Why Soccer Moves for Kids Matter

As both a soccer dad and a JV coach, I’ve seen the same story over and over. Kids love practicing flashy tricks they see online—but when game day comes, those moves rarely help.

 

What young players really need are soccer moves for kids that are simple, effective, and reliable in real games.

 

Once kids master the basics, they gain confidence to take on defenders, creativity to try new things, and resilience when mistakes happen.

Related:
The Definitive Guide to In-Home Training

That’s why I want to share three of my favorite moves for youth players. These are the same moves I teach my sons at home and my JV players at practice. They’re game-tested, easy to learn, and fun to practice anywhere.

 

Move #1: La Croqueta – A Simple Soccer Move for Kids

La Croqueta is one of the first moves I recommend kids learn. Made famous by Andres Iniesta, it’s a quick side-to-side shift of the ball that helps players escape pressure.

 

 

When my youngest son first tried this, he stumbled through it. But after a few short practice sessions, he pulled it off in a game—and his face lit up with confidence.

 

Why it works:

 

  • It’s quick and hard for defenders to read.
  • Creates space in tight spots.
  • Easy to learn with consistent practice.

 

The Five-Star Dribble Master Series from Anytime Soccer Training includes drills that deliver 500 touches in under five minutes. That kind of repetition is what makes kids comfortable using La Croqueta under pressure.

 

 

Move #2: Body Feints – Teaching Kids to Deceive Defenders

Body feints are one of the simplest yet most effective soccer moves for kids. A sharp shoulder dip or quick fake step can freeze a defender and create just enough space to get past them.

As a coach, I love this move because it’s simple. Kids don’t need a fancy trick—they just need to “sell the fake” and accelerate in the opposite direction.

Why it works:

 

  • Simple enough for beginners to pick up fast.
  • Works at every level of soccer.
  • Can be paired with dribbling, passing, or shooting.

 

Anytime Soccer Training’s 1v1 Domination Series has dozens of variations on body feints. With more than 1,000 videos in the library, kids can practice until these movements become second nature.

 

Move #3: Scissors – A Classic Soccer Move

The scissor is a crowd favorite. It looks fancy but is surprisingly simple. The player circles their foot around the ball to fake one direction, then pushes off in the other.

 

 

I often introduce this to my JV players because it’s fun to learn and actually works in real games.

Kids love it when a move “looks cool” but still delivers results.

Why it works:

 

  • Builds coordination with both feet.
  • Effective one-on-one against defenders.
  • Fun, which keeps kids motivated to practice.

 

One thing I appreciate about Anytime Soccer Training is that every move is taught with both feet. Kids don’t just rely on their dominant side—they get confident using either foot in games.

 

How to Practice Soccer Moves for Kids at Home

Here’s the good news—you don’t need a field or expensive gear. My sons and I started in our garage and sometimes even in the living room (much to my wife’s patience).

All you really need is:

 

 

Consistent short sessions (10 minutes a day) are far more effective than the occasional hour-long practice. As a coach, I can always spot the kids who put in those extra touches at home—they’re more confident, composed, and ready to try moves in real games.

 

Final Thoughts

As a soccer dad and JV coach, I can tell you this: the best soccer moves for kids aren’t the flashiest. They’re the ones who work in games. La Croqueta, body feints, and scissors are three skills every young player should have in their toolkit.

 

And the best part? They can all be practiced at home. Kids don’t need endless tournaments or elite teams to improve—they need touches, confidence, and encouragement.

 

We’ve even included a few full training sessions from Anytime Soccer Training’s comprehensive program of over 5,000 videos. These aren’t random drills—they’re structured, follow-along sessions that build skill step by step.

 

If you want a simple way to help your child get started, try the free 7-Day Soccer Skills Challenge. You’ll get seven fun, follow-along sessions that focus on ball mastery, dribbling, and passing. It’s easy to follow, great for kids of all ages, and yours to keep forever.

 

👉 [Click here to start the free 7-Day Soccer Skills Challenge]