You know, in all my years covering soccer, I've rarely seen a coach's philosophy click into place as perfectly as it did watching LA Tenorio with Gilas Youth Pilipinas. I was in San Fernando, Pampanga that day, and something about the way he moved on the training ground reminded me why mastering fundamental moves isn't just practice—it's what separates good players from field dominators. Tenorio wasn't just running drills; he was building a language of movement, and honestly, I think every aspiring player needs to learn that same vocabulary.
Let me start with what I consider the non-negotiables. The step-over isn't just flashy—it's psychology. When executed at 70-80% speed with that slight hesitation, it creates just enough doubt in your opponent to open passing lanes you wouldn't believe. I've seen players gain an extra 2-3 seconds of decision-making time just by mastering this one move. Then there's the Cruyff turn, which personally, I think is underrated in modern play. It's not about the 180-degree spin; it's about using your entire body to shield the ball while changing direction. I remember counting at least 12 successful Cruyff turns during that Gilas Youth practice session, each creating immediate separation from imaginary defenders.
The body feint works differently. Tenorio emphasized loading 60% of your weight onto your standing leg before exploding in the opposite direction—it's physics and deception working together. And the elastico? Don't even get me started. When done right, the ball should never travel more than 18 inches from your foot throughout the entire motion. It's tight, controlled, and absolutely devastating against defenders who overcommit. What surprised me watching the Gilas training was how much time they spent on simple push-pull techniques. It looks basic, but when you combine it with sudden acceleration, it becomes incredibly difficult to defend against.
Now, the Marseille turn requires something most players neglect—spatial awareness beyond immediate pressure. You need to sense where the next defender is coming from before you even receive the ball. During scrimmages, I noticed Gilas players who mastered this completed 85% of their forward passes successfully after the turn. The fake shot is another favorite of mine because it leverages something fundamental about defenders: they'll almost always bite on shooting motions. The key is making your fake 90% identical to your actual shooting form—anything less and you won't sell it.
The chop move changes games. I've tracked players who use it effectively gain an average of 8-10 yards of advantage immediately after execution. Then there's the roll-over, which Tenorio had players practicing at three different speeds—slow for control, medium for game situations, and fast for counterattacks. The rainbow flick? I'll be honest—I used to think it was just for show. But watching how Gilas players used it to bypass tight marking in the final third changed my perspective. It's high-risk, but when it works, it breaks defensive lines completely.
The final move—the simple change of pace—might be the most important. Data from top leagues shows players who vary their speed by more than 40% between moves complete 25% more successful dribbles. Tenorio had his players training this specifically, alternating between jogging and explosive bursts within 5-yard segments.
What struck me most in Pampanga wasn't the individual moves, but how Tenorio connected them. He didn't want players who could do ten moves; he wanted players who could chain three moves together fluidly. That's the real secret—not just having tools, but knowing how to combine them. The Gilas players who stood out weren't necessarily the most technically gifted, but those who understood the rhythm of when to deploy each move. That's what creates unstoppable players—the wisdom behind the technique.
