Rainbow kick

The rainbow kick (also called the Reverse flick-over, the Rainbow flick, the Carretilha or the Lambreta in Brazil, the Lambretta in Italy, the Brazilian in Romania, the Ardiles flick in the UK, the Arco iris in Spain, the Okocha-Trick in Germany and the Coup du sombrero in France)[1][2][3][4] is a trick used in association football, in which a player steps to the side of the ball and flicks it up. The trajectory of the ball gives the trick its name. The trick is usually performed while running forward with the ball, and is done by rolling the ball up the back of one leg with the other foot, before flicking the standing foot upwards to propel the ball forward and over the head.

There are some variations of the rainbow flicks, such as the Advanced rainbow flick, and one popularized by Neymar, the Neymar Rocket.

The advanced rainbow flick involves flicking up the ball to your waist, (sometimes using the Ronaldinho flick-up.) and hitting the ball with the outside of your boot, while also leaning forward. The Neymar Rocket is similar to the normal Rainbow flick, however, instead of rolling the ball up your leg, you lock the ball tightly between your legs, specifically the ankles. Simultaneously, lean forward, and jump while keeping a tight grip in the air, with the legs coming up at a side. When the ball reaches knee height, release your top foot and lob the ball over with your bottom foot.

  1. ^ Sprechen sie Fußball?, Paul Doyle, guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 8 March 2006
  2. ^ Rainbow Kick (Lambretta) tutorial Archived 2008-07-11 at the Wayback Machine, from fifa2008.wordpress.com, accessed 12 July 2008
  3. ^ Witzig (2006), page 23
  4. ^ Naked Translations, Coup du sombrero, accessed 7 May 2012