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Football · Level 10: Professional · Sub-level 10.108

Biomechanics of Shooting

10 tests · 100 facts · updated 12 October 2026 · markdown

The technique and physics of the shot as facts about the game: how the foot strikes the ball, spin and the Magnus effect, the knuckleball, ball design, famous strikes, penalties, heading rules, shot speed and the contested claims.

Each test below is ten questions on Insporta. The list under a test is what the questions check: one fact per question, with the source it was written from. Read it before the test, or come back from a wrong answer.

Test 1How the foot strikes the ballTake a test

  1. The laces give the largest, hardest surface for a firm strike through the ball.

    Source: Coaching manuals on striking technique; published physics of ball flight (Dupeux et al. 2010 and others); match records · recall

  2. Leaning back is the usual reason shots fly over the bar.

    Source: Coaching manuals on striking technique; published physics of ball flight (Dupeux et al. 2010 and others); match records · applied

  3. The inside of the foot brushing across the ball gives it sidespin.

    Source: Coaching manuals on striking technique; published physics of ball flight (Dupeux et al. 2010 and others); match records · applied

  4. The outside of the foot sends the spin the opposite way to an inside-foot curler.

    Source: Coaching manuals on striking technique; published physics of ball flight (Dupeux et al. 2010 and others); match records · recall

  5. Quaresma scored a famous trivela against Iran at the 2018 World Cup.

    Source: Coaching manuals on striking technique; published physics of ball flight (Dupeux et al. 2010 and others); match records · recall

  6. Placement trades some power for accuracy.

    Source: Coaching manuals on striking technique; published physics of ball flight (Dupeux et al. 2010 and others); match records · applied

  7. A standing foot beside the ball keeps the body over it and the shot on line.

    Source: Coaching manuals on striking technique; published physics of ball flight (Dupeux et al. 2010 and others); match records · recall

  8. Each phase affects the power and direction of the shot.

    Source: Coaching manuals on striking technique; published physics of ball flight (Dupeux et al. 2010 and others); match records · applied

  9. Striking lower on the ball sends it higher.

    Source: Coaching manuals on striking technique; published physics of ball flight (Dupeux et al. 2010 and others); match records · applied

  10. A strike below the centre lifts the ball and gives it backspin.

    Source: Coaching manuals on striking technique; published physics of ball flight (Dupeux et al. 2010 and others); match records · recall

Test 2Spin and the Magnus effectTake a test

  1. Magnus described the effect in 1852, studying spinning shells and cylinders.

    Source: Coaching manuals on striking technique; published physics of ball flight (Dupeux et al. 2010 and others); match records · recall

  2. That is why lofted passes with backspin seem to hang in the air.

    Source: Coaching manuals on striking technique; published physics of ball flight (Dupeux et al. 2010 and others); match records · recall

  3. The outside of the foot gave the ball the sidespin that swerved it round the wall.

    Source: Coaching manuals on striking technique; published physics of ball flight (Dupeux et al. 2010 and others); match records · recall

  4. The four-team tournament was a rehearsal for the 1998 World Cup.

    Source: Coaching manuals on striking technique; published physics of ball flight (Dupeux et al. 2010 and others); match records · recall

  5. A 2010 study showed that a fast, spinning ball traces a spiral as it slows.

    Source: Coaching manuals on striking technique; published physics of ball flight (Dupeux et al. 2010 and others); match records · applied

  6. The distance made the late swerve all the more striking.

    Source: Coaching manuals on striking technique; published physics of ball flight (Dupeux et al. 2010 and others); match records · recall

  7. David Beckham's free kicks were famous for their curl and dip.

    Source: Coaching manuals on striking technique; published physics of ball flight (Dupeux et al. 2010 and others); match records · recall

  8. The curve grows as the ball loses speed.

    Source: Coaching manuals on striking technique; published physics of ball flight (Dupeux et al. 2010 and others); match records · applied

  9. 1997, 2001 and 2008.

    Source: Coaching manuals on striking technique; published physics of ball flight (Dupeux et al. 2010 and others); match records · recall

  10. Topspin pushes the ball downwards, so it dips late.

    Source: Coaching manuals on striking technique; published physics of ball flight (Dupeux et al. 2010 and others); match records · recall

Test 3The knuckleballTake a test

  1. Pirlo said he copied the technique from watching Juninho.

    Source: Coaching manuals on striking technique; published physics of ball flight (Dupeux et al. 2010 and others); match records · recall

  2. Striking the centre with the laces keeps spin to a minimum.

    Source: Coaching manuals on striking technique; published physics of ball flight (Dupeux et al. 2010 and others); match records · recall

  3. A long follow-through tends to put spin on the ball.

    Source: Coaching manuals on striking technique; published physics of ball flight (Dupeux et al. 2010 and others); match records · applied

  4. His free kick at Portsmouth in 2008 is one of the best known.

    Source: Coaching manuals on striking technique; published physics of ball flight (Dupeux et al. 2010 and others); match records · recall

  5. Bale's strikes were among the most powerful of his era.

    Source: Coaching manuals on striking technique; published physics of ball flight (Dupeux et al. 2010 and others); match records · recall

  6. Without spin, uneven airflow can push the ball one way and then another.

    Source: Coaching manuals on striking technique; published physics of ball flight (Dupeux et al. 2010 and others); match records · applied

  7. Smoother balls can behave erratically in the speed range of long shots.

    Source: Coaching manuals on striking technique; published physics of ball flight (Dupeux et al. 2010 and others); match records · applied

  8. The short follow-through is what keeps the spin off.

    Source: Coaching manuals on striking technique; published physics of ball flight (Dupeux et al. 2010 and others); match records · applied

  9. The curled free kick relies on sidespin; the knuckleball on having almost none.

    Source: Coaching manuals on striking technique; published physics of ball flight (Dupeux et al. 2010 and others); match records · applied

  10. Its path can wobble, which is why goalkeepers fear it.

    Source: Coaching manuals on striking technique; published physics of ball flight (Dupeux et al. 2010 and others); match records · recall

Test 4Ball design and flightTake a test

  1. It cut the classic 32 panels to 14, changing how the ball moved through the air.

    Source: Coaching manuals on striking technique; published physics of ball flight (Dupeux et al. 2010 and others); match records · recall

  2. Fewer panels meant fewer seams and a smoother surface.

    Source: Coaching manuals on striking technique; published physics of ball flight (Dupeux et al. 2010 and others); match records · recall

  3. Bonding gives a smoother, more waterproof surface.

    Source: Coaching manuals on striking technique; published physics of ball flight (Dupeux et al. 2010 and others); match records · recall

  4. The Roteiro at Euro 2004 had already used the method.

    Source: Coaching manuals on striking technique; published physics of ball flight (Dupeux et al. 2010 and others); match records · recall

  5. Seams and texture change how the air leaves the surface, and so the flight.

    Source: Coaching manuals on striking technique; published physics of ball flight (Dupeux et al. 2010 and others); match records · applied

  6. Adidas's Telstar was the first, in Mexico in 1970.

    Source: Coaching manuals on striking technique; published physics of ball flight (Dupeux et al. 2010 and others); match records · recall

  7. The makers said the panel shape and texture kept the ball stable in flight.

    Source: Coaching manuals on striking technique; published physics of ball flight (Dupeux et al. 2010 and others); match records · recall

  8. 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018.

    Source: Coaching manuals on striking technique; published physics of ball flight (Dupeux et al. 2010 and others); match records · recall

  9. 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2020 (played in 2021).

    Source: Coaching manuals on striking technique; published physics of ball flight (Dupeux et al. 2010 and others); match records · recall

  10. The Brazuca's six panels were shaped differently from the Jabulani's eight.

    Source: Coaching manuals on striking technique; published physics of ball flight (Dupeux et al. 2010 and others); match records · recall

Test 5Famous strikesTake a test

  1. The volley from a tight angle made it 2-0 to the Netherlands in Munich.

    Source: Coaching manuals on striking technique; published physics of ball flight (Dupeux et al. 2010 and others); match records · recall

  2. The final was played at Hampden Park in Glasgow.

    Source: Coaching manuals on striking technique; published physics of ball flight (Dupeux et al. 2010 and others); match records · recall

  3. It was voted the best goal of the Premier League's first twenty years.

    Source: Coaching manuals on striking technique; published physics of ball flight (Dupeux et al. 2010 and others); match records · recall

  4. The goal came in a friendly that opened Sweden's new national stadium.

    Source: Coaching manuals on striking technique; published physics of ball flight (Dupeux et al. 2010 and others); match records · recall

  5. He spotted the goalkeeper off his line and lobbed him from near the halfway line.

    Source: Coaching manuals on striking technique; published physics of ball flight (Dupeux et al. 2010 and others); match records · recall

  6. He dived forward and flicked the ball away with his heels over his back.

    Source: Coaching manuals on striking technique; published physics of ball flight (Dupeux et al. 2010 and others); match records · recall

  7. The winning goal was a long-range strike for Manchester United against Porto.

    Source: Coaching manuals on striking technique; published physics of ball flight (Dupeux et al. 2010 and others); match records · recall

  8. 1988, 1996, 2002 and 2011.

    Source: Coaching manuals on striking technique; published physics of ball flight (Dupeux et al. 2010 and others); match records · recall

  9. 2011, 2013 and 2014.

    Source: Coaching manuals on striking technique; published physics of ball flight (Dupeux et al. 2010 and others); match records · recall

  10. Ferenc Puskás was born in Budapest and starred for Hungary and Real Madrid.

    Source: Coaching manuals on striking technique; published physics of ball flight (Dupeux et al. 2010 and others); match records · recall

Test 6Finishing techniquesTake a test

  1. The quick toe-poke beat the goalkeeper before he could set himself.

    Source: Published research on penalties (Bar-Eli et al. 2007 and others) and heading (FIELD study 2019); FA, SFA and US Soccer guidance; match records · recall

  2. It is used when the ball is on the 'wrong' side for the stronger foot.

    Source: Published research on penalties (Bar-Eli et al. 2007 and others) and heading (FIELD study 2019); FA, SFA and US Soccer guidance; match records · recall

  3. A save at the near post usually goes out; one at the far post can go back into play.

    Source: Published research on penalties (Bar-Eli et al. 2007 and others) and heading (FIELD study 2019); FA, SFA and US Soccer guidance; match records · applied

  4. A keeper coming out has to get down quickly to block a low shot.

    Source: Published research on penalties (Bar-Eli et al. 2007 and others) and heading (FIELD study 2019); FA, SFA and US Soccer guidance; match records · applied

  5. Son had won the award the year before for his solo goal against Burnley.

    Source: Published research on penalties (Bar-Eli et al. 2007 and others) and heading (FIELD study 2019); FA, SFA and US Soccer guidance; match records · recall

  6. Every extra touch gives the defence time to recover.

    Source: Published research on penalties (Bar-Eli et al. 2007 and others) and heading (FIELD study 2019); FA, SFA and US Soccer guidance; match records · applied

  7. A shot taken early can catch the goalkeeper off balance.

    Source: Published research on penalties (Bar-Eli et al. 2007 and others) and heading (FIELD study 2019); FA, SFA and US Soccer guidance; match records · applied

  8. The look up decides whether to shoot, chip or go round.

    Source: Published research on penalties (Bar-Eli et al. 2007 and others) and heading (FIELD study 2019); FA, SFA and US Soccer guidance; match records · applied

  9. The chip is the only one that must rise over the goalkeeper.

    Source: Published research on penalties (Bar-Eli et al. 2007 and others) and heading (FIELD study 2019); FA, SFA and US Soccer guidance; match records · applied

  10. Once the keeper is down, lifting the ball over him is the surest finish.

    Source: Published research on penalties (Bar-Eli et al. 2007 and others) and heading (FIELD study 2019); FA, SFA and US Soccer guidance; match records · applied

Test 7What research says about penaltiesTake a test

  1. Waiting risks being too late for a well-placed kick.

    Source: Published research on penalties (Bar-Eli et al. 2007 and others) and heading (FIELD study 2019); FA, SFA and US Soccer guidance; match records · applied

  2. Diving looks like doing something, even when staying central would save more.

    Source: Published research on penalties (Bar-Eli et al. 2007 and others) and heading (FIELD study 2019); FA, SFA and US Soccer guidance; match records · recall

  3. High corner kicks carry a greater risk of missing the target instead.

    Source: Published research on penalties (Bar-Eli et al. 2007 and others) and heading (FIELD study 2019); FA, SFA and US Soccer guidance; match records · recall

  4. Game theory suggests mixing choices so that neither side can exploit the other.

    Source: Published research on penalties (Bar-Eli et al. 2007 and others) and heading (FIELD study 2019); FA, SFA and US Soccer guidance; match records · applied

  5. Later studies with more shoot-outs found the advantage much smaller or absent, so it is contested.

    Source: Published research on penalties (Bar-Eli et al. 2007 and others) and heading (FIELD study 2019); FA, SFA and US Soccer guidance; match records · recall

  6. Germany won the World Cup quarter-final shoot-out in Berlin.

    Source: Published research on penalties (Bar-Eli et al. 2007 and others) and heading (FIELD study 2019); FA, SFA and US Soccer guidance; match records · recall

  7. For a right-footer, that usually means the keeper's right.

    Source: Published research on penalties (Bar-Eli et al. 2007 and others) and heading (FIELD study 2019); FA, SFA and US Soccer guidance; match records · applied

  8. Studying past kicks has become routine before shoot-outs.

    Source: Published research on penalties (Bar-Eli et al. 2007 and others) and heading (FIELD study 2019); FA, SFA and US Soccer guidance; match records · applied

  9. 1996, 2004 and 2018, England's first World Cup shoot-out win.

    Source: Published research on penalties (Bar-Eli et al. 2007 and others) and heading (FIELD study 2019); FA, SFA and US Soccer guidance; match records · recall

  10. Staying in the centre saved a higher share of the kicks aimed there, yet keepers rarely did it.

    Source: Published research on penalties (Bar-Eli et al. 2007 and others) and heading (FIELD study 2019); FA, SFA and US Soccer guidance; match records · recall

Test 8Heading and the rules around itTake a test

  1. Heading was brought in gradually for older age groups.

    Source: Published research on penalties (Bar-Eli et al. 2007 and others) and heading (FIELD study 2019); FA, SFA and US Soccer guidance; match records · recall

  2. Scotland announced the step in January 2020 and applied it in February, just before joint guidance from the English, Welsh and Northern Irish associations.

    Source: Published research on penalties (Bar-Eli et al. 2007 and others) and heading (FIELD study 2019); FA, SFA and US Soccer guidance; match records · recall

  3. They were about three and a half times as likely to die of neurodegenerative disease.

    Source: Published research on penalties (Bar-Eli et al. 2007 and others) and heading (FIELD study 2019); FA, SFA and US Soccer guidance; match records · recall

  4. Omalu and McKee are known for research in American football.

    Source: Published research on penalties (Bar-Eli et al. 2007 and others) and heading (FIELD study 2019); FA, SFA and US Soccer guidance; match records · recall

  5. The guidance was agreed by the leagues, the players' union and the managers' association.

    Source: Published research on penalties (Bar-Eli et al. 2007 and others) and heading (FIELD study 2019); FA, SFA and US Soccer guidance; match records · recall

  6. The coroner recorded 'death by industrial disease'.

    Source: Published research on penalties (Bar-Eli et al. 2007 and others) and heading (FIELD study 2019); FA, SFA and US Soccer guidance; match records · recall

  7. Repeated practice, like crossing drills, adds up to many headers a week.

    Source: Published research on penalties (Bar-Eli et al. 2007 and others) and heading (FIELD study 2019); FA, SFA and US Soccer guidance; match records · applied

  8. 2019, 2020 and 2021.

    Source: Published research on penalties (Bar-Eli et al. 2007 and others) and heading (FIELD study 2019); FA, SFA and US Soccer guidance; match records · recall

  9. Rules loosen as players grow older.

    Source: Published research on penalties (Bar-Eli et al. 2007 and others) and heading (FIELD study 2019); FA, SFA and US Soccer guidance; match records · applied

  10. The rule followed a lawsuit brought by parents and players.

    Source: Published research on penalties (Bar-Eli et al. 2007 and others) and heading (FIELD study 2019); FA, SFA and US Soccer guidance; match records · recall

Test 9Shot speed and reactionTake a test

  1. Pace and placement together make the best free kicks.

    Source: Published research on penalties (Bar-Eli et al. 2007 and others) and heading (FIELD study 2019); FA, SFA and US Soccer guidance; match records · applied

  2. Keepers rely on reading the taker before the strike.

    Source: Published research on penalties (Bar-Eli et al. 2007 and others) and heading (FIELD study 2019); FA, SFA and US Soccer guidance; match records · applied

  3. Different radars and camera methods give different figures.

    Source: Published research on penalties (Bar-Eli et al. 2007 and others) and heading (FIELD study 2019); FA, SFA and US Soccer guidance; match records · applied

  4. The figure is widely repeated but, like most such records, hard to verify.

    Source: Published research on penalties (Bar-Eli et al. 2007 and others) and heading (FIELD study 2019); FA, SFA and US Soccer guidance; match records · recall

  5. A fast swing with poor contact produces a slower shot.

    Source: Published research on penalties (Bar-Eli et al. 2007 and others) and heading (FIELD study 2019); FA, SFA and US Soccer guidance; match records · applied

  6. The drag grows with speed, so the fastest shots slow the most.

    Source: Published research on penalties (Bar-Eli et al. 2007 and others) and heading (FIELD study 2019); FA, SFA and US Soccer guidance; match records · applied

  7. Hip and foot angles often show where the ball is going.

    Source: Published research on penalties (Bar-Eli et al. 2007 and others) and heading (FIELD study 2019); FA, SFA and US Soccer guidance; match records · applied

  8. At 100 km/h the last step takes less than half a second.

    Source: Published research on penalties (Bar-Eli et al. 2007 and others) and heading (FIELD study 2019); FA, SFA and US Soccer guidance; match records · applied

  9. Speed and distance together decide the time.

    Source: Published research on penalties (Bar-Eli et al. 2007 and others) and heading (FIELD study 2019); FA, SFA and US Soccer guidance; match records · applied

  10. Eleven metres at nearly 28 metres a second takes about four tenths of a second.

    Source: Published research on penalties (Bar-Eli et al. 2007 and others) and heading (FIELD study 2019); FA, SFA and US Soccer guidance; match records · recall

Test 10Contested claims about shootingTake a test

  1. Both can work; the evidence depends on the situation and the taker.

    Source: Published research on penalties (Bar-Eli et al. 2007 and others) and heading (FIELD study 2019); FA, SFA and US Soccer guidance; match records · applied

  2. Any predictable choice is exploited once the other side notices.

    Source: Published research on penalties (Bar-Eli et al. 2007 and others) and heading (FIELD study 2019); FA, SFA and US Soccer guidance; match records · applied

  3. The FIELD results are strong, but which exposures matter most is still researched.

    Source: Published research on penalties (Bar-Eli et al. 2007 and others) and heading (FIELD study 2019); FA, SFA and US Soccer guidance; match records · applied

  4. Good finishers choose between shooting first time and taking a touch.

    Source: Published research on penalties (Bar-Eli et al. 2007 and others) and heading (FIELD study 2019); FA, SFA and US Soccer guidance; match records · applied

  5. Unpredictable flight raises the chance of a goal but does not guarantee one.

    Source: Published research on penalties (Bar-Eli et al. 2007 and others) and heading (FIELD study 2019); FA, SFA and US Soccer guidance; match records · applied

  6. Tactics, teams and weather all change alongside the ball.

    Source: Published research on penalties (Bar-Eli et al. 2007 and others) and heading (FIELD study 2019); FA, SFA and US Soccer guidance; match records · applied

  7. Most guidance now brings heading in gradually and in small amounts.

    Source: Published research on penalties (Bar-Eli et al. 2007 and others) and heading (FIELD study 2019); FA, SFA and US Soccer guidance; match records · applied

  8. The strictest measures apply to the youngest players.

    Source: Published research on penalties (Bar-Eli et al. 2007 and others) and heading (FIELD study 2019); FA, SFA and US Soccer guidance; match records · applied

  9. The last strategy can fail against a keeper who waits.

    Source: Published research on penalties (Bar-Eli et al. 2007 and others) and heading (FIELD study 2019); FA, SFA and US Soccer guidance; match records · applied

  10. Finishing well above xG rarely lasts, which is why it is debated as a skill.

    Source: Published research on penalties (Bar-Eli et al. 2007 and others) and heading (FIELD study 2019); FA, SFA and US Soccer guidance; match records · applied

Sources

IFAB, FIFA and UEFA regulations and reports / club and federation statements / published coaching literature / peer-reviewed studies / contemporary reporting

  • Coaching manuals on striking technique; published physics of ball flight (Dupeux et al. 2010 and others); match records50
  • Published research on penalties (Bar-Eli et al. 2007 and others) and heading (FIELD study 2019); FA, SFA and US Soccer guidance; match records50