People always want to know, “What’s the best soccer move you can do to beat a defender?” A lot of the time, they think that the best move they can do is something fancy or complicated. However, usually the best way to beat a defender is to keep your move as quick and simple as possible.

Usually the best thing you can do to get clear of a defender is to simply do a quick turn. This works for several reasons. The first is that if you are dribbling the ball in one direction and your defender is following you, and you quickly cut the ball to the other direction, it will be very hard to stay with you.

The second reason that a quick turn is the best way to get clear of a defender is the simplicity of the move. When you start getting into moves like the Double Scissors, the moves are flashy, but complicated. There is a lot more that can go wrong when you try to do a double scissors than with a simple cut. With a quick direction change, you just do a quick cut with the ball. There is no warning as to what you’re going to do.

Lionel Messi, a player for Barcelona, is probably the best example of using quick cuts and turns to beat defenders. He beats entire defenses just with fast speed and direction changes, and he’s considered one of the best players in the world. If these moves are good enough for him, they’re good enough for you!

This post contains instruction on how to do 4 of the best soccer turns to beat defenders.

SOCCER TURN 1 – THE INSIDE CUT

The inside cut is the simplest of these soccer turns, and probably the quickest. While dribbling the ball forward, reach your foot around the front of the ball and cut it backwards with the inside of your foot. The key to getting clear of a defender with this move is that you quickly accelerate after you're cut.

SOCCER TURN 2 – THE OUTSIDE CUT

This move is very similar to the inside cut, except that you cut the ball back with the outside of your foot instead of the inside.

SOCCER TURN 3 – THE CRUYFF

The third soccer turn is called the Cruyff. Named after a famous Dutch player, this turn is a very effective soccer move for beating a defender. From dribbling forward, step past the ball with one foot. Keep this foot planted. Turn your body and pull the ball back behind your plant foot with your other foot. This move is most effective if you start your motion with a fake shot.

SOCCER TURN 4 – THE STEP-OVER TURN

The fourth soccer turn that we’re going to discuss is the step-over turn. This is a great move for faking like you’re going to turn one direction to fool a defender. Dribble the ball forward, then step over the ball with one foot. With your other foot, take the ball back in the direction you came from. You can also take the ball away with the outside of the foot you stepped over with.