The Cristiano Ronaldo spin move shown in this video is as much a training exercise as a game move. Ronaldo uses the inside of his foot to spin the ball and his body around, protecting the ball as he turns. Master it and you’ll find it much easier to turn away from pressure, shield the ball and change direction in tight spaces.
Here’s how to do the Ronaldo spin, when to use it in a game, and a practice routine to make it second nature.
What Is the Ronaldo Spin Move?
It’s a turn where you use the inside of your foot to drag the ball around as your body spins, keeping your body between the defender and the ball. It’s closely related to other spins and turns, like the Zidane roulette, but it uses the inside of the foot rather than the sole.
How to Do the Ronaldo Spin: Step by Step
- Start with the ball at your feet and a defender (or cone) close by.
- Place the inside of your right foot on the far side of the ball.
- Pull the ball across your body as you start to turn to the left.
- Keep spinning, using small touches with the inside of the foot so the ball stays close.
- Shield the ball with your body throughout the turn.
- Exit in the new direction with a burst of speed.
When to Use the Spin in a Game
- When a defender is pressing you from behind or the side.
- When you receive with your back to goal and need to turn.
- Near the touchline, to escape a defender pushing you out.
Why Practise the Spin as a Drill?
Even if you rarely do a full spin in a game, practising it builds:
- Inside-of-the-foot control: the foundation of most turns.
- Balance: spinning with the ball trains your body to stay stable.
- Shielding: learning to keep your body between the ball and the defender.
- Confidence under pressure: you’ll be less likely to panic when closed down.
As Ronaldo himself has said, he feels “an endless need to learn, to improve, to evolve.” That attitude to practice is a big part of what made him great.
A 10-Minute Spin Move Routine
- Slow spins (2 minutes): spin in place with the right foot, then the left.
- Half spins (2 minutes): turn 180 degrees and dribble away.
- Cone spins (3 minutes): dribble at a cone, spin away just before it, then accelerate.
- Passive defender (3 minutes): a partner applies light pressure from behind. Spin and play forward.
Common Mistakes
- Ball too far away: keep it within inches.
- Standing up straight: stay low with knees bent.
- Spinning without looking: know where you’re going before you turn.
- No acceleration: burst away after the spin.
More Cristiano Ronaldo Skills
Learn more of Ronaldo’s skills in our guides to Cristiano Ronaldo’s best moves, the Ronaldo chop and his warm-up routine.
Turning Skills and the Coerver Method
At Coerver Coaching, turns and changes of direction are a key part of our 1v1 curriculum. We teach them first in ball mastery, then add pressure step by step, so players can use them in games, not just in practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Ronaldo spin a real game move?
It can be, but it’s especially valuable as a training exercise to build close control, balance and turning skills.
What’s the difference between the Ronaldo spin and the Zidane roulette?
The Ronaldo spin uses the inside of the foot; the roulette uses the sole of both feet.
How long does it take to learn?
A few weeks of regular practice is enough to perform it smoothly at slow speed.
Want to pull off moves like these?
Coerver Moves breaks down the 1v1 moves the world’s best players use, step by step on video, so you can practise them at home and use them in games.
