The rainbow kick (also called the reverse flick-over, the rainbow flick USA, the Carretilha or the Lambreta Brazil as well as in Italy the Lambretta, the Ardiles flick UK, arco iris Spain , the Okocha-Trick in Germany and aile de pigeon France)[1][2][3] is a trick used in association football, in which a player steps over the ball and flicks it off the ground from behind them, and forward over their head in an arc. The trajectory of the ball gives this trick its name. The trick is usually performed while running forward with the ball, and is done by rolling the ball up the back of one leg with the other foot, before flicking the standing foot upwards to propel the ball forward and over the head.
The trick is an impressive show of skill, sometimes seen in street soccer.[4] 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, Djalminha and Robinho are among those who have used this trick.[5] 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.[6] Sometimes the use of tricks like the rainbow kick are seen as showboating and disrespectful to the opposing team. In March 2008, the Sheffield Wednesday player Franck Songo'o, on his debut loan appearance for the Championship side against Queens Park Rangers, attempted the trick in the closing minutes of the game, which Wednesday were leading, with one match report commenting that the referee "quickly called a halt to proceedings as Rangers players piled in threatening to lynch the Frenchman".[7]
The rainbow kick appears in a famous sequence in the 1981 film Escape to Victory, when the trick is used by the character played by Ossie Ardiles, which led to the name of "Ardiles flick". One review described it thus: "the all time special effects highlight being when Ossie Ardiles flicks the ball over his head".[8][9]
The trick has also been featured in football computer games, including FIFA 08, where it is described as "One of the most famous soccer moves".[2]