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Freestyle football

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Freestyle football, also known as freestyle soccer in North America, is the art of expressing yourself with a football, while performing various tricks with any part of the body. Similar in style to keepie uppie and kemari, it has become a widespread sport across the world and is practised by many people.

Increase in popularity

Freestyle football has existed for some time, but it has seen a surge in popularity as a result of global advertising campaigns and digital media sharing. In the early 21st century, Nike began an advertising campaign which relied heavily on the freestyle form of football, including video clips of freestyle performances. These advertisements featured famous players such as Ronaldinho and Edgar Davids. Many link such mass media attention to the start of the freestyle craze. In the YouTube era, however, many previously non-famous players have risen to prominence, and internet searches easily yield thousands of videos by amateur "freestylers" around the world.

Some of the more notable freestylers include: Hee Young Woo (Mr. Woo) of South Korea and John Farnworth, who appeared in Britain's Got Talent in 2009. With Sweden the Netherlands are considered the best country in the world regarding freestyle, streetfootball (straatvoetbal) and futsal. In South America, Arthur Mansilla is the current Brazilian champion and regarded by many to be one of the top 10 freestylers in the world (more info on his official website http://www.brasilfreestyle.com).


Freestyle competitions

Shortly after, Nike launched a freestyle football competition on the internet "Nike Football", in which participants could submit their own clips and receive feedback from a worldwide audience.

In December 2006 the "Masters of The Game" competition, held in Amsterdam and was won by John Farnworth. Nutmeg or Panna and other street football competitions have been held featuring street soccer players such as Edward Van Gils 'Edje', Issy Hitman, and Jermaine Vanenburg 'Vaantje'.

In 2007 there was a competition in Latin America called Red Bull Reaccion.

Also in 2007 Redbull futbol de calle was held in NYC's Webster Hall.

The French Arnaud "Séan" Garnier is the first world champion of Street Style Soccer, with an impeccable performance. The final of the Red Bull Street Style competition was held in Brazil In November 2008. Arnaud Garnier "Séan" beat out the other 42 competitors to win the competition.[1]

Freestyle in the media

List of Freestyle tricks

File:Football Freestyle - Crossover.gif
The Crossover

The Crossover - one of the most simple tricks. The Crossover is used among many professional football jugglers, as well as beginners. The trick involves the art of juggling (keeping the ball in the air with one or both feet) and then with the chosen foot the person kicks the ball up slightly, and uses the other foot to go up and over the ball, while the chosen foot crosses the other leg slightly in the air and pushes the ball up to keep juggling.

File:Arounf the world step by step.gif
Around the world

Around The World - involves the art of juggling (keeping the ball in the air using both feet) and then with the chosen foot, the person kicks the ball up slightly, and as soon as the foot leaves the ball they start to rotate their foot around the ball. The foot has to completely go around the ball in a 360 degree motion for the trick to be completed. And when it does, it is awesome.

File:Football Freestyle - inside htw.gif
Hop the world

Hop the world - jumping over and around the ball in a 'hopping' motion which in turn looks similar to Around the world. The first step involves juggling of the ball, followed by kicking the ball up into the air with the chosen foot. Once the ball is at its highest point, the person should hop its opposite foot over and around the ball (same as ATW). The only main difference between the two tricks is that there is a slight jump involved.

References