Johan Cruyff

"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn) 03/25/2016 at 10:15 • Filed to: johan cruyff

3

2

My boys play soccer, and I have been known to watch a game on TV now and then. But I don’t follow the sport closely, and had never heard of Johan Cruyff until his death yesterday. So I thought I’d do a little YouTubing and check him out. Two things strike me about this compilation. The first is his incredible dribbling skill, his ability to change direction with speed and leave defenders flailing the air. It’s really quite astonishing. The second, and perhaps more important, is how he keeps his feet. Most modern players would dive and writhe in faux agony, hoping to draw a foul at the first contact. Not Cruyff (at least in these examples). He plays through the contact, keeps his feet, keeps attacking. There is no cynicism, just supreme skill, hard work and determination. Modern footballers should take note.

Matt Nichelson > ttyymmnn 03/25/2016 at 10:54

1

I was listening to Talk Sport yesterday when news broke of his death. Sad to hear. Many put him up there with George Best and Pelé. He was definitely one of the greats of his time.

wantafuncar > ttyymmnn 03/25/2016 at 12:27

0

There is a move named after him (or at least that is how it was referred to when I was playing).

Cruyff is a legend. If your boys want to pick up moves, I highly recommend they watch old videos of Maradona, Cruyff, Best, or perhaps even more recent players like Giggs or (it pains me to say this but) Ronaldo. My guess is most of the kids they play against only know “Zomg Rooney / Messi” and so they’ll be watching moves their competition isn’t familiar with... nothing wrong with imitating to improve.