Marseille turn
Encyclopedia
The Marseille turn, also known as the 360, the Maradona or the Roulette, is a specialised dribbling skill unique to the game of football
. It is sometimes known as the 360 turn, the Marseille Roulette, Rolie Polie or the Piroman. A number of famous footballers have been known to use it, including Lionel Messi
, Ronaldinho
, Cristiano Ronaldo
, Zinedine Zidane
, Thierry Henry
, Kaká
, Robinho
and Ronaldo
.
Origin=
However, it is believed that the among the players who may be most responsible for the popularisation of the move are Diego Maradona and Zinedine Zidane. The maneuver is widely recognised as one of their trademark moves and they both used it with a high success rate in competitive games throughout their careers. The grace and flair with which Maradona executed it has led many commentators to note its beauty and elegance. The move has been termed “the Maradona Spin” in his honour. In some Playstation football games, that name is recognised as the official name for the move. But Zidane's sharpness and grace in execution, while performing a trick he upgraded for modern, fast-paced football in highly challenging environments (Bordeaux, Juventus, Real Madrid), popularized the marseille turn worldwide.
The second part of the body spin commences as the ball approaches the player's weaker foot; the master foot touches the floor and the player uses it to continue pivoting his body. He spins until he faces the direction of his master foot in his original position.
The first drag back enables the player to retain control of the ball by removing the ball from the arc of the opposing player's tackle. The body spin positions the back of the dribbling player's body in between the opposing player and the ball to shield the ball.
The second drag-back changes the direction of the ball, and, when combined with the completion of the spin, allows for both player and ball to move in the same direction and hence gain momentum for a continued run or a shot.
When performed at speed, the manoeuvre is almost impossible to defend against as it incorporates a sudden change in direction with a continuous shielding of the ball. One tactic the defending player can call upon is to use his body to shove the dribbler off balance during the move. This may invite a foul called upon the defending player, depending on the referee's judgement. The reason players like Zidane and Maradona have been able to use it with a high success rate is due in no small part to their own considerable body mass, as well as their excellent balance.
The manoeuvre can also be used when the ball is going out of play away from the player. By using a lunging step for the first drag-back in the roulette, the player can prevent the ball from exiting the field of play and continue dribbling along the touchline in one fluid motion.
A prime example of the manoeuvre was performed by Thierry Henry
in a 2003 FA Cup tie between Arsenal and Chelsea, whereby Henry used the manoeuvre to round Chelsea's then goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini
and place the ball into a subsequently empty net.
The possible merits of this variation can be derived from the difference between stud-less training shoes and football boots with studs. The studs of football boots provide less contact area with the ball when compared to a stud-less shoe, thereby increasing the possibility of the move being unsuccessful. However, since Zidane has performed both versions of the move using studded boots, it is possible that his decision is based on instinct.
Franck Ribéry
and Aiden McGeady
have also performed slightly modified versions of the spin. The modifications include dragging the ball behind their standing foot instead of to the side during the first phase. The third phase also sees them using the outside of the boot in instead of the sole.
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
. It is sometimes known as the 360 turn, the Marseille Roulette, Rolie Polie or the Piroman. A number of famous footballers have been known to use it, including Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi
Lionel Andrés "Leo" Messi is an Argentine footballer who plays for FC Barcelona and captains the Argentina national team, mainly as a striker. Messi received several Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year nominations by the age of 21, and won in 2009 and 2010...
, Ronaldinho
Ronaldinho
Ronaldo de Assis Moreira , commonly known as Ronaldinho or Ronaldinho Gaúcho, is a Brazilian footballer who plays for Flamengo and the Brazilian national team as an attacking midfielder or forward. He is a two-time winner of the FIFA World Player of the Year, awarded to the best player over the year...
, Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, OIH, , commonly known as Cristiano Ronaldo, is a Portuguese footballer who plays as a winger or striker for Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid and is the captain of the Portuguese national team...
, Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Yazid Zidane is a retired French footballer. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. Zidane was a leading figure of a generation of French players that won the 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championship...
, Thierry Henry
Thierry Henry
Thierry Daniel Henry is a French professional footballer who plays for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.Henry was born in Les Ulis, Essonne where he played for an array of local sides as a youngster and showed great promise as a goal-scorer. He was spotted by AS Monaco in 1990 and...
, Kaká
Kaká
Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite , commonly known as Kaká , is a Brazilian football attacking midfielder who currently plays for Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid and the Brazilian national team. Kaká started his footballing career at the age of eight, when he began playing for a local club...
, 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...
and Ronaldo
Ronaldo
Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima , commonly known as Ronaldo, is a retired Brazilian footballer who last played for Corinthians. Ronaldo is widely considered to be the greatest 'pure' striker in the history of the modern game, and by some accounts, in the history of football. Ronaldo was one of the...
.
Origin=
However, it is believed that the among the players who may be most responsible for the popularisation of the move are Diego Maradona and Zinedine Zidane. The maneuver is widely recognised as one of their trademark moves and they both used it with a high success rate in competitive games throughout their careers. The grace and flair with which Maradona executed it has led many commentators to note its beauty and elegance. The move has been termed “the Maradona Spin” in his honour. In some Playstation football games, that name is recognised as the official name for the move. But Zidane's sharpness and grace in execution, while performing a trick he upgraded for modern, fast-paced football in highly challenging environments (Bordeaux, Juventus, Real Madrid), popularized the marseille turn worldwide.
Execution
The Marseille Turn can be simplified into three basic steps; the master foot drag-back, the body spin, and the weaker foot drag-back. It can be executed while the player is stationary or during a run. The first step may be performed with either foot (in which case the other foot performs the second drag-back), however it is more common for players to initiate it with their master foot, or the foot they most prefer to kick the ball with.Master Foot Drag-Back
The move begins with the player facing the ball and the ball just a step away or less. The player launches off with his weaker foot, extends his master foot, steps lightly on the ball with the tip of his sole and pulls the ball along the floor towards himself. The foot should remain in contact with the ball momentarily only; once the ball is set in motion, the master foot continues in its original direction and lands on the floor to provide support for the second part of the body spin.Body Spin
The Body Spin actually commences at the same time as the master foot drag back. The executing player throws his body forward over the ball as it is being pulled back. Concurrently, he spins his body 90 degrees by turning to facing the side of his weaker foot.The second part of the body spin commences as the ball approaches the player's weaker foot; the master foot touches the floor and the player uses it to continue pivoting his body. He spins until he faces the direction of his master foot in his original position.
Weaker Foot Drag-Back
The player steps on the ball with his weaker foot as it approaches to stop its motion, then pulls the ball back with the sole of his boots, in the direction of his master foot in his original position. This drag-back is performed simultaneously with the second part of the body spin. With the completion of the body spin, the direction the player faces coincides with that of the motion of the ball.Uses and Effectiveness
The manoeuvre is most effective when the opposing player approaches head on or from the side of the player's master foot.The first drag back enables the player to retain control of the ball by removing the ball from the arc of the opposing player's tackle. The body spin positions the back of the dribbling player's body in between the opposing player and the ball to shield the ball.
The second drag-back changes the direction of the ball, and, when combined with the completion of the spin, allows for both player and ball to move in the same direction and hence gain momentum for a continued run or a shot.
When performed at speed, the manoeuvre is almost impossible to defend against as it incorporates a sudden change in direction with a continuous shielding of the ball. One tactic the defending player can call upon is to use his body to shove the dribbler off balance during the move. This may invite a foul called upon the defending player, depending on the referee's judgement. The reason players like Zidane and Maradona have been able to use it with a high success rate is due in no small part to their own considerable body mass, as well as their excellent balance.
The manoeuvre can also be used when the ball is going out of play away from the player. By using a lunging step for the first drag-back in the roulette, the player can prevent the ball from exiting the field of play and continue dribbling along the touchline in one fluid motion.
A prime example of the manoeuvre was performed by Thierry Henry
Thierry Henry
Thierry Daniel Henry is a French professional footballer who plays for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.Henry was born in Les Ulis, Essonne where he played for an array of local sides as a youngster and showed great promise as a goal-scorer. He was spotted by AS Monaco in 1990 and...
in a 2003 FA Cup tie between Arsenal and Chelsea, whereby Henry used the manoeuvre to round Chelsea's then goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini
Carlo Cudicini
Carlo Cudicini is an Italian goalkeeper who currently plays for Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur. In his 10 years at Chelsea he established himself as one of England's best goalkeepers before injury and the arrival of Petr Cech displaced him as first-choice...
and place the ball into a subsequently empty net.
Variations
Zidane has been known to use different variations of the marseille turn. Instead of using his sole to drag the ball back in the move's first phase, he sometimes uses his instep, especially if he is performing the move while running at high speed.The possible merits of this variation can be derived from the difference between stud-less training shoes and football boots with studs. The studs of football boots provide less contact area with the ball when compared to a stud-less shoe, thereby increasing the possibility of the move being unsuccessful. However, since Zidane has performed both versions of the move using studded boots, it is possible that his decision is based on instinct.
Franck Ribéry
Franck Ribéry
Franck Ribéry is a French international footballer who currently plays for German club Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga. He primarily plays as a winger, preferably on the left side, and is known for "pace, energy, skill and precise passing." Ribéry is described as a player who is "fast, tricky and...
and Aiden McGeady
Aiden McGeady
Aiden McGeady is a Scottish-born Irish footballer who currently plays as a winger for Russian club Spartak Moscow. Although born and brought up in Scotland, McGeady plays internationally for the Republic of Ireland, a country he qualifies for through his grandparents...
have also performed slightly modified versions of the spin. The modifications include dragging the ball behind their standing foot instead of to the side during the first phase. The third phase also sees them using the outside of the boot in instead of the sole.