Pro Footballer Describes the Most Difficult Skill Move to Defend

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About Me
Name: Matt Sheldon
Age: 28
Height: 6' 0"
Weight: 170 lbs
Nationality: USA
Job: Professional Soccer Player
Current Team: FC Tulsa
Current League: USL Championship (USA 2nd Tier)
Last Team: Tulsa Roughnecks FC
Previous Teams: Waterside Karori FC, Saint Louis FC, Orange County Blues, SG Kinzenbach
Position: RB/LB/RM
College: UC Davis (D1)

[@omerhayat2523]

As Thierry Henry said: "Average players complicate the game, great players simplify it."

[@CoachXaviPerformance]

Exactly! Keep the game simple, 1-2 touches as often as possible.

[@nmnmnm3386]

@@CoachXaviPerformance yh but to get noticed u have to dribble

[@aron6260]

@@nmnmnm3386 nah, just be consistent all the time. The best teams wants players who doesn’t make wrong decisions, not a Ronaldo wannabe

[@aryasingh1625]

@@aron6260 at least in England most of the players scouted from Sunday League are dribbles who score 4-5 goals a game, so I'd agree with the other guy.

[@aron6260]

@@aryasingh1625 that’s because they play against shit players and can do whatever they want. If you play against ok players, you won’t have the chance to do so.

[@feintfoot1589]

the most difficult skill to defend: the body feint Lionel Messi agrees

[@vinaymundra6146]

No body can do body fients like Messi So it's like body feints are most difficult to implement tooo

[@nofurtherwest3474]

And la croqueta

[@peterpoli2839]

Messi loves the joint use of La Croqueta and body feints.

[@peterpoli2839]

@mastertime 432 Messi's low centre of gravity allows him to throw you off much more easily with his body feint compared to another man doing the same.

[@unitthotdestroyer8338]

@@peterpoli2839 Na that’s inesta

[@jozefstrapec7880]

"They are definitely moments in the game, where you have to get creative." Ronaldinho: "hold my shoes"

[@danktube21]

Hold my passport*

[@peterkjeldsen9137]

Nothing is impossible Matt🤝 One day you will get under 2 mins 💪🤣

[@we_breathe_football370]

He is getting closer.

[@bluespark9927]

Lmao 🤣

[@aidengray8246]

He was trying so hard to get under two minutes😂 But I still like a longer video.

[@peterkjeldsen9137]

@Lucca Starkman are u sure about that sir 🧐

[@oliveroreskov2821]

Nah but i like it more that wat tbh

[@Ampe96]

“I really think I can do it today” I already know how this is going to end

[@MizaG115.]

Wdym

[@ykx6578]

4:50 I love how he precedes to pull Ronaldinho clips after he mentioned "sometimes you have to be creative."

[@pooguy7480]

Cuz he’s a prime example lol

[@cybersiddhu]

The most practical, realistic advice you can get from a pro, period. I rank this one as one of your best video as compared to the ones where you have got a really high view count. This is just no fluff, straight to the point that actually happens and works in actual game.

[@AdolfoDiaz777]

“I really think I can do under 2 minutes today”😂. Nice vid Matt!

[@loveflower6648]

A winger in the USL watching this video before playing against matt: 😏😏😏😏

[@longqtravis7456]

As a defender, i gotta admit that playing against those showboating guys is much easier as u just keep it low and hold ur posture, than those guys who always speeding directly at u and use body feints like Messi to trick u

[@mkramos07]

Matt has changed my mindset and how I approach sports in general! As a Taekwondo player transitioning into soccer, I am able to apply Matt's information in both sports. Absolutely amazing ❤️👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Bravo

[@kevinramacha8208]

football

[@yoshibald8958]

football

[@kevinramacha8208]

@Shush SHush its called fifa federation international de football association can you see the word football

[@kevinramacha8208]

@Shush SHush introducing this beautiful game to Americans was one of the biggest mistake

[@SJ-vx2hr]

next Ibra

[@wyrdoyt8571]

Excited for this one

[@jacobledesma1995]

everytime I see a new become elite video I get hella hype. drop everything I’m doing to watch it fr

[@marcisrael4669]

next game now, you’ll see the winger Matt goes up against abuse the body feint🤣

[@BoubacarBah02]

I would die if I see that😂😂😂

[@Sergio-io3bq]

This guy always shoots straight. Loves the transparency Matt thank you for not telling us what we want to hear. I see way too many kids trying to showboat on the pitch and losing the ball. Only sometimes like you said do you have to get creative NOT all the time. Playing simple and secure makes you effective.

[@highstakes1235]

Great video. I played semi pro here in England and the dip shoulder was always my hardest to guard against.

[@TH-cq8jy]

One of my favorite videos from Matt!

[@CoolDBG]

Great video Matt! Been here since 40k+ keep working!!

[@astrophel3302]

When you put the Ronaldinho montage I had no choice but to like the video haha. Good one.

[@LafayetTheAwesomeOne]

Awesome vid, Matt! Very explanatory for everyday football fans and really useful for amateur and youth players, especially they are going to learn a lot fromt this video.

[@hrishikeshsarma6012]

So so true. Even a series of stepovers where you just move your feet isn't as effective as when you really drop your shoulders either way. That separates a "wow" moment stepover with Neymar from a dry couple of stepovers from Mbappe.

[@uluturkh]

Very good information. Thank you, Matt!

[@jensenjunior7966]

Only alot of thanks to you bro ,am learning alot from your Instagram page ,thanks..

[@kieronjenks7971]

excited for this brother❤️

[@cubott]

Piotr Zieliński from Napoli is a sick example. Sometimes defenders slip. I even remember someone shaking his head in disbelief getting fooled third time within the first half.

[@Spideystrat]

100 % agree. Subbed

[@jme6141994]

The best defending skill anyone ever taught me was how to stare down the ball instead of watching the feet.

[@aqdjbcr]

Works to an extent but if a good player starts going in a direction and you stay still he’s gonna leave you in his dust. Can’t afford to give head starts

[@rodrigogoytia925]

@@aqdjbcr true but if you look at the ball while you're on your toes you have already won half of the challenges you attempt. The other half comes by reading your opponent and the timing of the challenge. Always wait until the ball is away from their feet, that will win you some more, unless you're playing against very very skillful players on the ball such as Messi, Neymar or Salah.

[@derek723]

I find looking at a players eyes and upper body tells me WAY more about what they want to do vs. looking at the ball

[@rodrigogoytia925]

@@derek723 eyes yes, upper body no, because that's how a body faint works

[@MrParky018]

1. if possible dont let the opposition get the ball under control in the first place, meet the ball and player body check everytime..this is demoralising... 2. if 1 not possible dont let the opposition get a second touch...try kick the ball away 3. if the opposition gets the ball under control show him to the outside of the pitch..."jockey" 4. try to make him play backwards, by narrowing the space sqeezing them to the line.. 5. stop the cross... 6. stop the shot.... 7. only if you can definately win the ball back or kick it out of play or towards your own player, make the tackle.

[@sarveshpol9142]

amazing video🙌🏻

[@jackgreen225]

Just going out to do your cone dribbling video 🚀

[@penultimategaming9722]

great video people need to know this to step up there game.

[@CoachXaviPerformance]

I totally agree with you. It is key to feint also with your body to sell going one way but finally you go the other way. Very hard to defend👊

[@mr.skittletime9304]

Thxxx for the advice

[@suryadityasathe4999]

The only way to defend against skillful players is to 1 be ahead from them mentally that what they'll gonna do 2 be on your toes and maintain proper distance with them so that you can chase them if you get beaten 3 close them down everytime force them to go away from the goal . Play physically !

[@robertt9342]

Sometimes along with number 1 is to try and force them to commit, usually by doing a feint of your own. You can push them into moving where you want instead of reacting to their moves.

[@miguelt09]

Love it brother!!

[@DonswatchingtheTube]

It's true if you really make move one way then the defender has to commit. I remember John Robertson a Scottish winger for Nottingham Forest 1978ish, a chubby player and while he wasn't the fastest he use to beat defenders for dead. He basically waited for the defender to lift their leg and touch the ball past them while they were standing on one leg. We all tried it at school and it worked most of the time. ☺

[@aadilnathani9604]

Thank you Matt!

[@colemiddendorf1264]

The production of ur videos is getting better

[@doyoulikemyduck2829]

I’m a winger and thank youuuu sooo muchhhh Matt you have no idea how much this helped me!!🙌🏻 I’ve been wondering this for so long

[@fg780]

Bro I love your videos your tips are Elite tier I love body faints and shooting the ball hard af that's all I do

[@learnfootball1386]

Thanks I really need this

[@joshgreen6773]

Simplicity is better than complicated. Thanks for this video!!

[@mmalloy414]

Good coaching Matt.

[@jakethewoz]

Congrats on that assist in your last game!!! Badass man!

[@saharzv8555]

Amazing matt⚽️⚽️💪💪🐐

[@levichavers10]

Can you make a two minute Tuesday about swimming, and also we like it when you go over time and make two minute Tuesday like 10-15 Mins long

[@N8N-Soccer]

Apart from being effective, it’s also the most Efficient. Because it doesn’t require actually moving the ball

[@Just_Me]

A soccer coach once told my son, "You should only use skill moves against players you respect. If you are better, quicker, faster than your opponent, just ran past them and wave as you go by." It was a pretty funny comment and pretty good advice. Lots of good perspective in this video too.

[@seb6383]

i love your vids matt

[@pithed2]

I asked my son (centerback) "What's the most difficult move to defend?" His immediate answer, body feint.

[@michaelokun8920]

Might be one of your best vids

[@adrche7]

favourite youtuber 🙌🏼🙏🏼

[@Sammy.a1287]

This is a great video!

[@jakebrown9396]

Love this, as someone who is definitely amateur but played goalkeeper since childhood I felt so good calling that the move was feints. Conceded enough embarrassing goals over the years from an attacker using a feint against my defender and then me and just rolling it in.

[@FordBass]

No doubt spot on!

[@emil1017]

This will be good. I already know it before watching.

[@colinmugoya2135]

Personal i find watching the ball lot helps with players that use lot of body feints naturally as defenders we try and read

[@king9px768]

❤❤❤ love the video

[@aqdjbcr]

I played a pro trial and found scissor stepovers, if done well, are very tough to defend when running at a defender

[@edmondskender5837]

Best ⚽️ content you can get, greetings from Germany 🇩🇪 bester Mann Matt 👊🏼😁

[@Metalpazallteway]

I have one rule: Never play man to man, all zone.

[@joelcurtis9157]

When I saw the title, I knew you would say the body feint. And I completely agree, when I’m coaching skill moves the body feint is the first one I teach the players. It’s the most effective move, and players really don’t need anything else

[@santiagoosvaldo05]

five star quality content I'm not a professional player (yet haha) but ive been playing for more than 10 years and I can't agree more with you

[@daviddiaz6168]

this is my go to move haha works every single time especially with my speed. or a simple on step over and carry the ball to the line

[@EAZ2111]

Matt definitely watched that R10 skills video before a couple high school games😂😂

[@MakinganActor]

I've just stumbled across your channel! What an informative channel! I have a few questions. Do you suffer with blisters after a full game ? If so how do you deal with it. Also I'm looking for programs on building my strength for football, any suggestions ?

[@syammy8503]

Matt, please add something like workout, effect and advantage about resistance band . I don't have but, if I get to know, I would like to buy it.

[@adriandaloisio3729]

I am a cam and winger and most of the only moves I use most of the time a body feints and stopovers

[@likkleliam_]

As a winger/fullback at just beneath semi pro level in germany the body feint is my favourite “skill move” to use. Even if it’s two/three after another because the defender reads it at some point they always bite. Also thank you Matt i’ve learnt quite a bit about myself and my footballing ability through watching your videos and trying to better myself. Keep up the amazing work.

[@joshuasipple5522]

Good Stuff, Matt! Maybe next time!

[@marvin4977]

I play full back as well and boy…. You are so right 😂😭

[@hanskristiangrtting7734]

Great vid

[@igorburstyn6098]

Thank you for such a clear illustration of your point. Fancy moves best in training only, to help with boredom of just practicing only body feints, while building agility and speed?

[@geraldarmon1445]

A good footballer, a better teacher

[@jaym7494]

This video is like the body feint itself - simple and effective.

[@radin_mammudu]

2 minute is 5 minutes!! I luv when 2 min Tuesday turns out to be a 5min video

[@terry2544]

Amazing!

[@2DarkHorizon]

Fakes are important for dribbling but what makes Messi great is because he understands angles. For example Messi would sometimes start dribbling sideways and if you follow him sideways he will suddenly dribble diagonal towards goal. By nature of the change in angle the defender is still moving sideways for a split second more and is going to be slightly left behind before the defender realises they need to change their angle to match Messi. Messi uses this technique so much but noone notices it. It is like a secret to modern day dribbling of the ball.

[@kaykysantos2405]

Really Messi always does that. He dribbles to the side when there is no space for him to dribble because a second defender is closing the space where he wants to go.

[@2DarkHorizon]

@@kaykysantos2405 the thing is if someone dribbles sideways and you follow sideways if the dribbler decides to angle forward more you won't catch up especially if they are faster than you. So for messi when he goes sideways sometimes you need to go diagonally back

[@mr.amigoo]

As a defender for 8 years this is completely true 😌💖🙌

[@danyaalkhokhar2977]

Great video

[@maingaluwabelwa2443]

Matt will never do it in under 2 mins😂but we like them just like this😂🙏🏾

[@kiddream2943]

I love the chop I do it alot it always works

[@thomasas255]

great video!

[@ibrahimel-rafie5239]

To me the body feint and the double touch (Iniesta move) are so effective in slipping by players...

[@ibrahimel-rafie5239]

@Ak Football Skills the name is La Croqueta look it up

[@jhonnymascarenhas5063]

Hey . Could you do body faint video outdoor with a partner so we can get to see in detail in physical form?

[@Rismo_]

I was a slow / weak middle but man I was able to break down midfields with just body feints and cuts 👌🏻

[@benmedrek233]

Good points. The best moves are really just the ones that get the defender off balance. It doesn’t have to be complicated!

[@khankasimbashir9884]

Amazing points with proof that fancy skills are not necessary but players still turn a blind eye 🤣

[@J.humberto_5]

That’s why nobody can stop Messi 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@tenken1013]

Simplicity is the ultimate form of sophistication.

[@robertt9342]

As a rec full back i generally do not and try not to pay much attention to the shoulders, because of the feint is effective.

[@aleduck]

Matt , no one love those "flashy" moves ... hahaha it's kinda irritating- as a fútbol player, I totally agree with you about the body feints. I love those

[@SenegambiaFC]

I'm used to play in small fields (5 vs 5) and got invited to 8 vs 8. The difference in tactics is HUGE and with this video you simplified some heavy problems I had. Thanks man, starting to work in improving my game

[@gabrielgarcia367]

That’s what the kids need to hear👊🏼

[@aritradas4168]

Now please make a video on how to master body feints😁😁😁😁

[@MrBeastTellEm]

Matt can you do a video about how to defend 1v1 please?

[@dalo5261]

body feint works if you are looking at the player's body and not the ball, most times if not all, the body feint just buys the attacker time if you keep your eyes on the ball

[@johnnash3485]

After covid, you should do a collab with Ben Foster (cycling goalie) in England!

[@akatheprize]

Any skilled player driving at you with purpose to attack, is the most difficult move to defend... the choice of move itself doesn't matter IMO because it can be as simple as that attacking player just having the quick instinct. All good players know defending 1v1 at a high speed is the worst situation to be in for any defender.

[@akatheprize]

@@natoslayer2907 Definitely, but a wise attacker will also use their hands in the same manner to push off the defender or get that extra foot of space.. ;) really depends on who's quickest to react in any given moment

[@j.rodolfoprz7713]

I rate the effort it took to watch an entire match just to pick out and edit a few clips from it.

[@ready4cheeseburger]

Nice video :) which makes me appreciate Ronaldinho more