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Unlock the the Art of Nutmegging
Step onto the field where creativity meets strategy—our Nutmeg Clinic is here to unlock the secrets of the ultimate soccer skill, blending finesse, deception, and cutting-edge sports science to help you pull off this legendary move against any opponent!
At the heart of this mastery is a deep understanding of strategy and deception—principles that Coach Eryck Avila ties to Sun Tzu’s The Art of War.
“All nutmegging is based on deception”
Feint and Distract
Give subtle body cues that you’re moving one way—dip your shoulder, shift your hips, or look in a certain direction—before sliding the ball the opposite way through the defender’s legs.
False Intentions
Another trick is to act like you’re preparing a standard pass or dribble around the defender, then quickly poke it through their legs when they commit.
These principles of deception—feinting and distracting and creating false intentions—are central to a concept coined by Coach Eryck Avila, Geometric Loading. This innovative approach, which serves as the foundation of successful nutmegging, explores how players can manipulate space, angles, and movement to create openings where none seem to exist.
Geometric loading will be a key highlight of the Avila Soccer Masterclass Sports Science Clinic on Nutmegging, drawing from Coach Avila’s doctoral dissertation to give players an in-depth understanding of how to apply these core tactics in high-pressure game situations.
Want to explore how ancient strategy meets modern soccer?
Discover how Sun Tzu’s principles—like “attacking where they are unprepared,” and “seizing opportunities in chaos” connect to the key tactical elements of nutmegging.
Why Join?
High-Intensity Experience
Confidence Building
Game-Changing Skills
Exclusive Training
Real-Time Tips and Advice
Video Analysis
Clinic Details
Summer 2025
Date
Sat, May 31, 2025
Time
1:00p–2:30p Ages 4-7, 8-11
2:30p–4:00p Ages 8-11, 12-16
Cost
$200
Location
Avila Soccer - Lakeway
Purchase Nutmeg Clinic
$200
$125 from Mar 17–May 1
Fall 2025
Date
Sat, Nov 1, 2025
Time
1:00p–2:30p Ages 4-7, 8-11
2:30p–4:00p Ages 8-11, 12-16
Cost
$200
Location
Avila Soccer - South Austin
Purchase Nutmeg Clinic
$200
$125 from Aug 17–Oct 1
Get all 7 Avila-Exclusive Clinics with a Seasonal Clinic Pass
Imagine the game-changing results! And parents—rest easy, if your child misses any clinic, it can be substituted for another or carried over to the next season. Only $350.
Already training at Avila? Add a Seasonal Clinic Pass for just $100
Mastering the Nutmeg: Applying Sun Tzu’s Tactics to Outsmart Defenders
“Attack where they are unprepared; appear where you are not expected”
Identify the Defender’s Weak Foot or Stance
If you know the opponent is bracing themselves or leaning heavily to one side, that may create a bigger opening between their legs.
Seize the Moment
A nutmeg often works best when the defender is off-balance or unaware—like immediately after a change of direction or a quick give-and-go pass from a teammate.
“He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared”
Prepare Your First Touch
Make sure your first touch puts the ball in a position where you can execute the nutmeg if the gap appears. Without good control, you won’t be able to seize these split-second opportunities.
Read the Defender
Watch for that moment of hesitation—maybe they’ve overcommitted to tackle or are focusing on your upper body. Timing is everything.
“In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity”
Use Crowded Situations to Your Advantage
Sometimes defenders get overconfident in busy areas (e.g., near the sideline or in traffic around the box). In chaotic moments, they might not expect a perfectly timed nutmeg.
Quick Transitions
In a fast break or counterattack, defenders often scramble to regain shape. That confusion gives you the opening to slip the ball through.
“Ponder and deliberate before you make a move”
Study Your Opponent’s Habits
If you’ve played against or watched this defender before, notice patterns. Do they lunge in quickly? Do they keep a wide stance to tackle? When you see their typical reactions, you can better plan your moment.
Stay Calm Under Pressure
Composure is key. A nutmeg shouldn’t be forced; it should be a natural exploitation of the space given.
While the thrill of pulling off a nutmeg can be euphoric, remember, as in The Art of War, it’s not just about the fancy move but about the strategic advantage. Sometimes the cunning move is to pass simply or maneuver around a defender. But when you see that opening—when they’re caught between lunging forward and watching your next move—slip the ball through, and watch the crowd (or your teammates) erupt.
Finally, keep it sporting. A nutmeg is exciting, but it’s also a chance for creativity and humility. If it fails, learn from it; if it succeeds, don’t gloat—keep playing. In the end, whether on or off the field, we live in the splendor of a world that affords us moments of creativity. We can delight in these opportunities—and a nutmeg is one such place where skill and joy converge in a beautiful (and sometimes cheeky) moment.
