The perfect strike

www.realmadrid.com analyzes Cristiano Ronaldo's method of taking free kicks

Carlos Cristobal / Translation by realmadrid.com

Cristiano Ronaldo has a multitude of strong suits on the field of play, and one of them is without a doubt his ability to take free kicks. Ronaldo has mastered the art of the set piece and has scored many important goals. Realmadrid.com has decided to analzye the steps taken by the Portuguese as he prepares for a laser-guided free kick.

STEP 1: PRIOR TO SHOOTING
Cristiano always follows the same routine before winding up for a shot. First, he meticulously places the ball on the turf with the air in the exact spot where he will strike it with his foot. This provides more power and makes it easier to put any curving effect on the ball. Once satisfied with the placement, Cristiano prepares the run-up to the ball. He measures between four and six long steps and takes a stance with legs wide apart. Always slightly left of the ball, the new Madridista concentrates on the shot.

STEP 2: RUN-UP & STRIKE
The first few steps taken by Ronaldo are short strides on the tips of his toes, much in the same way Roberto Carlos takes free kicks. What differentiates the two however is that once the Portuguese is in full stride, the actual run-up is shorter and at a curve towards the right rather than straight like the Brazilian.

Cristiano's last stride is the longest. His left support foot will be several centimeters behind the ball. At that very moment, his entire body is angled back with his support leg fully extended and the right beginning to pull the trigger. During the follow through, Ronaldo's body moves forward to keep the ball from sailing too high. His maintains his balance with his left arm, while the right moves to add power to the shot. The right foot strikes the ball on the lower left section of the ball. He doesn't make contact with either the exterior or interior of his boot. It's a clean strike with the instep, which puts even more power beihnd the ball.

STEP 3: BALL TRAJECTORY
The run-up to the right and the strike with the left foot on the left side of the ball. The result is a parabola that is hard to describe with words. While the ball rises, it first tends to carry left. But all of a sudden its trajectory changes. The lateral movement ends and the ball moves away from the goalkeepe and sinks, making it virtually impossible of saving.