The Rainbow is for beating your marker in soccer. But this amazing soccer move is so disrespectful that there are talks of banning it in-game.
One player in particular who has used this move so much that caused opponents to lash out is Brazilian showman Neymar Jr., often considered one of the best players in the world.
In fact, the rainbow flick is a skill that many Brazilian players enjoy pulling off because their soccer is flashy.
In this article, you will learn how Neymar Jr., Vinicius Jr., and other Brazilians as well as soccer showmen, perform the rainbow flick.
Steps of Doing Rainbow Flick in Soccer
The first thing to know about the rainbow flick is in its name: it is a flick. Flicking a soccer ball means kicking it in a way that it rises into the air softly to land softly. A flick is different from a shot in that manner.
The next thing to know about a rainbow flick is also in its name: its flight pattern is an arc. It goes up from behind the player doing it and over them just like a rainbow arcs over the horizon.
Now that you understand these about the rainbow flick, it’s time to practice!
Practicing the Rainbow
To practice the rainbow, you need to know the three steps to performing it. Besides knowing the steps involved, you have to have a certain level of ball control.
This is important because the end of the move is to trap the ball and keep moving towards your opponent’s goal.
The steps for practicing the rainbow are below.
Use Your Dominant Foot to Roll the Ball Up Your Opposite Leg
Start in a stationary position with your dominant foot on the soccer ball. Some players prefer the ball on their non-dominant foot – either way is fine.
Next, roll the ball to the standing foot (your flicking foot), whether it’s your dominant foot or not This motion is what sets up the rest of the move in your practice.
This is very important: The part of your flicking foot that should be in contact with the ball is the ankle area.
Follow Through With Your Foot
Once you’ve practiced the step above and can confidently roll up the ball to your flicking foot, the next step is to follow through.
What does this mean?
Once the ball reaches the ankle of your flicking foot, lock it in place with the non-dominant/rolling foot.
This sets you up for the next step in performing the rainbow. When you lock the ball in place, roll up the ball as far as the joints between your foot and legs.
Land on Your Dominant Foot as You Kick the Ball With Your Heel
This next step is a jumping motion that assists in flicking the ball. Once the ball is up to your ankle joint, jump with your rolling/non-flicking foot, then in the same motion, lean forward and flick the ball so that it goes over your head.
This step can be difficult to get at first. Some people are unable to get the desired height for their rainbow, while some only manage to flick the ball straight up. The hack is to keep at it until you can flick the ball over your head in an arc.
Your landing is also as important as your jumping. Land with your dominant foot at all times to stabilize yourself because the last part of the rainbow is trapping the ball. You cannot do that while your dominant foot is still in the air.
Using the Rainbow on the Soccer
Now, practicing the rainbow flick can be difficult, but it’s even more difficult to use in a game.
Whether it’s a pickup game with your friends or a high school/college game, there are many chances to use the rainbow but not many options to do it successfully, of which a failure to do it successfully could spell disaster for your team.
You have the basics down pat. Now, follow the steps below to use it on a soccer field.
Place Your Dominant Foot’s Heel in Front of the Ball While Leaning Forward a Bit
Because it is primarily a skill move that helps you beat defenders, you have to be facing one. You don’t just perform a rainbow flick out of nowhere.
Now, when in front of a defender, place your dominant foot (or your flicking foot) in front of the ball and lean towards your marker. Quick-thinking defenders will clock it, so the rest is up to you.
Bring Your Non-dominant Foot Behind the Ball
With your flicking foot in position, place your non-dominant/non-flicking foot behind the ball. From practice, you should know what this step entails.
The difference between this step and how you practice outside a soccer field is that you are moving, and – most of the time – so is the ball. Bringing your non-flicking foot from behind helps you roll up the ball in this situation.
Use Your Dominant Foot to Sweep the Ball Up the Opposite Leg
With your flicking foot in place, get ready to execute the rainbow.
If you use your dominant foot to roll up the ball, use it to sweep it up your non-dominant foot which is your flicking foot in this scenario.
If your non-dominant foot is not your flicking foot, use your dominant foot to roll up the ball in preparation for the jump and flick.
Lean Forward and Kick the Ball Up With Your Heel
You’re already leaning forward at this stage, but now it’s time to execute the flick. Lean forward a little more, then jump with the ball on your flicking foot, release the ball, then keep it moving.
Always follow through by raising your flicking foot as high as possible because this helps to raise the ball high enough to beat the defender in front of you.
Final Thoughts
Not every player can be Neymar Jr., who can pull off a rainbow flick without thinking. Even at that, nothing the Brazilian can do comes naturally – he’s been playing the sport all his life and professionally since he was 16 years old.
Also, it is important to note that the rainbow flick is a very flashy move, which means it has a lot of obvious motions that defenders can make out as soon as the player sets them up.
However, the rainbow is a move that can win you dozens of fans because of how beautiful it looks in execution.