It goes without saying that doing tricks and fancy moves makes the game of football a much more exciting game to watch. Let’s face it, Ronaldinho would not be the best in the world if we saw him playing the style of football the English play. If you don’t know what I mean, it’s something along the lines of long balls sent all the way to the attackers who run with the ball using pure strength and speed to get past the opposition, which compared to the other leagues, lacks technical ability. Now, it’s the techniques that Ronaldinho knows and practices that make him a great player. What’s more, he knows when it’s the right time to use these different tricks and techniques during a game. How is this? Because he tries these moves whenever he can, however, understands the importance of being in the right place at the right time.

Time And Place Is Important

I’m going to use scenarios now to get you thinking about when you would execute the technique you want to do, and seeing as how this is a blog dedicated to Ronaldinho, lets go with the classic Elastico. But before I list the scenarios, here is a quick look at the Elastico for those who don’t know what I’m talking about.

So now that you see what I’m talking about and what the technique entails, I want you to figure out which ones seem to be the better situations to try the Elastico or any other technique for that matter. Remember we are talking about the situation for the team, not field position and how many people you’ve come up against on the field. So, here they are:

1. Scoreline: You are winning 1-0
Time: 79th minute
Story: The opposition is fighting to draw up the game. Your team is struggling to land that final blow to secure the win.

2. Scoreline: You are losing 1-0
Time: 33rd minute
Story: The opposition is defending everything you throw at them. Your team needs something to happen.

3. Scoreline: You are winning 3-0
Time: 69th minute
Story: The game is in the bag and right now you are playing a relaxed game.

4. Scoreline: You are losing 3-0
Time: 44th minute
Story: The opposition have thumped three goals past your team before the half time whistle has gone

Which One(s) Did You Choose?

If you went with 2 and 3, you are wise and congratulations is in order for you. Let me explain both situations. For number 2, If you have thrown everything at the defense, an Elastico is something they won’t see coming and being only 33 minutes into the game, it’s not a bad idea to try it. On the other hand, for number 3, being 3 goals up allows you to try different things, but as a wise footballer, you would only try the Elastico when the right field position and opposition numbers presented themselves to you.

What About The Other Situations?

For number 1, there is only a lead of 1 goal and that means no risky business, especially when the technique possesses such difficulty. Your team still needs to attack, but there are safer ways to get that last goal you need. For the last situation I’ve listed there, if you are losing this badly, you probably haven’t got the passing and the finishing down pact. So that means, no moves, just pure two touch football which should see you get back in front. I hope many of you realise that Ronaldinho can do any trick he wants at any time, however, being a professional footballer means that you need to be responsible and put the team ahead of you own personal glory, that way when you wow the crowd, you do so while you’re also winning the game for the team.