Top 10 Football Skills That You Should Learn to Dominate on the Field

What comes to your mind when you hear the name Neymar? Or Ronaldinho. How about Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, or even Jay Jay Okocha?

Well, if you are a footballer or a good follower of the sport, you’ll know these are some of the most skilled players the game has ever seen. Notably, their skills have proven a great deal in improving how they played football, helping them win matches, trophies, and many individual awards.

So, while the general opinion of team effort is considered, games are sometimes won by individual brilliance, where skill and precision decide the game. This makes skill training a necessary add-on that can improve your performance and make you stand out on the field.

This article explores the top 10 football skills to learn as a player that will help you dominate your opponents during games. Let’s dive in.

10 Basic Skills Every Pro Footballer Should Learn

In no particular order, here’s a list you can add to your next training session:

The Step Over
The Drag Back
The Roulette
The Elastico
The Cruyff Turn
The Rabona
The Knuckleball Free Kick
The Chip Shot
The Rainbow Flick
The First Touch

Of course, these are not every skill in the book of basic skills, but they come highly recommended as fan favorites. Now, let’s filter and discuss five of these skills used by legends you know.

1. The Step Over

If not the best, the step-over move is among the top 10 best football skills for deceiving defenders. The skill was first used in the 1940s by popular Dutchman Law Adam before other footballers started emulating it. Adam used the skill so well he was called by fans, Adam the Scissorsman.

Now adopted by a lot of soccer players worldwide, the skill is easy to learn, and if performed well, you can confuse defenders, creating space for a pass or shot. In theory, a player needs to quickly move their foot around the ball in a circular motion, like you are stepping over it.

Then, by shifting your weight in one direction, you can push the ball in the other. However, timing is important for this skill to work and it requires practice for smooth execution.

2. The Drag Back

This technique is a simple yet effective one that allows you to change your direction in a flash. Although the origin of the skill is uncertain, it remains one of the top 10 football skills, especially in five-a-side games.

It is perfect for keeping hold of the ball in tight spaces, and if done accurately, you could work wonders in any playing role. However, the drag back is predictable when a player overuses it due to its simplicity.

To perform it, use the sole of your foot to drag the ball back, then simultaneously, turn your body in a direction of choice. Easy peasy.

3. The Roulette

Known by most enthusiasts as the Maradona turn, after Argentine legend Diego Maradona, the roulette is essential for all midfield players. The skill is also the signature move of Zinedine Zidane and involves spinning with the ball while protecting it from opponents.

It is useful in cases where you need to maintain possession under opposition pressure but is difficult to perform at high speed. It also requires a player to have good footwork and body balance. However, its reputation as one of the top 10 skills football players should have cannot be disregarded. So, get to work.

4. The Elastico

The Elastico became every fan favorite after it was repeatedly performed by Brazilian star Ronaldinho and is now among the top 10 best dribbling skills in football.

For a successful execution, the move involves using the outside of your foot to flick a ball outward. Then quickly flicking it back in with the inside of the same foot. This leaves your opponent flat-footed and adds flair to your performance.

Some defenders may catch onto the ball though if you time the move wrongly or lose coordination. So, stay on your toes in case it backfires.

5. The Cruyff Turn

The 1974 World Cup saw the birth of one of the top 10 football skills in the world. It was performed by Johan Cruyff, hence its name, the Cruyff turn.

Due to its help in creating spaces and changing the form of attack, top midfielders like Iniesta and Modric have perfected the act in plays. The skill requires quick decision-making and involves simple moves.

First, pretend to pass the ball or take a shot. Then, you drag the ball behind your standing leg and change your direction. Your opponents definitely won’t see this coming at first, but try not to repeat or you’ll risk predictability.

How to Use These Skills Effectively

Mastering any of the skills discussed above will take lots of time, dedication, and practice. However, for better success rates, take these four steps seriously.

Practice drills repeatedly during training sessions
Try to introduce your skills to real-life game scenarios
Watch videos of professionals to understand when to use your skills
Improve your football knowledge and learn how to read your opponents

Most footballers do not take this last point seriously, but it is very important to know the game itself, its history, and the technicalities behind it. Hard to say, but talent is not everything, and neither are skills.

Betting on Football: Insights from 1Win

Mastering football skills lead to goals and assists and this is why fans love skillful players. Apart from the thrills of skills, football fans can also enjoy real money rewards from their passion in football by betting on the matches. You will need to register for an account, fund your betting account, and place bets on the teams you believe will win.

Platforms like 1Win offer fans the opportunity to do so confidently and safely. The bookmaker offers several betting options and markets. Since many punters like to bet using their phones now, the bookie offers a tailored app that you can access using the apk 1Win file.

The Bottom Line: Practice Makes Perfection

Loving the game of football and wanting to play is just the beginning for any football enthusiast. Learning the game and its technicalities is another step. So, to truly take charge, you must be ready to practice your skills regularly, learn, implement, and continue improving.

Remember, every great footballer started somewhere, and with commitment, you can achieve greatness too. Also, it is worth noting that improving your skills requires exploring the history of football to understand how the game started and discover the best players and their journeys. So, be ready to learn both on and off the field.