How to Hit a Cristiano Ronaldo Free Kick

Crisitiano Ronaldo's free kick technique is one of the factors that led to him becoming the world's most expensive soccer player, when Real Madrid paid Manchester United £80 million for his services in 2009. Ronlaldo's method has not only been successful in terms of his goal-scoring records, but has also provided soccer fans with one of the most powerful, yet enchanting, spectacles in the modern game. Whereas the likes of David Beckham and Zinedine Yazid Zidane have placed their free kicks with curling shots that bend over and around the wall and away from the scrambling golakeeper, Ronaldo takes a more unconventional and direct approach, relying on power to evade the goalkeeper and technique to lift the ball over the wall and under the crossbar.

Instructions

    • 1

      Make a small divot in the spot where the free kick is to be taken from and place the ball in it. The valve of the ball should be directly facing you. This is where you should be aiming to strike it.

    • 2

      Place your striking foot behind the ball and take four steps backward to set up your run up. Ensure you have a direct approach to the ball. Your run-up should follow the same direction as where you aim your free kick. Once you are in position, place your feet wider than a shoulder-width apart and set yourself, taking time to focus on exactly where in the goal you intend to place the ball.

    • 3

      Approach to kick the ball, using as little backlift as possible with your striking leg. You are aiming to hit the ball directly on its valve as this is the ball's hardest part that will create the most power. A short backlift will lower your margin for error. Your foot should be as straight as possible, meaning you strike the ball with the laces of your boot. Once the ball has left your boot, very little follow through is required to enhance its power or flight. The work has already been done if the valve of the ball has been struck sweetly enough.