When running towards goal, defenders will run at you. If a passing opportunity doesn’t present itself, continuing to dribble is the best option. To prevent the ball from getting stolen from you, doing skills while running is a great way to keep the ball from defenders and continue running to goal. That’s why we’ve provided a list of the best running skills you can do.
In and Out
Fake rolling the ball and push it back to where it came from!
The in and out skill is an easy, reliable skill that will help you beat defenders using deceptiveness and body fakes.
Instructions:
- Prepare the ball and your feet to perform a rollover
- Roll the ball as you would normally, but before you roll the ball to the other foot, push out with the same foot
- Accelerate into the space to gain the advantage
Roll Over
Roll the Ball to your other foot in order to change direction!
The roll over can be used as a simple skill to change direction and beat defenders.
Instructions:
- Prepare whatever foot you want to use for the skill
- When you come close to the player, roll quickly from one foot to the other
- Make sure the ball comes as close to a straight line as possible, a 45-degree angle could get the ball stolen
- Execute this quickly and accelerate into space after
Stop and Go
Fake stopping to gain the advantage!
The stop and go skill is an effective skill to use to trick a defender that is faster than you. By faking stopping, you’ll surely get the defender to slow down too.
Instructions:
- When you are traveling down the field with a defender running next to you, start by putting the ball on the foot that is opposite of the side where the defender is
- Begin by slowing down
- Then, fake that you are going to stop and then roll the ball forward and accelerate when the defender slows down.
Roll, Stepover
Roll the ball to your other foot but add a stepover in between!
The roll stepover skill is a great alternative of the standard roll over. Instead of just rolling the ball across your body, roll the ball across and stepover it!
Instructions:
- Prepare the ball to the side.
- With your foot, roll the ball to the other foot.
- Make sure the ball is being rolled at a 45-degree angle.
- On your next stride, stepover the ball.
- For example, roll with the right, then step over the ball with your left foot.
- Make sure this is as fluid as possible.
- Accelerate into space.
Stepover
Fake passing in one direction only to move the opposite way!
The stepover is a great skill to fake a movement. Acting like you’ll pass or shoot will make the defender hesitate just a bit so you can get past.
Instructions:
- When you are slowed down or even standing still, place the ball in a central position close to your feet
- Use one foot to cross over the front of the ball
- Lean-to the side where your foot stepped over the ball to be more deceptive
- Then, use that same foot to touch the ball out around the defender
Fake Shot Drag Behind
Fake a shot or pass only to tap the ball behind your leg and accelerate in the other direction!
Just like the name sounds, this skill allows you to fake a shot (or pass) and then change direction. The catch, you drag the ball behind your standing foot to create an “L.” This makes it impossible for the defender to get the ball or else they’ll tackle through you, resulting in a foul.
Instructions:
- Set the ball to the outside of your body.
- Swing your foot like you are shooting.
- Stop at the ball and pull it behind your leg. Making an “L” shape.
- Turn towards the ball and accelerate into space.
Fake Shot, Scissor
Fake the shot and tap the ball behind your foot, but add a scissor at the end!
This skill is exactly like the fake shot drag behind skill, however, add a scissor at the end to give extra confusion to the defender!
Instructions:
- Set the ball to the outside of your body.
- Swing your foot like you are shooting.
- Stop at the ball and pull it behind your leg. Making an “L” shape.
- Once you turn towards the ball, do a scissor with the opposite foot you did the fake shot behind the skill.
- To do the scissor, use your foot to swing in front of the ball.
- Push out with the other foot.
- Accelerate into space.
Fake Shot, Stepover
Fake the shot and tap the ball behind your foot, but add a stepover at the end!
This skill is exactly like the fake shot drag behind skill, however, add a stepover at the end to give the defender extra confusion!
Instructions:
- Set the ball to the outside of your body.
- Swing your foot like you are shooting.
- Stop at the ball and pull it behind your leg. Making an “L” shape.
- Once you turn towards the ball, do a stepover with the same foot you did the fake shot behind the skill.
- To do the stepover, use your foot to swing around the ball. The inside of your foot should be facing the ball when you do this.
- Push the ball out with the same foot.
- Accelerate away into space.
Back and Forth Between Feet
Keep the defender still then suddenly get past them!
This skills is great for keeping a defender still for just the right amount of time to surprise them with a sudden, burst of speed around them.
Instructions:
- When you are standing still, pass the ball between your feet quickly.
- Cut the ball behind one foot.
- Accelerate into space.
Scissors
Fake going one direction only to go the other!
The scissor skill is an amazing skill to use on the run as you fake going different directions then suddenly attack one way.
Instructions:
- When you are running move your foot behind the ball and then over in front of the ball.
- Lean into the scissor to fake the defender.
- Use the defender’s balance against them and go the opposite way they are expecting you to.
- Accelerate to gain the advantage.
Ronnie Chop
Tap the ball behind your back foot to accelerate into space!
The Ronnie chop is a great skill, named after Ronaldo himself, to quickly change direction and get past a defender.
Instructions:
- Dribble towards the defender.
- Put the ball on the foot you want to skill with.
- With the other foot, widen your step on the next stride.
- Chop the ball behind your leg.
- Take the ball with the leg that it went under and accelerate into space.
Scissor, Stepover
Fake going one direction, act like you are going the opposite way, then cut back again!
The scissor stepover is an effective way to combine two great skills into one. Fake going one direction to go the other and finally fake a pass and continue running to the original direction!
Instructions:
- When you are running, move your foot behind the ball over then over in front of the ball.
- Lean into the scissor to fake the defender
- Then, take the same foot and perform a stepover around the ball.
- Do this by crossing your foot over the ball.
- Then, touching it out with the same foot.