One of the most used but effective feints in football is the double step. Used in matches between friends, as well as in the World Cup, this fluid movement uses the outside of the foot to fake a sprint in one direction before moving towards the other. Plus, plenty of variations make feinting even more useful and deadly, especially against defenders who know it.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Perform a Double Step
Step 1. Get to know the whole feint before moving on to the individual parts
An effective double step is simple and fluid, moreover, it is much easier to understand the movement when you have an overview. If your favorite foot is your right, you have to bring it around the ball, pretending to touch it with the outside. However, instead of making contact, you will simply swing your leg in front of the ball, land on your right foot, then use your left outside to sprint to the defender's left.
- Go on the internet and watch the videos of the experts of this feint like Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo who are able to execute it perfectly at high speed.
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NOTE:
these steps describe a double step performed by a right kicker, where you bring your right leg over the ball, then sprint to the left. If you are left handed, just reverse the directions.
Step 2. Start with the ball about 12 inches in front of you, slightly to the right
If this is your first time feinting, practice with the ball moving or running very slowly. If you are running, touch the ball gently so it rolls forward as you approach. Make sure the ball is always close to you for the duration of the feint.
You can start practicing by standing still, but to be effective in a game you should learn to double step while on the move
Step 3. For the duration of the feint always remain on tiptoe
Never put all your weight on your heels. You must always be able to instantly shoot in any direction.
Step 4. Lower your glutes slightly and bring your weight onto your toes
Bend your knees and lean your body slightly forward at the waist. Keep your posture relaxed, even and ready to shoot.
Step 5. Bring your right foot around the ball clockwise
Keep your toe pointing down so that you can circle the ball more tightly. This way you will also defend it from the defender's attacks. If you are using your left foot, then feint counterclockwise.
Step 6. Sprint with your left foot as soon as you bring the other foot to the ground
After completing the loop around the ball, shift your weight onto your right foot. This serves to disorient the defender and allows you to push on that leg to sprint to the left.
Step 7. Bring your right foot to the ground 30 to 60 centimeters to the right of the ball
You need enough space to get your left foot around the ball and away from the defender. Make sure you land on your toe and not your heel so you can sprint quickly.
When you land, start bringing your left foot to the right side of the ball
Step 8. Use the outside of your left foot to push the ball to the left, bypassing the defender
Perform a diagonal and forward flick. To perfect the feint, try to minimize the time it takes to bring your right foot to the ground and lift it again. The faster you are, the more effective you will be.
You can touch the ball hard. You have to send it forward enough to get past the defender, but not to the point where you can't get it back before the other players
Step 9. Change step after touch to get past the defender
The change of pace is essential for any feint, including the double step. Use the touch with your left foot to initiate a sprint, bypassing the defender before he understands your intentions.
Method 2 of 2: Perfecting the Double Step
Step 1. Practice walking around the ball with both feet to increase the speed
Place the ball in front of you, get on your toes and try to go around it by alternating legs. Simply continue doing this part of the double step without moving the ball. Focus on speed and accuracy, spinning your feet quickly and always landing on your toes.
As you improve, add the final touch as well. Go around the ball, then touch it with the outside of your left foot to complete the feint. At that point, use the inside of the same foot to bring the ball back to the right. Continue by taking a double step with the left and continue alternating the two techniques
Step 2. Use your head and shoulders to make the feint more convincing
The best players perform feints with their whole body, not just their feet. A good way to do this is to use the upper body. If you are feinting to the right, turn your head and eyes in that direction, drawing the defender to that side. As you double step, lower your shoulder following the foot movement to the right to make the change of direction to the left even more unpredictable.
- Your hips determine your direction. Keep them facing the defender to be ready to sprint and agile.
- If you have to defend against a feint, always observe the attacker's hips. This helps you not to get fooled by the movements of the upper body.
Step 3. Perform the feint by moving as little as possible from the ball
By spinning very close to the ball, you will be able to do it faster. Keep your toes down and perform the first part of the feint quickly to reduce the time it takes to get past the defender. The faster you are, the more effective the movement will be.
Step 4. Practice performing the double step on the run
Once you have mastered the movement, start doing it by running at a faster speed. Keep the ball in front of you while dribbling, increasing your speed until you get to feint with the race pace. Notice how fast the ball must roll during the movement. He must have enough energy to continue forward as you circle his foot.
You can slow down slightly before the feint and this is often the right choice, because the change of pace you take will take the defender by surprise
Step 5. Use the feint effectively when a defender approaches you at a corner
You can double step at any time, but this move is especially good when an opponent approaches you diagonally. This means that its inertia naturally pushes it to one side, making your feint doubly amazing. Imagine the marker approaching you diagonally from the left side of the body:
- If the angle is quite acute, i.e. the defender is almost in front of you and not far to the side, feint to the right, then pass him to the left, catching him off guard.
- If, on the other hand, the angle is wide, that is, it is almost on the side, pretend to go to the left, then push the ball forward and to the right, so as to leave the opponent behind you.
Step 6. Use multiple feints in succession to perform a double double or triple pass
If you are very skilled, you don't have to limit yourself to just one feint. Watch Cristiano Ronaldo to learn how to perfectly execute a double multiple pass that can literally get defenders drunk. To do this, simply double step with your left after the first with your right, instead of touching the ball to bring it forward. At this point, you can move the ball with your right foot to advance, or take another double step.
This feint takes longer and usually the ball needs good forward inertia to stay under your body
Step 7. Add an extra touch to the left to master the advanced double step
In the traditional version of the feint, the ball doesn't move until you do it and the smartest defenders can figure it out and stop you. In an advanced double step, add an extra touch to the start of the feint to surprise the opponent:
- Use your right foot to touch the ball and bring it in front of your body, towards the left.
- Keep your right foot in the air after the touch.
- Immediately after contact, circle the ball with your right hand as you normally would. The ball should still move in front of the body.
- Land on your right foot as the ball reaches your left.
- Tap the ball hard with the left winger to get past the defender.
