I am a forward and usually I use stepovers and tricks to beat my defender, however, I was wondering if someone could explain to me an easier way to beat defenders by cuts and changes in acceleration and how I can improve on this?

One of the best ways to beat an opponent is change of pace. The thing I have noticed about most strikers who are untrained, or who have had little of no coaching, is that they get the ball and run hell for leather. This has a number of problems:

1. You reduce the effectiveness of support from team mates.
2. Controlling the ball is harder.
3. Inefficient use of energy.
4. Makes it easier for a defender to tackle or challenge you (obviously if you've got space to penetrate, then go for it at full speed, there are always occasions you can do that).

but most importantly ...

5. At full throttle you can't change direction as easily, your straight line speed is great, but moving your weight off your centre of gravity makes you unbalanced and weak.
6. You have no change of pace, apart from to slow down!

Now, here's what you'll notice with some of the best ball carriers, wingers, players who beat people.

Let's take the left wing position as an example. LM receives the ball and turns asap so he's facing the opposition (see this post for info). Rather than attack the RB at full speed with the ball (see above points in this post) he'll attack the player but at 60-70% of maximum pace .... then when it comes to the crucial moment, he'll either hit that extra 30% of pace, or combine it with a dummy or skill and thus skin the defender. Sometimes, you'll see them attack at full speed .... ease off ... then burst with speed again, but the effect is the same.

With a LM, really he'd want to get round the outside primarily (assuming there's not an attacking play set up to allow him to cut in), so by 'drifiting' towards the RB, he then adds the extra pace and drives round the outside. For the defender, he always has to react to the ball carrier. How does he react to a change of pace ? He can't but to change his own pace once he reacts to the ball carrier, but remember, he's facing him so that's difficult. He can't change his pace BEFORE the ball carrier does, what's he going to do? Dive in? Run off in another direction? This is why you see RBs and LBs turning side on as if they're facing the wrong way, you think, huh, how's he gonna tackle like that, well, he's encouraging the ball carrier to one side or the other so he can challenge him in a more even contest. Some defenders prefer it, some don't.

'Drifting' towards your opponent also allows you to get that crucial skill right, and scares the crap out of the defender himself, because he knows something is coming but has no idea what. Running at full pelt is easier to tackle for a defender as I mentioned, it's more of an intercepting block because the ball carrier cannot alter direction as drastically.

Also, beating players is made easier by finding yourself space as a striker. It's, once again, not something that can be easily described. It's a visual practice that must be discussed and shown in training so you can show different options an outcomes. As you move up to a different level, the better coaches will show striker runs and how to make space for yourself and others.

In the meantime, watch football on tv, and rather than enjoying the game, pick out a striker and watch:

What he does when his team gains possession.
Where his area of influence is on the pitch.
Where/when he moves when his team has an attack building.
Where/when he moves when his team has a counter attack.
Where/when he walks, runs, jogs.
Where/when he moves when the attack is coming through his channel (important).
Where/when he moves when the attack is in any of the other channels.
Timing of his runs to get onto through balls, or crosses.
When/where/how/why he makes space for other players.

The list is endless.

Once a good coach shows you what players really do for each other in terms of making space, in Serie A, La Liga and EPL, you'll start watching games in a completely different way. You'll see patterns emerging. You'll laugh out loud because you knew what was going to happen watching the attack building before the opposition playing them did !!! You'll realise that there are many options and start putting yourself in that same situation (and when you think about it, practice it, and play again, you'll 'see' things in your own matches that you would never have seen before).

great advice

As a striker, i believe its the work thats done off the ball thats important..Make your defender feel as if he has a job on his hands by moving him around, test out how far his willing to push out of his defensive line to mark you. If his been ordered to man mark you anywhere you go, well you might have a tough time but this should open up gaps in their defence for your 2nd striker or midfielders to push into and make runs. As for tricks beating a defender, it all depends on their size,speed,strength. I've come up against some tough defenders and beating them was pretty much impossible.

So just take the time through trial and error in a game (should be early in a game) and try out run him or try a few simple moves to beat him. Once you've worked it out, should make things a little easier.

Thanks for the responses!

an easy way to get a defender off balance is a simple jab step to one side and take it to the other side then ur pace should be enough its simple but effective

well its not as easy as that sarrazin, most defenders these days expect the step one way trick, but if you have the pace,then yeah go for it

nutmeg, works everytime

No it doesnt.

If every time you get the ball you are looking to nutmeg the opponent then you'll get found out very quickly

OK it doesn't work if you try it all the time but if you do it once or twice a match it works fabulously i have found.

^yup true looks so stylish as well.