The Maradona spin move, also called the Maradona turn, the roulette or the 360 turn, is a skill where you drag the ball back with the sole of one foot, spin your body around it, and drag it away with the sole of the other foot. The spin keeps your body between the defender and the ball the whole time, so you can escape pressure and come out into open space.
If you are wondering how to do the Maradona, the short answer is: sole, spin, sole, go. Diego Maradona used it to slip away from defenders who closed in on him, and it remains one of the most useful soccer moves for getting out of tight spots. Below you will find the background, a step-by-step guide, common mistakes and a practice session.
The Story Behind the Maradona Move
Diego Maradona was one of the greatest players in the history of the game. The Argentine starred for Boca Juniors, Barcelona and, most famously, Napoli, where he led the club to its first Serie A titles. His peak came at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, when he captained Argentina to the title and produced some of the most famous moments the tournament has ever seen. Maradona died in 2020, but his skills are still studied by coaches and players everywhere.
Maradona was not tall or especially big, but he was strong, low to the ground and almost impossible to knock off the ball. He was often surrounded by two or three defenders, and the spin turn suited him perfectly. Instead of trying to run through the pressure, he rolled away from it.
Maradona turn, Zidane roulette or Marseille turn?
The move has several names. In many places it is the Maradona. Zinedine Zidane, who grew up in Marseille, used it so elegantly that it is also known as the Zidane roulette or the Marseille turn. Cristiano Ronaldo and many other modern players have used it too. Whatever you call it, the technique is the same.
How to Do the Maradona Spin Move: Step by Step
- Dribble toward the defender. Approach at a controlled speed with the ball close. The move works best when the defender is about to make a challenge.
- Stop the ball with your sole. Place the sole of your stronger foot on top of the ball, just as the defender gets close.
- Drag the ball back and start spinning. Pull the ball back toward you as you plant that foot and begin to turn, rotating so your back faces the defender. Your body now shields the ball.
- Keep turning in the same direction. Continue the rotation on the balls of your feet. Do not stop halfway.
- Use your other sole. Put the sole of your other foot on the ball and drag it in the direction you want to go as you finish the spin.
- Explode away. Take a positive touch into space and accelerate. The defender will often be facing the wrong way.
Start slowly. Once the footwork feels natural, practice it from both sides so you can spin in either direction.
Common Mistakes
- Spinning too early. If you start the turn when the defender is far away, they simply wait for you on the other side.
- Losing contact with the ball. Each sole drag should be short and controlled. Big pulls send the ball out of reach.
- Standing up straight. Stay low with bent knees, like Maradona, so you keep balance through the spin.
- Not shielding. The point of the turn is to keep your body between the ball and the defender. Turn your back to them, not your side.
- Slowing down after the move. Without acceleration at the end, the defender recovers.
- Using it everywhere. The spin is a tool for tight pressure, not a move to repeat on every touch.
Practice Session: Maradona Turn Drill
This 30-minute session works for players around age 8 and up. You need a ball, four to six cones and a partner for the later stages.
- Sole roll warm-up (5 minutes): Roll the ball side to side and front to back with the sole of each foot. Then practice dragging the ball back with one foot and stopping it with the other.
- Stationary spins (5 minutes): With no defender, do the full turn on the spot. Do 10 reps starting with the right foot and 10 starting with the left. Focus on smooth footwork.
- Cone approach (8 minutes): Set a cone 10 yards ahead as a defender. Dribble at it, perform the turn about a yard away and exit to the side into a cone gate. Do 8 reps on each side.
- Passive pressure (6 minutes): A partner jogs at you as you receive the ball. Use the spin to roll away from their pressure and dribble through a gate. Rotate after 5 reps.
- Live 1v1 to gates (6 minutes): In a 15 by 15-yard square with a gate on each side, the attacker scores by dribbling through any gate. Give a bonus point for a successful spin turn.
The Coerver Angle
The spin turn is a perfect example of how Coerver Coaching builds players. First comes ball mastery, with lots of sole rolls and drag-backs done in repetition until they are automatic. Then players learn the move itself, and finally they use it in 1v1 and small-sided games where they must decide when to spin and when to pass or dribble. Moves like this give young players the confidence to keep the ball under pressure, which is exactly what made Maradona so special.
Keep learning with Zidane’s roulette spin move, explore more soccer turns and cuts, and watch the Kaka spin move for another variation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Maradona move in soccer?
It is a 360-degree spin turn where you drag the ball back with one sole, spin with your back to the defender, and drag it away with the other sole to escape pressure.
Is the Maradona the same as the Zidane roulette?
Yes. The same move is called the Maradona, the roulette, the Zidane roulette and the Marseille turn, depending on where you learned it.
When should I use the Maradona turn in a game?
Use it when a defender is closing in and you need to keep the ball while changing direction, especially in midfield or along the sideline. It works best when the defender is committed to a challenge.
Did Maradona win the World Cup?
Yes. Maradona captained Argentina to the 1986 World Cup title in Mexico.
