Skills / Turning

The Cruyff turn

Shape to pass or cross, then drag the ball behind your standing leg instead and turn away.

L R 20 cm
  • Foot on the ball
  • Ball's path

From about age 8

When to use it

Near the touchline or the edge of the area, when a defender is ready to block your cross or shot.

Get it right

  • Sell it: shape your body exactly as if you're about to pass or cross.
  • Plant your standing foot beside the ball.
  • Bring your kicking foot round in front of the ball instead of through it.
  • With the inside of that foot, push the ball back behind your standing leg.
  • Turn over the shoulder of your standing foot and go.

Watch out for

  • Not selling the fake, so the defender doesn't move.
  • Pushing the ball too far behind you.

Drawn for the right foot. Learn it on your weaker foot too: it doubles the number of ways you can go.

More turning: The drag-back, The inside hook, The outside hook.

In a match

Practising a skill is half of it. Here is when it turns up in a game, and what to look for.

Where
Near the touchline or the edge of the box.
The moment
A defender is ready to block the cross or shot you are shaping to play.
Match mistake
Doing it when nobody is blocking you. Shape to cross first, so the defender bites.

Try it in your next match. Fake a cross, Cruyff turn, and play the ball inside to a teammate.

Match moments where it counts: We have just won it · Make a chance from the wing

Practise it

Drills where you will use this skill again and again.