The Lambretta

It was 1992, that I went from inspiration to mastery of the Rainbow, and I have been having fun ever since. No one knew what to call such a trick back then.

People felt it was awesome to see it in actual games. My best friends insist it was I who introduced the Rainbow around the country! I dunno about that, but surely it is after much of my demonstrating and executing of the move that I see some people start using it.

The only thing that I am definitely proud of is that I had no one taught me or demonstrated the move to me. I just stayed behind in school one particular evening, and kept thinking about a trick that would enable me to get the ball past a player or the keeper, and opens up the option of an off the ground volley for which I have a natural penchant.

My soccer mate laughed at my wasting of time, and after ridiculing me, left me alone for home. I ended my six hour training by midnight and went home totally tired with cramps but relieved that my desired special move was taking shape.

It is a very rarely seen trick, being even more rarely executed in an actual game. In the years before there was the internet, only those who had seen it executed it in person, marvelled at the possibility and attractiveness of it. Now with the world accessible through the internet, tricks like the rainbow kick, the Rabona, and hundreds of other skills are readily available to those who seek them.

As a note of memorandum, the Rainbow is not the same as the Rai's Flick. The Rainbow kick is also called the Lambretta trick, Arco Iris (in Spain), or the Ardiles Flick.

ehow.com describes "Although not necessarily a practical move during a game, the rainbow is a fancy way to begin juggling. It's a move sure to impress your friends."

I agree more with wikihow.com's "The Rainbow is an offensive tool that, while being very impressive, can also put the defender on your back while you keep running."

Wikipedia writes: The trick is an impressive show of skill, sometimes seen in street soccer. It is rarely used in modern professional football, as it has a relatively low success rate, but players with high confidence and skill may attempt it from time to time. Brazilian players such as Pelé and Djalminha are among those who have used this trick. The rainbow kick was performed at the 2002 FIFA World Cup when Turkey's İlhan Mansız, in what was described as a "sombrero" move of "outrageous skill", flicked the ball over both his head and the head of Brazil's world-class side-back Roberto Carlos, forcing Carlos into a foul.

Of course some people may discourage you from doing tricks in a game; usually those who are more used to the push and run type of gameplay, or those who dunno how to do one themselves! LOL. There are also those that focus on other factors like team spirit, team movement and tactical battle which in my opinion are vital to winning a match.

A final note though, if no one had told you yet... being able to pull-off a trick and out-manouvre your opponent is one of the best feeling in the world. Experienced and Guaranteed.