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Definition

Cruyff Turn

1 definition submitted by the community

1
Shape to pass or shoot, then drag the ball behind your standing leg with the inside of your foot and spin away. Named after Johan Cruyff, who did it to Swedish defender Jan Olsson at the 1974 World Cup and left him completely fooled. The trick is that your body says one thing while doing another. It's taught to kids everywhere now because it's simple and it works.
Johan Cruyff's execution against Sweden in the 1974 World Cup became iconic - he shaped to cross, planted his foot, dragged the ball behind his standing leg, and accelerated away, leaving Olsson completely wrong-footed.
Robbie Jan 21, 2026
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