can also give it a slight flick - let it come off the top of your foot)

3. Rotate your foot ( inside or outside ) whilst lifting the soccer ball. (Try Starting clockwise first)

4. Complete the 360 degree rotation with a foot stall or simple kick-up. ( Your aim here is to rotate your foot around the ball once and stall it or kick it up before the ball hits the ground - the main thing is not to allow it to touch the ground)

Intermediate Level

This is a more practical version i.e. when juggling with the soccer ball:

1. Let the soccer ball bounce on the floor.

2. As the ball bounces, immediately perform the ATW soccer trick ( refer Beginner's Level ).

3. The situation is slightly different from the previous level. Touch the ball slightly with the outside edge of your toes. Then lift the ball whilst doing the ATW at the same time. ( You could also try to give the ball a slight spin as it leaves your foot by giving it a little slice as it touches the outside edge of your toes - this will reduce the time it takes for your foot to rotate around the ball)

4. Complete your 360 degree rotation with a foot stall or a kick-up.

As you've become familiar with the soccer trick, you can now start practicing juggling a soccer ball along with the ATW soccer trick. Hope that helps, stay tuned for more tips on the advanced ATW soccer trick.

Rai Flick

Rai Flick

One of the most famous soccer trick move popularised by Rai the Brazilian player. The soccer trick looks extremely simple yet difficult to execute. I normally do this trick when juggling a soccer ball but can also be used during 'real' football matches and futsal.

Rai flick is simply the ability to flick a soccer ball using both feet over a soccer player. There are 2 ways of doing this; either flick from sideways ( the most common ) or flick from behind.

Beginner's Level

1. Put the ball in between your feet and clip. Try to gain as maximum grip as possible. The ball should ideally be clipped at the heel area.

2. Once you've feel comfortable, flick it up by swinging both legs spontaneously. At this stage, it doesn't matter whether you can flick it over or not. As long as you can flick the ball up.

3. Catch it and repeat the same steps.

Intermediate Level

1. As in the previous step, clip the ball in between your legs until you feel comfortable.

2. Lean slightly forward while simultaneously flick the ball.

Tip: By leaning forward, you'll increase the chance of the soccer ball going over your shoulder

3. Once done successfully, catch the soccer ball and repeat the same steps again.

Advanced Level

1. Find a soccer partner or an obstacle ( e.g chair ).

2. Start by dribbling the ball forward at a walking pace.

3. Once you approach an obstacle or friend, do the Rai flick over it.

Tip: It's a difficult situation when you're running with the soccer ball. My advise is to focus on the ball getting a much grip as possible in order to execute the soccer trick successfully.

4. Once you've flick it over, control the ball and repeat the same steps.

The advanced level is the trickier part and one of the common 'pitfall' in performing Rai soccer flick. Hope that helps!

Watch it here!

Basic Soccer Flick

Basic Soccer Flick

Basic soccer flick is the ability to flick or lift the ball using your foot. It is normally seen as the starting point of juggling.

1. Pull back the ball using the sole of your foot. ( about 1/3 of your sole )

2. As the ball approaches your foot ( near your toe area )

3. Flick it up

Soccer flick is one the most fundamental techniques before juggling that a soccer player can learn.

One of the tricks you can apply is flicking from a foot stall. You can do this by:

1. Start from foot stall.

2. Let the ball roll gradually on your foot towards the toe.

3. As it touches the toe area, flick it up.

This soccer trick is slightly advance from the previous steps. Hope that helps!

The Rabona a.k.a "crossed-kick"

The Rabona a.k.a "crossed-kick"

Call it rabona or crossed kick, this is one soccer trick that can look very impressive when done right. Recently, i came across news on the net that a 19 year old Peruvian playing for IFK Gothenburg in Sweden scored a goal using this soccer trick. More impressive is the fact that it was his first league goal and done while under pressure from a defender at the edge of the penalty box. In 2005, Dave De Jong scored using a similar trick when playing for German side Osnabruck, although it was less spectacular. Some say it was fluke and some say it was pure genius, all in all this has pushed me to write an article about the trick itself and how to do it, while practicing it myself.




The trick was first "invented" by Giovanni Roccotelli who played for Italian club side Ascoli in the 1970's. During the early days, it was just known as the "crossed-kick". Only recently has been referred to as the "Rabona" which is actually a tango dance move which looks similar when performed. Lately players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Joe Cole, Ricardo Quaresma & Roberto Baggio are known to have executed the trick successfully during a match.

(picture showing Giovanni Roccotelli doing a rabona; picture from football.guardian.co.uk)

(Video showing Andres Vasquez scoring an amazing goal using the 'rabona' ; video from youtube)
The Rabona can be executed by a player when passing, crossing or shooting during a game. But in my opinion, I do think that it is easiest to perform this trick when taking a shot as you wouldn't have to be too accurate. It can also be done by a left footed player who wants to cross from the right side to the left/center without having to stop and turn inside to use his left foot. The same scenario applies for a right footed player who is on the left wing.

This trick is performed by moving the kicking foot behind the standing/supporting foot. When done correctly, the players legs would crossed one behind another when he hits the ball. There a few variations of this, which all depends on the objective of the player, whether he is shooting, passing or crossing the ball. Well, this wraps my introduction for this audacious soccer trick. I will be doing a step by step guide with pictures on how to pull off this trick in the next article. Do check out the pictures and videos for now. In the next post i will try my best to do a step by step guide on how to do ( or improve) a rabona.

Picture showing Diego Maradona attempting a rabona, while playing for Newell's Old Boys ( picture from vivadiego.com)

Neck Stall

Neck Stall

In my opinion, neck stall is one of easiest soccer trick. It's hard at first but once you get the hang of it, it'll be a snap.

Neck stall can be done by placing a soccer ball on your neck and balance it for as long as you can.

Beginner's Level

1. Place the ball on an even surface of your neck. Find a spot where you feel the most comfortable at. Then balance it for as long as you can.

2. Flick it up by letting the soccer ball roll down on the back of your head for about 3/4. Then flick it up and catch the ball.

3. Repeat the same steps again.






Intermediate Level

1. Throw the soccer ball at a reasonable height.

2. Catch the ball by letting it stall on your neck. A good timing and execution should improve this.

3. Once you've neck stalled it, flick it up and catch the ball.


Advanced Level

1. You can start by doing a foot stall.

2. Flick it up at head height.

3. Catch by doing the neck stall.

Tip: Your body needs to bend in 90 degrees to achieve a balance on your neck

4. Flick it up with your head and catch the ball.

5. Repeat the same steps again.

For the advanced level, my suggestion is to start from foot stall because it's the easiest and the most obvious freestyle soccer trick combination. There are other types of combination you can compile on like head to neck stall.

So there are 3 levels to improve your neck stall. It does takes time and with practice and persistent, you should be able to do it with ease. Hope that helps!

Headstall

Headstall

Here are some tips to improve your headstall soccer skill:

1. Place the ball on the tip of your head ( near hairline)

2. Balance it for as long as possible until you find the right spot and feel comfortable with

3. Once familiar, throw the ball towards your head and balance it.
Tip: throw the ball at exact height

The key to this exercise is to stay as relaxed as possible when balancing the ball. At the same time, focus on the ball ( about semi circle).