Hocus Pocus Soccer Move

The Hocus Pocus soccer move is one of the most impressive and difficult dribbling tricks in the sport. It involves deceiving your opponent by faking a pass or shot with one foot, before quickly dragging the ball with the other foot in the opposite direction.

It’s a move that requires skill, speed, and precision, but once mastered, it can leave your opponents scratching their heads and wondering how you did it.

Will you use the hocus pocus move often in games? Nope! But, like other soccer dribbling moves, it’s nice to have in your arsenal. Now, let’s get into how you actually do it!

Hocus Pocus Move: Step-by-Step Instructions

Since this is a difficult move to pull off, it is also hard to explain so that’s why I’ve included the video above. I would watch this first and then read the four steps for extra context.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to master the Hocus Pocus soccer move:

Step 1: Approach the ball

Approach the ball from an angle with your dominant foot positioned slightly behind it. This will allow you to fake a pass or shot with your dominant foot before dragging the ball with your other foot.

Step 2: Fake a pass or shot & drop your shoulder

As you approach the ball, quickly swing your dominant foot back to scoop the ball behind your other leg. At the same time, drop your forward shoulder. This will trick your opponent into thinking that you’re going to make a move in that direction.

Step 3: Drag the ball

As your opponent moves to block the pass or shot, quickly drag the ball with the inside of your other foot in the opposite direction. Then immediately push the ball back in front with the outside of the same foot. This should be done in one swift motion to catch your opponent off guard.

Step 4: Accelerate away

Once you’ve dragged the ball in the opposite direction, quickly accelerate away from your opponent with the ball at your feet. This will give you the space and time you need to make your next move.

Tips to Improve the Hocus Pocus Move

Tips for mastering the Hocus Pocus soccer move:

1. Practice makes perfect. The more you practice this move, the more comfortable and confident you’ll become with it. Start slowly to get the right motion down. As you get the hang of it, start speeding it up slightly.
2. Keep your eyes on the ball. It’s important to keep your eyes on the ball at all times to ensure that you execute the move correctly. If you’re doing it in a game (which I wouldn’t recommend any youth player to do), you’ll want to scan your opponents first and then look down.
3. Use your body to deceive your opponent. Use your body movements to deceive your opponent into thinking that you’re going to make a move in one direction before quickly changing direction.
4. Be patient. This is a tricky move to master, so be patient with yourself and keep practicing until you get it right. Keep in mind that many professional players still don’t have this unique move down.