Ground moves are way different than air moves.  Unlike most air freestyling, ground moves require much more style to be impressive.  They require smoothness and great execution to make them pleasing for the eyes.  Also, unlike most air combos, ground combos flow from trick to trick without much plan or much thought.  If you want to compare air tricks to a "circus performance", then we can compare ground tricks to a sort of a "dance".

 

It's difficult to categorize ground tricks from beginner, intermediate, and pro, because many people have very different styles in their grounds and the different tricks may be of a very different skill level to different freestylers.  Also sometimes true in the case of air moves, but in air moves it is much easier to categorize the moves into seperate difficulties.

 

Ground freestyle and street football, while very similar, have some crucial differences you need to understand.  One is that, ground freestyle is solo.  It is just for show.  All you need to do is make it look good.  In street football, you have at least two people.  Many times, you may play against several people at once.  Street football ground moves are used to BEAT the defending players, to make a fool of them, to humiliate them and NOT just for show.

 

So while some moves may be effective for both ground freestyle and street football, different techniques may be used.  And sometimes, there are moves that are only for ground freestyle, and perhaps not too smart to use for street football, and there are moves that are good for street football but wouldn't look good as ground freestyle moves.

 

Click on the names to view tricks

 

Elastico - Also called the "flip-flap", the "snake", etc.  Probably one of the most famous moves because of the frequent use of this move by Ronaldinho.  It was first invented by Rivelinho then many other players after him such as maradona, romario, ronaldo and others have also made quite the use of the trick and it was NOT invented by Ronaldinho as many tend to believe.

 

It's a very simple move.  Push outside with the outside of the foot, and snap back inside with the inside of the foot.  Practice the move by going about it very slowly to understand the movements, and then when you're confident, make it much quicker and make your movements much bigger.  In ground freestyle you want to have it snap right back to you to keep your combo going, and maybe you wouldn't use much other body movements.  But in street football, you need to "sell" the move and make the movement bigger, use more body movements, and snap the ball forward in the direction you are headed.

 

Reverse Elastico - Same as the elastico but in the different direction.  First going inside with the inside of the foot, and then snap outside with the outside of the foot.

 

One-Legged Elastico - Just as the name implies.  It is the elastico trick but done so while hopping on one leg.  Great balance is required.

 

Double Elastico/Triple Elastico/etc. - A series of Elasticos performed one directly after another as combos.

 

Hocus Pocus - There is no "official" name for this move, but this is the most popular one among most freestyle and football forum members.  When Wilhelmson pulled this move off the commentator called it "hocus pocus" or something along those lines, as if to say it was magic.  The name stuck.

 

It is a reverse elastico, behind and around your leg.  Balance is crucial for this.  The first few times you may not be able to snap it the way you're supposed to, or maybe you might fall over.  Go about it slowly if you're uncomfortable with the move, and then start going faster.

 

Roulette - Also known as the "maradona", the "360", the "zidane twirl", "zidane 360", "maradona 360", etc.  Garrincha invented the move, but it was a half turn and not a full 360 turn.  Maradona perfected the move and made it a full 360 turn.  In modern times, the younger fans might think of Zidane quicker than Maradona for this move though.  Not a ground freestyle move.  I would be surprised if a ground freestyler made this move look good, incorporating it into their combos.  This is a real game or street football move.

 

Very simple.  Even a baby could do this.  Put one foot on top of the ball.  As your turning, switch the ball to your other foot.  Complete the turn.  That simple.  It's probably best to get your back to face the defenders, to shield the ball as you turn.  Variations can be made using inside foot touches, outside foot touches, and backheels.

 

The Sleeper - Jermaine Vanenburg's trademark move.  Very commonly used by futsal players and street footballers.  The move is simply sliding the ball across and back.  The bottom of the foot never touches the ball.  Well, not much anyway.  It is done by sliding one way with the inside of the foot, and using the friction of the ball against the ground, you "half" touch it with the bottom of your foot to slide it back.

 

Akka - Although this move is done in the air, it is commonly used in street football so I'll just put this here.  It is simply an elastico performed in the air.  At first it will seem impossible, but with practice, performing this move will be like breathing.  Don't get frustrated.

 

Knee akka - While the ball is in the air, touch it outside with the knee and snap back with the foot.  As a freestyle move is is considered an air move, but also can be done in the streets to beat your defenders.  Risky, but if performed correctly the defender will be so humiliated he will go home and cry.

 

Double akka/Triple akka etc. - A series of akkas performed one directly after another as combos.

 

Issy Akka or Akka 3000 - The new akka recently pioneered and revealed by street football legend, Issy.  A very complex and difficult move to perform.  Read carefully.

 

First the ball is on the ground.  You flick the ball up slightly to the side.  With your opposite leg, you touch the ball with your backheel/calf while making a spin.  After you have completed the spin and is facing the opposite direction, looking at the ball, you snap inside with your foot.  Unless you're as good as Issy himself, don't try this trick in games.

 

Rainbow - Again, this move is considered an air move in freestyle but is also very commonly used in street football.  Grab the ball in between your feet.  Roll it up against your leg at the same time bringing that leg up to backheel the ball upwards.  Most commonly done to maneuver the ball over the heads of the defenders, but there are other ways the ball could travel.  Be creative!

 

Cruyff Turn - Just as the name implies, it was invented by Johan Cruyff.  The move is simply, hitting the ball behind your support leg as you make a turn in the opposite direction you were heading before.  In real 11v11 matches, players may prefer to use the inside of the foot or backheel to accomplish this maneuver but in street and freestyle, the bottom of the foot is a more popular option and is easier to control to keep the ball close to you.

 

Switchfoot - Just as the name implies.  It is simply quickly switching the ball from one foot to the other.  It might mean absolutely nothing as a ground freestyle move, or just a simple way to connect ground combos, but in street football and real games, if the timing is right, it can be a VERY effective move.

 

Daniel10 Akka - A move pioneered by a former member of the Masterclass-freestyle crew.  With the inside of the foot he slides the ball in a circular direction in front of him and then around his support leg to the other side.  The ball is now behind him and with the same foot he reaches behind him and performs an elastico.  Great for ground freestyle and for street football, if you know how to use the move.

 

Kevin's personal Akka - A move called "personal akka" in one of Kevin van Osselaer's videos.  Kevin was also a former member of the Masterclass-freestyle  crew.  With his non-kicking foot he steps over the ball from outside to inside.  With the forward motion of his body, his leg is trailing behind him as it kicks the ball forward.  And then the same foot comes back around and quickly snaps the ball in the opposite direction.

 

De Ruud - Daniel10 named the trick.  It's because Ruud Bos does it all the time lol.  The move is where you have the bottom of your foot on top of the ball and you move it left, right, up, down, in any random sequences to create fast movements.  It's similar to the sleeper, but with this move there is more control and more freedom of movement.  It's great to string together ground combos and a nice way to draw your opponents in, in street footy.

 

Falcao Dribble - A series of touches and stepovers repeated in succession which Falcao has done countless times in his futsal matches.  First you drag the ball with one foot from one side to the other.  The other foot goes over the ball outside to inside in a stepover motion and then drags the ball back to the original foot.  The move is repeated several times to confuse defenders.

 

Alternate Falcao Dribble - Same as Falcao dribble but in the original Falcao dribble, the foot you start with only drags the ball to the other foot to stepover with.  With this, both feet step over the ball as you continue to drag the ball from one side to the other.

 

Stepovers - Push the ball forward.  Simply, step over the ball in quick succession.  This is a maneuver that is VERY common amongst footballers all around the world and have been showcased MANY times by footballers such as Robinho, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ronaldo, etc. etc. etc.  One of the simplest and most commonly used moves.

 

Stepover-fake - A combination of moves.  A stepover with one foot, touch the ball with the inside of your other foot, and step over the ball with the original foot but in the opposite direction.

 

Backwards Stepovers - Drag the ball back.  With the ball behind your body, reach your leg back and step over the ball continuously.

 

Ball Stand - Quite simply, standing on the ball.  Looks pretty cool but that's about it.

 

Stretch - Pushing the ball out behind you.  Then, the top of your foot should stop the ball to be dragged back in front of you again.

 

Nico Spin - Watch the gif animation.

 

Fake Pass - Make it appear as if you are about to pass the ball off but instead roll your foot over the ball and touch it back to yourself.

 

Elastico Stretch - A combination of moves.  Perform an elastico then go into a stretch.

 

Behind back stretch - Continuously move the ball out behind you and drag it back with the top of your foot, while staring forward.  Since you cannot see the ball, you need a good touch on the ball as well as good balance and some luck to be able to execute the move smoothly, for a long time.

 

The Boukha Move - A move that is common among futsal players.  Mourad Boukhari made this move famous among the street football community.  It is simply a stepover and a reverse elastico, combined into one smooth motion.  Very effective if you "sell" the move by throwing your body into it.

 

Where's the ball? (Zoek de bal?) - A street football move.  Flick the ball up and catch it in your shirt.  Spin the ball around to the back of the shirt where, viewed from the front, it will look like the ball has disappeared LOL.

 

Look behind you - A street football move.  Move the ball out and behind the defending player.  As he turns around to see where the ball went, drag it back making him spin around like an idiot.

 

Edward Akka - A variation of akka pioneered by myself.  Flick the ball up, touch it in with your foot and snap out with your knee.  Originally performed with the ball going in in the inside to outside direction and being snapped back in the outside to inside direction, however, the reverse can be performed on the other side as well.

 

Henry backheel flick - This move must be split into two parts. First, brush the edge of the ball with your heel planting your foot in front it. This should cause the ball to flick up and rebound off the top of your heel. After waiting for the ball to rebound adequately, swing back with the same foot and strike it upward. If you execute the second movement too early, the ball will fly behind instead of over you head.