Freestyle Soccer
Brush up on your freestyle skills with Steve Elias and Tosaint Ricketts
Canadian World Football Freestyle Champion Steve Elias, aka Eli Freeze, linked up with Tosaint Ricketts this summer to teach him a few freestyle soccer skills.
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Steve Elias was on a mission this summer to uncover how street style soccer can transcend borders, and that mission took him to Brazil for the Neymar Jr's Five global finals. But before he packed his bags, Elias linked up with Toronto FC's Tosaint Ricketts to teach him four basic tricks: the shoulder roll, the knee grab, the cross over and the knee grab combo.
Think you've got what it takes to hang in the world of freestyle? Take a stab at the tricks below.
The Shoulder Roll
1 min
Steve Elias teaches the shoulder roll
Interested in trying yourself? here are some tips to follow along:
- While juggling the ball, kick it up slightly above shoulder height.
- Keeping your eyes on the ball, step into the ball while turning your shoulder towards it.
- Position your body so the ball will roll off the back part of your shoulder.
- Step out and turn your body allowing the ball to roll off your other shoulder.
- Remember to slightly bend your knees to help cushion the ball. Look for the ball once it rolls off your other shoulder.
- Maintain control and continue to juggle the ball.
Advanced tip:
- If possible, put a slight spin on the ball so it’s spinning towards you
Knee Grab
2 min
Steve Elias teaches the knee grab
Ready to give it a whirl? Here's what you need to remember:
- Kick the ball in front of you around waist height
- Keep feet shoulder width apart
- Keep your eye on the ball
- Step towards the ball when it begins to drop
- Bend your knees at a 45 degree angle
- Open then close your legs squeezing the ball in between your knees
Cross Over
1 min
Steve Elias teaches the cross over to Tosaint Ricketts
You're up. Try the cross over with these tips:
- Kick the ball in front of you around waist height
- Keep your eye on the ball
- Step towards the ball when it begins to drop
- Hop on your standing leg
- Swing your opposite leg over top the ball
- make contact with the ball using your hopping leg
- Regain balance and continue to juggle
Knee Grab Combo
1 min
Steve Elias teaches the knee grab combo
Ready for the cross over? Follow the below tips:
- Keep the ball squeezed against your standing leg
- point your toe down when transitioning into the hamstring
- use your heel to squeeze the ball against your hamstring
- sit back slightly on the ball but most of your weight is on the leg without the ball
- bend toes up so your resting on the ball part of your foot
- Spin towards the leg without the ball
- keep the ball squeezed against hamstring when standing up
- let the ball drop into your ankles naturally
Be sure to follow along via @Elifreeze for more freestyle soccer tips and trick.
In its first year, Neymar Jr’s Five saw over 65,000 players take part from 47 countries. In 2017 it was 100,000 in 53 countries. But now, in 2018, the tournament's bigger and better than ever. More than 60 countries, spread over six continents have taken part, all of which will send a men's and women's team to the World Final being held at the Instituto Neymar Jr in Praia Grande, just outside Naymar Jr's home city of Santos, Brazil.
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