How to Do a Stop Turn in Soccer
Soccer involves much bobbing and weaving to avoid defenders. You must have total control over the ball if you want to score a goal or pass to an open teammate. One of the basic skills that you should learn is the stop turn. By puling off the ballhandling technique, you can confuse defenders and leave them hanging as you suddenly switch directions. Best of all, it is so easy to pull off. You can perform anytime you get swarmed by defenders.
The Stop Turn at a Glance
The stop turn, as its name suggests, is stopping at the right moment then turning to a different direction. As you run with the ball, it must be tipped to a different direction then you should take control of it in an instant. Experienced players can pull it off at almost any given moment. In your case, you can learn the mechanics first. Just improve your speed and timing as you go along.
Pulling Off the Stop Turn
soccerYou can start off by practicing the move alone. Find a large space where you can practice, preferably a soccer field or a sizable venue with a similar surface. A soccer ball is necessary, the same with a pair of soccer shoes. Now to pull off the stop turn, just follow the procedure.
Run with the soccer ball.
Suddenly, tap the ball to a different direction with the tip of your foot.
Make a quick turn and take control of the ball.
Clearly, the move is easy to pull off when you’re alone. You can probably master it in an hour or even less. The challenge is, how you can pull it off successfully with defenders hounding your every move.
Tips to Shake Off Defenders Using the Stop Turn
Maintain Eye Contact with Your Defender - The defender, concentrating on your movements, may anticipate the stop turn if you don’t provide some sort of distraction. Look him or her in the eye before and while doing the move. Chances are, your defender will focus on your gaze and before he or she knows it, you’re already moving in a different direction.
The Faster You are, The Greater Force Necessary - When running fast, you must tap the ball to a different direction a bit forcefully. You might miss the ball when you turn if you make a weak tap. On the flipside, less force is needed when you are doing the move at slow speeds.
Stop Turn then Pass for Beginners - After executing the stop turn, controlling the ball is not easy for beginners. You need to gain stability the moment you catch the ball, which may require practice. So if you have trouble keeping the ball in your possession, might as well make a quick pass.
Once you master the stop turn, you are well on your way to being a good offensive player. Just devote some time to practice it regularly and you’ll soon burn defenders with goals and assists.