Faking, also known as a "fake," is a tactical maneuver. It involves feigning a particular action or intention to deceive your opponents and create opportunities. Faking is a versatile skill that can be used in different contexts for a variety of purposes.
Faking during dribbling involves making your opponent believe you're about to make a move or take a shot, only to change your direction or speed at the last moment. This can create space and disrupt the defender's positioning. When approaching the goal, a player may fake a shot to make the opposing goalkeeper jump or commit to a save. Once the goalkeeper is out of position, the player can adjust their shot or dribble the ball into the net. This is a common use of faking.
Faking isn't limited to offensive plays. Defenders can use fakes to bluff an attempt to challenge the ball, causing the attacking player to make a premature move. Fakes are also used as a mind game strategy to force your opponent to make an early commitment or decision. For example, you can fake an aerial maneuver to make an opponent jump prematurely.