Episode 1- The 'Elastico'

The ‘elastico’ or ‘flip-flap’ is a really impressive-looking trick that has been used by a number of players over the years, including Brazilian legend Ronaldinho. Wilfried Bony pulled off a beautiful ‘elastcio’ in the African Cup of Nations, as shown below:

This trick will be great to show your friends as it is often pulled out by professional players and also in competitive football, especially when you are one-on-one with a defender. By shifting your weight to one side, the defender will expect you to be going that way so will follow your movement. By sending the ball back the other way, the defender is put in a vulnerable position and this presents an opportunity to either slide the ball past them or as you become more confident, nutmeg them. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do the trick:

Step 1: 

Begin by pushing the ball with the outside of your foot, as I am left-footed, I am doing it with my strong foot but the same goes for right-footed players.

Step 2: 

Continue gently pushing the ball forward with the outside of your foot and shift your weight to the side of your body you are controlling the ball with.

Step 3: 

  Bring your foot off the ball and to just outside of the ball. Notice the ball and my foot have ever so slightly left the floor.

Step 4: 

Keeping your standing foot still planted; begin to wrap your foot fully around the outside of the ball and also start shifting your weight to the opposite side. See how my right leg is beginning to move!

Step 5: 

Plant your strong foot on the floor and gently nudge the ball, this does not need to be particularly hard as the speed which the ball has initially moved is sufficient.

Step 6:  

Continue running with the ball- the defender should have been left bamboozled! This trick takes time, begin moving the ball very slowly from outside to inside and before long you’ll be doing it effortlessly.

 Here is a video of how the ‘elastico’ should look in full:

Thanks very much for reading the first edition of #footBALLER and if you have any feedback, questions or suggestions, please leave a comment!