Football, or soccer as it is known in third world countries, is the most popular sport in the world. It is a game that is both simple to learn and almost impossible to master. A game that is both simple and deceptively complex, football can be enjoyed by everyone at almost any level of skill.
Those who dedicate time to the game will reach higher levels of skill than those that don't. Some of them learn tricks and amazing ways of playing that will leave the regular player bamboozled. The stepover is one such trick, and has been a staple component of flamboyant wingers over many years.
Those who are looking to learn the stepover must first be full of confidence. Without confidence you'll fail and the defender will tackle you, making you look stupid and losing your team the ball. This is bad. A confident stepover will help you move your feet faster and give you a firm sense of direction to springboard your trick from. Be like a panther, quiet, confident and ready to spring.
The purpose of the stepover is to fool the defender into thinking you're going to take the ball in one direction, only to then switch and go the other way. Hopefully they'll be off-balance and you'll be able to glide by them with the grace of a swan. As your feet pass over the ball it looks like you're going to kick it. The defender just won't know which way you're going to go, if you can change the direction that you're heading in each time then they really will be uncertain.
A stepover is a great trick to master if you're playing in attack as if you beat a player then you're free and your team has an advantage. If you can beat a couple then it may leave your side with more attackers than they have defenders, a good chance to score a goal. The unfortunate side effect of the step over is that an experienced defender will know how to read them so you'll have to be very good to beat them. Don't ever try one in a defensive position as you might get tackled. That is bad.
For good stepover tips and ideas go watch a match where Cristiano Ronaldo is playing, he has some of the most outrageous stepovers in the game and consistently uses them to deadly effect. Other players to watch out for are Ronaldinho, Robinho, Joe Cole and Carlton Palmer. Good luck playing the stepover and have fun scoring goals.
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