Rainbow kick
Encyclopedia
The rainbow kick is a trick
used in association football, in which a player steps over the ball and flicks it off the ground from behind them, and forward over their head in an arc. The trajectory of the ball gives this trick its name. The trick is usually performed while running forward with the ball, and is done by rolling the ball up the back of one leg with the other foot, before flicking the standing foot upwards to propel the ball forward and over the head.
The trick is an impressive show of skill, sometimes seen in street soccer. It is rarely used in modern professional football, as it has a relatively low success rate, but players with high confidence and skill may attempt it from time to time. Brazilian players such as Pelé
, Djalminha
and Robinho
are among those who have used this trick. The rainbow kick was performed at the 2002 FIFA World Cup
when Turkey
's İlhan Mansız
, in what was described as a "sombrero" move of "outrageous skill", flicked the ball over both his head and the head of Brazil
's world-class side-back Roberto Carlos, forcing Carlos into a foul. Sometimes the use of tricks like the rainbow kick are seen as showboating and disrespectful to the opposing team. In March 2008, the Sheffield Wednesday player Franck Songo'o
, on his debut loan appearance for the Championship side against Queens Park Rangers, attempted the trick in the closing minutes of the game, which Wednesday were leading, with one match report commenting that the referee "quickly called a halt to proceedings as Rangers players piled in threatening to lynch the Frenchman".
The rainbow kick appears in a famous sequence in the 1981 film Escape to Victory
, when the trick is used by the character played by Ossie Ardiles, which led to the name of "Ardiles flick". One review described it thus: "the all time special effects highlight being when Ossie Ardiles flicks the ball over his head".
The trick has also been featured in football computer games, including FIFA 08
, where it is described as "One of the most famous soccer moves".
Football tactics and skills
There are various individual skills and team tactics needed to play effective association football . Football is in theory a very simple game, as illustrated by Kevin Keegan's famous assertion that his tactics for winning a match were to "score more goals than the opposition"...
used in association football, in which a player steps over the ball and flicks it off the ground from behind them, and forward over their head in an arc. The trajectory of the ball gives this trick its name. The trick is usually performed while running forward with the ball, and is done by rolling the ball up the back of one leg with the other foot, before flicking the standing foot upwards to propel the ball forward and over the head.
The trick is an impressive show of skill, sometimes seen in street soccer. It is rarely used in modern professional football, as it has a relatively low success rate, but players with high confidence and skill may attempt it from time to time. Brazilian players such as Pelé
Pelé
However, Pelé has always maintained that those are mistakes, that he was actually named Edson and that he was born on 23 October 1940.), best known by his nickname Pelé , is a retired Brazilian footballer. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time...
, Djalminha
Djalminha
Djalma Feitosa Dias , aka Djalminha, is a retired Brazilian footballer who played as an attacking midfielder.Blessed with superb skills but also a troublesome character he represented, among others, Flamengo and Deportivo de La Coruña, and was also a Brazil international.-Brazil:Son of former...
and Robinho
Robinho
Robson de Souza , more commonly known as Robinho, is a Brazilian professional footballer who currently plays as second striker and winger for Serie A club AC Milan...
are among those who have used this trick. The rainbow kick was performed at the 2002 FIFA World Cup
2002 FIFA World Cup
The 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. It was also the first World Cup held in Asia, and the last in which the golden goal rule was implemented. Brazil won the tournament for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2–0...
when Turkey
Turkey national football team
The Turkey national football team represents Turkey in association football and is controlled by the Turkish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Turkey. They are affiliated with UEFA...
's İlhan Mansız
Ilhan Mansiz
İlhan Mansız is a former Turkish football player.-Career:He attracted much attention from female fans due to his fashionable dressing style and hairdo, being listed among other football players such as David Beckham who are often categorized as metrosexuals...
, in what was described as a "sombrero" move of "outrageous skill", flicked the ball over both his head and the head of Brazil
Brazil national football team
The Brazil national football team represents Brazil in international men's football and is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation , the governing body for football in Brazil. They are a member of the International Federation of Association Football since 1923 and also a member of the...
's world-class side-back Roberto Carlos, forcing Carlos into a foul. Sometimes the use of tricks like the rainbow kick are seen as showboating and disrespectful to the opposing team. In March 2008, the Sheffield Wednesday player Franck Songo'o
Franck Songo'o
Franck Steve Songo'o, is a Cameroonian footballer who is currently unattached. He serves as a player of the Cameroonian national team.-Early career:...
, on his debut loan appearance for the Championship side against Queens Park Rangers, attempted the trick in the closing minutes of the game, which Wednesday were leading, with one match report commenting that the referee "quickly called a halt to proceedings as Rangers players piled in threatening to lynch the Frenchman".
The rainbow kick appears in a famous sequence in the 1981 film Escape to Victory
Escape to Victory
Escape to Victory, known simply as Victory in North America, is a 1981 film about Allied prisoners of war who are interned in a German prison camp during World War II...
, when the trick is used by the character played by Ossie Ardiles, which led to the name of "Ardiles flick". One review described it thus: "the all time special effects highlight being when Ossie Ardiles flicks the ball over his head".
The trick has also been featured in football computer games, including FIFA 08
FIFA 08
FIFA 08 is the 2008 installment of EA Sports' series of football video games. Developed by EA Canada, it is published by Electronic Arts worldwide under the EA Sports label. It was released on all popular gaming formats in September 2007 in Europe, Australia, and Asia, and in October 2007 in North...
, where it is described as "One of the most famous soccer moves".