The Ronaldo feint, named after the soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo who made it famous, is a simple move you can use to dribble past opponents. This feint allows you to change direction quickly, tricking the defender and creating the space needed to attack.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Performing the Feint
Step 1. Jump over the ball
You don't have to take a big jump, but rather a small approach jump to get your feet in the correct position for the feint.
- This feint should be done while running, so you may need to slow down a little before jumping so you don't stray too far from the ball. Don't take too long to slow down, maybe just a step or two, or the defender will understand your intentions.
- If you jump too high, the defender will take advantage of the situation and take the ball away from you.
Step 2. Land correctly
You will perform two different movements with your feet, so you have to position them in the right way. Make sure you decide which foot you will feint with, usually the dominant one, before attempting it.
- Bring your non-dominant foot in front of the ball. Make sure it's between the sphere and the defender, so you can protect it and prevent it from being stolen.
- Bring your dominant foot to one side, at 45 degrees to your running direction. You will use it to hit the ball. If it were facing forward, you would move the ball to the side and that's not your goal. Your goal is to keep moving towards the door.
- Once you have mastered the feint with the dominant foot, you can try it with the other leg. This gives you more options when on the pitch and makes you more unpredictable.
Step 3. Hit the ball with the inside of your dominant foot
It should go behind the other leg. To perform the feint with the right speed, you should perform this movement the moment you land. The sphere will be pushed forward, but with a different trajectory than the one you had previously.
- Touch the ball gently, without pushing it. You just have to change its direction, not send it to another part of the field.
- With practice, you should become more adept at aiming the ball. This will help you figure out how to move your body after the feint.
- With training, you can begin to change the angle of the foot to change the ball's trajectory more. This is especially useful if you notice an open field in defense.
Step 4. Shoot after the feint
At the end of the movement, when you start in a different direction, the defender will be confused and will take a few seconds to recover. Don't waste time and start running as fast as you can on the new trajectory to create space and think about your next move.
Part 2 of 2: Learning When to Feint
Step 1. Advance in dribbling
This feint allows you to change direction quickly and is only effective if you are already running to one side. If you did it standing still, you wouldn't have the element of surprise on your side.
Step 2. Attack
You shouldn't attempt this feint in the defensive half. You have to face a defender who is running backwards or at least trying to stop you. This will make it easier for him to lose his balance.
Step 3. Perform the feint when you are in wing position
This is a very used movement by the wings, because they often find themselves isolated in one-on-one with a defender and have room to dribble past him. The center of the field is much busier and you may end up handing the ball to another opponent after dribbling the first one.
Step 4. Make sure the defender is moving
This feint is effective because it is very fast. An opponent running towards you will not be able to change his inertia and therefore will proceed in the wrong direction. If it were standing still, it could follow your movements more quickly.
Advice
- Once you have mastered the running feint, ask a friend to act as a defender. Try the move against him and try to overcome it.
- Even if it is a feint to perform on the go, start practicing it from a standstill. This way, by the time you attempt it while running, your legs will already be used to the movement.
- Make sure the ball is moving towards the opponent's goal before performing the feint. If you touch it too far to the side, check the position of the dominant foot, so that it has the right angle.
