You know, sometimes I think we get a little too serious about football. We analyze tactics, debate the GOAT, and scrutinize every transfer. But at its heart, the beautiful game is about joy, creativity, and a bit of pure, unadulterated fun. That’s exactly what I want to talk about today. I’m diving into the world of those iconic, slightly crazy games from football legends—the kind of skills and playful moments that remind us why we fell in love with the sport in the first place. Mastering these isn't just about showboating; it’s about channeling that inventive spirit, that audacity that separates the greats from the merely good. It’s about unlocking a different kind of confidence on the pitch. Interestingly, this blend of individual flair and decisive contribution isn't unique to football. I was just reading about a basketball game where a player, let's say from NorthPort, didn't just score 28 points. He added three rebounds, a steal, and crucially, that one pivotal block on Aguilar in the final moments. That single defensive play was the crazy, game-winning highlight in a tight 119-116 victory, propelling his team to a 7-1 record at the top. It’s the same principle: one moment of inspired, almost playful brilliance can define an entire match.

Let’s start with a personal favorite of mine: the Elástico. Popularized by Ronaldinho, it’s the ultimate street-football move brought to the grandest stages. The way he’d feign to push the ball one way with the outside of his foot, only to snap it back with the inside in one fluid motion, was pure magic. It wasn't just effective; it was a statement. It told the defender, and everyone watching, that this was a man playing his own game. I’ve spent hours on the training ground trying to get that snap just right. The key, I’ve found, is in the initial sell. You have to commit your whole body to the fake, make the defender believe it completely. When you pull it off in a five-a-side game, the reaction is always worth it—a mix of groans from your opponent and pure delight from your teammates. It’s a low-percentage move, sure, but when it works, it’s a thing of beauty and it demoralizes the opposition like almost nothing else.

Then there’s the sheer audacity of the Rabona. To have the confidence, not to mention the flexibility, to kick the ball by wrapping your kicking leg behind your standing leg… it’s borderline ridiculous. And yet, when Erik Lamela scores a perfect one in the North London derby, you can’t help but applaud. I’ll be honest, I think it’s often overused in situations where a simple pass would do. But in the right moment—when your body is awkwardly angled and a cross needs just the right curl—it becomes a functional piece of genius, not just a trick. It’s the ultimate "because I can" move, and football needs a bit of that. It reminds me of that lone block in the basketball game I mentioned. The player could have just contested the shot normally, but that spectacular, highlight-reel swat was a choice. It was a Rabona on defense, a decision to solve a problem in the most emphatic and memorable way possible.

We can’t talk about crazy fun without mentioning the no-look pass. This is where the game becomes art. Kevin De Bruyne does it with such nonchalance it’s infuriatingly good. It’s not about hiding the ball; it’s about manipulating the entire field’s sightlines. You stare down one option, pulling three defenders with your gaze, while you slot the ball into a completely different corridor of space. It’s the ultimate sign of game intelligence and trust in your peripheral vision. I love practicing this because it forces you to feel the game rather than just see it. You have to know where your teammate is supposed to be, based on the run they started three seconds ago. It’s a cerebral kind of fun. And much like the single steal in that basketball stat line, it’s a disruptive, psychological play. It’s a message: "I see things you don’t."

Of course, the king of this playful domain for me will always be the Panenka penalty. The nerve. The sheer, breathtaking arrogance of it. To stand over a spot-kick in a crucial match, with the world watching, and decide to gently chip the ball straight down the middle while the goalkeeper dives… it’s either madness or brilliance. Antonín Panenka defined it in the 1976 Euros final, and players like Andrea Pirlo have since perfected the cool execution. I tried it once in a Sunday league match. We were already up 3-1, so the pressure was off, but my heart was still in my throat. The keeper went left, the ball floated center, and the feeling was incredible. It’s a different kind of thrill—not power, but precision and psychological warfare. It’s the offensive equivalent of that game-sealing block. It’s not just about scoring; it’s about how you choose to do it, leaving an indelible mark on the moment.

So, why spend time on these? In an era of gegenpressing and xG, these flashes of fun might seem like luxuries. But I firmly believe they are essential. They are the soul of the sport. They inspire kids in parks, they break the tension of a tight game, and they create the legends we talk about for decades. They are the individual moments of creativity that can tilt a balanced game, much like that one stat-filling performance of 28 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, and a block can secure a 119-116 win and solidify a top spot in the standings. Mastering a bit of this craziness isn't about neglecting the fundamentals; it's about expanding your toolkit with joy. It’s about remembering that football, at its best, is a game. So go out, try that Rabona in training, attempt the no-look pass in your next match. Unleash a little fun. You might just find it unlocks a new level of play, and more importantly, reminds you why you started playing in the first place. The scoreboard remembers the win, but everyone remembers the style.

LIGHTING, LIGHTING, AND MORE LIGHTING
People are typically drawn to bars solely based on their atmosphere. The best way to knock your next commercial bar design out of the park is using the perfect amount and type of lighting. Use standout light fixtures as their very own statement piece, track lighting for adjustable ambiance, hanging pendant lights over tables, and ambient backlighting to display the alcohol. Bartenders need to serve and customers need to order, so make sure it’s just functional as it is attractive. 

CHOOSING YOUR BARTOP
What may seem so obvious, is often so overlooked in commercial bar design- the material of your actual bartop itself. While we realize stone and marble are as classy and elegant-looking as can be, the reality is that they just aren’t your best option for a durable and long lasting bartop. They crack, have no grip, and break way too many glasses. Opt for a high-quality wood bar instead. Oaks, maples, mahoganies, and ashes are sturdy and provide your customers with a firm grip for their glasses. 

THEME 
In a sea of millions upon millions of bars, how can you make your commercial bar design stand apart from the rest? The answer is to pick a unique, centralized theme and run with it. Whether it’s your next sit-down restaurant bar design, or remodeling the small, locally-favorite gem, you have to find out what your clientele wants. Survey the neighborhood of your establishment and find out what the demographics are there. Maybe a gritty, western bar would be a hit. Or maybe a more modern, sleek design is what’s missing in the area. Whatever theme you decide upon, hit it out of the park with the perfect lighting, wall art, music, and furniture. It’s all in the details. 

THE GUIDE TO YOUR NEXT RESTOBAR 
You’ve got the food, you’ve got the restaurant, you’ve got the customers, now all you need is a beautifully designed bar to top it all off.  Small bar designs for restaurants have a tendency to be a little thrown together and incohesive with the rest of the establishment. Stay on brand- create consistency with tying in the same color scheme, furniture, art, and overall ambiance of the pre-existing restaurant. Make sure the placement of your bar makes sense as well, have it in a place where it’s visible and easy to navigate but not in the way of servers and other guests. If the bar is going to serve food, be sure to consider the location of the kitchen to not obstruct traffic flow. Consider all of these small tips as you work through your next restaurant bar design. 

SPACE CONSTRAINT 
It’s no secret that bars have the reputation of being a little cramped, and in some cases- way too cramped. Consider all of the space constraints while designing your next commercial bar design and we can change that bad rap that bars have been holding for far too long. First and foremost, be sure to measure your bar, barstool, cabinet, and equipment height. Generally, a bar is 42” in height while a stool is 30” in height. Also be sure to allow at least 3’ of space between the bar and the alcohol for the bartender’s functionality and efficiency. Consider multiple register and drink-making stations for bartenders as well. Allowing 2’ between patrons is going to give them enough space to eat and drink, and most importantly, simply be comfortable. All of these considerations are especially helpful if it is a restaurant bar design, where the space is even more valuable.