Khimki · Moscow · the GINGA method
Ginga (ginga) — the soul of Brazilian football
Ginga is the swaying, rhythmic movement of the body from which all the Brazilian magic with the ball is born: feints, dribbling, freedom and unpredictability. Our academy is named after it — we train kids aged 4–16 in the GINGA method, where technique grows out of play and enjoyment, not drilling.
What ginga is
The word "ginga" literally means "swing". It's a continuous, rhythmic movement of the torso and legs, by which a Brazilian player constantly "deceives" the opponent: the body goes one way, the ball goes another. Ginga is not a single trick but the very way of moving from which dribbling, beating a man and the famous Brazilian unpredictability all grow.
Rhythm and sway
The body is always in motion, weight flowing from foot to foot — the opponent can't read where the player will go.
Deception through movement
A feint starts not with the feet but with the torso. Ginga is the art of showing one thing and doing another.
Creativity and freedom
Ginga encourages invention: the child looks for their own solution rather than repeating a drilled pattern.
Coordination and body
Balance, agility, a sense of rhythm — ginga develops the whole body, not just ball work.
Technique from the game
Dribbling, control and shooting are learned in motion and in play — just as they are on the streets of Brazil.
Enjoyment
Ginga is about joy and self-expression. The child falls in love with the ball rather than "serving out" a session.
Where ginga comes from
Ginga is older than football itself. Its rhythm came from capoeira — the Brazilian martial-art-dance where body movement masks true intent — from samba with its sense of rhythm, and from street football, where on small pitches the one who could beat a man by agility rather than strength survived. All of it merged into the recognizable Brazilian style — from Garrincha and Pelé to Ronaldinho.
How ginga works in our training
The academy is named after this idea, and the GINGA method is the core of our sessions. We don't "set" technique apart from the game: in little ones ginga is built through playful coordination and rhythm drills, and in older kids and teenagers it turns into real feints, dribbling and beating a man. The coach is Tony Correa, from Brazil (FC Santos), for whom this style is native. A detailed breakdown is in the article "The Brazilian football method".
Ginga — by age and program
The style is learned step by step: ages 3–4 · age 5 · age 6 · age 7 · teenagers 13–16. Ginga grows fastest in one-on-one training. Girls learn it alongside: football for girls.
Want your child to play with ginga?
Start with a free session — the coach will show how Brazilian technique is born from rhythm and movement. We'll call back within 15 minutes during working hours.
Frequently asked questions
What is ginga in simple terms?
Ginga is the swaying, rhythmic movement of the body from which the Brazilian way of playing is born: feints, deception and freedom with the ball. Literally "ginga" means "swing". Its roots are in capoeira, samba and Brazilian street football. Ginga is what makes Brazilian football unpredictable and beautiful.
Can a child be taught ginga?
Yes. Ginga is not an inborn talent but a skill of coordination, rhythm and body control that develops through specific drills and play. The earlier a child starts, the more naturally this way of moving comes. We build our training around this idea.
From what age is ginga taught?
From the very start — from age 4. In little ones ginga is built through playful coordination and agility drills. In older kids and teenagers it turns into technique: dribbling, beating a defender, feints in a real game. The format is matched to age.
How is ginga different from ordinary technique?
Ordinary technique is executing moves correctly. Ginga adds rhythm, deception and creativity: the child doesn't just dribble but beats an opponent through body movement. That's what sets the Brazilian school apart — technique for the game and enjoyment, not drilling.
Where do the GINGA-method sessions take place?
In Khimki at Kudryavtseva St., 10B and in Moscow at Capitol Mall on Pravoberezhnaya St., 1B. The coach is Tony Correa, from Brazil (FC Santos). Come to a free trial session or call +7 925 337-55-05.