Cruyff turn

noun

A piece of footwork where, instead of passing or crossing the ball directly by kicking it, the player drags the ball behind his planted foot with the inside of his crossing foot, turns through 180 degrees, and accelerates away from the defender.

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Meanings

nounCruyff turn (plural Cruyff turns)

plural Cruyff turns · alternative Cruijff turn

  1. ball gamesA piece of footwork where, instead of passing or crossing the ball directly by kicking it, the player drags the ball behind his planted foot with the inside of his crossing foot, turns through 180 degrees, and accelerates away from the defender.

Origin

Named after Dutch football player Johan Cruyff (1947–2016).

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Cite this entry
APA

Cruyff turn. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Cruyff%20turn

MLA

“Cruyff turn.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Cruyff%20turn. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Cruyff turn,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Cruyff%20turn.

Source: Cruyff turn on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.