The Art of the Double Movement
As an attacking player, getting defenders off your back is a task you have to do repeatedly every game. It’s up to you to not only make yourself open for passes, but to also dribble around defenders in 1v1 situations.
A key to taking defenders out of position and freeing yourself from their clutches is a classic technique utilized by countless soccer stars. It’s called the Double Movement, and it’s a tell-tale sign of a high-level attacking player.
What is The Double Movement?
A good defender watches your every move. If you go right, they follow.
The Double Movement is just what the name implies – its two movements. The first tricks the defender into thinking you’re about to move in a certain direction, when your true intention is to move in another direction.
The Double Movement off the Ball
Let’s say your teammate has the ball, and you want to make yourself open for a pass. The problem is, the defender marking you tightly.
Simply put, the Double Movement gives you a little bit of space.
If you want to head upfield, check to the ball for your first movement. Once the defender commits, reverse course and head upfield
The defender will be a step behind you, giving your teammate the space to deliver a pass.
The Double Movement on the Ball
This is also called a feint – and it is arguably the most important trick for beating a defender 1v1 (this is basically the one move Messi has done in his career).
When the defender is in front of you, move one way. When the defender follows, go the other way.
Why the Double Movement is So Effective
After reading the first example, you might be thinking, “Okay, but what happens if I try that again? The defender isn’t going to fall for the same trick twice.”
And you might be right. But this is yet another reason the Double Movement is so effective.
If you run towards the ball again, yes, the defender probably isn’t going to follow you, because of what happened last time.
But that also means the defender is off your back, since they’ve stayed behind in anticipation of your run up the field. So, if the defender doesn’t follow you, your last double movement helped you create space this time, and you just check to and receive the pass.
The Double Movement is a win-win.
How to Master the Double Movement
The Double Movement is so simple that it’s almost hard to believe how effective it is. Countless attackers owe a great deal of their success to their mastery of the Double Movement both on the ball and off.
While we are not big fans of cone drills, one time a cone drill is effective is learning to feint. Practice dribbling at the cone at various speeds, feinting one way before going the other. Do it so much that it becomes as natural as breathing.
