What skills are not allowed in football?

Banned Skills and Tricks in Football: What’s Off-Limits?

Football is a game of flair, creativity, and skill—but even the most dazzling moves have their limits. While players like Neymar have pushed the boundaries of what’s possible on the pitch, not every trick makes the referee’s approval list.

Some techniques, though impressive, are officially banned for safety or sportsmanship reasons. The “donkey kick” or “bicycle over head” move—where a player flips the ball backward over their head with acrobatic flair—is one such forbidden stunt, often deemed dangerous or showy. Similarly, tricks like the “knee trap” or “seal dribble”, where the ball is balanced on the head or controlled like a seal, may entertain fans but risk disciplinary action for unsporting behavior.

Then there’s the infamous “hidden ball trick”, popularized in youth and amateur games, which was briefly tested at higher levels by players like Solly March. However, referees now crack down on such deception, especially if it delays play or misleads opponents.

Even penalty routines aren’t immune. While not an outright ban, Neymar’s dramatic pauses during penalties drew so much controversy around 2010 that governing bodies tightened rules on time-wasting and psychological gamesmanship during spot-kicks. Now, excessive hesitation can draw a yellow card.

Goalkeepers, too, have their limits. Argentina’s Emiliano Martinez stirred debate with his mind games during penalty shootouts—taunting takers, slow routines, and theatrical gestures. While not illegal per se, FIFA has since emphasized that goalkeepers cannot leave the line before the kick is taken or engage in unsporting antics meant to distract.

And no matter how clever it seems, scoring directly from a throw-in is impossible by the rules—since the ball can’t enter the goal without another player touching it first.

Football rewards creativity, but within bounds. The line between brilliance and banishment? It’s thinner than you think.