Seal dribble

The seal dribble is a football move. It is performed by flicking the ball up from the ground onto the head, whereby the player then proceeds to run past opponents, whilst bouncing the ball on top of his forehead. The seal dribble makes it very hard for the defending team to challenge legally. This is due to the awkward height at which the ball is whilst the maneuver is performed, and means that many attempted challenges are dangerous and may result in fouls.

Kerlon a Brazilian midfielder who plays for Chievo Verona is the most prolific user of this move, whilst former Bolton Wanderers Norwegian striker Daniel Braaten is also capable of performing the move in match situations.

Kerlon

The move has been famously, if controversially, used by Kerlon who is said to have learned it from his father. Kerlon first used the move at the U17 South American Youth Championship.

The speed at which Kerlon travels when doing this, coupled with his unique ability to change direction as he runs with the ball above his head, often leaves opponents resorting to simply pushing him over and fouling him due to the difficulty of legal challenging him.

Kerlon's dribble has aroused much controversy within Brazilian football, when he used it in the Belo Horizonte Derby, contested between Cruzeiro and Atlético Mineiro, Mineiro right wingback Coelho, made a heavy tackle that saw him sent off. There has been much debate as whether the was Red card was warranted, with at one point Brazilian legend Dunga stating that he thought the offense for which Coelho was sent off was nothing more than a 'normal tackle'. Ultimately though Coelho had made no attempt to play the ball, which is required for a tackle to be considered legal, and was subsequently banned for four months. Atlético and Coelho appealed the ban.

Dunga also stated that he "wanted to see Kerlon try the dribble when his team were losing". Indicating his discontent with the manner in which player uses the Seal Dribble. Reuters, (27 September, 2007) [http://uk.reuters.com/article/UK_WORLDFOOTBALL/idUKB52860520070927 Soccer-Brazilian player banned four months for seal dribble foul] ]

Many players within the Brazilian league consider the move disrespectful to the players opponents, with Atlético coach Emerson Leao has warned Kerlon he could get seriously injured if he tries the trick again, and then accused Kerlon of breaking an unwritten a code of ethics under which players avoid ridiculing the opposition. [SBS, 'The World Game', (27 September, 2007) [http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/americas/player-banned-for-kerlon-foul-96421/ Player banned for Kerlon foul] ] [Metro, 'Sport Football', (28 September, 2007) [http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/football/article.html?in_article_id=67976&in_page_id=43 Brazilian banned for seal slaying] ]

Whilst Cruzeiro argue in Kerlon's defense that he has done nothing illegal, and is simply producing the footballing artistry for which Brazilian football is famous.

References