Detailing Juninho Pernambucano free kick techniques | Football science
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 Published On May 26, 2020

Detailing Juninho Pernambucano free kick techniques | Football (soccer) biomechanics and sports science | Dr. Raj, DPT breaks down Brazil international and current Lyon director of football Juninho Pernambucano’s free kick techniques - including both his shorter distance instep form and longer distance knuckleball form - via the lens of biomechanics and sports science.

Here’s a table of contents, header (subheadings):
- 0:00 Intro
- 0:38 General strategy
- 1:12 Shorter distance instep technique (set up, run up, strike technique, variations)
- 4:35 Longer distance knuckleball technique (set up, run up, strike technique, knuckleball science, variations)
- 7:08 Mind-body learning loops
- 7:45 Final takeaway

For those at work or the hard of hearing, I've transcribed subtitles on YouTube so sound isn't required.

For reference, I’m a DPT (Doctor of Physio) and youth football (soccer) coach well-versed in sports science and biomechanics, and owner of 3CB Performance — online health content, telehealth services and sports rehab & performance clinics in West LA and Valencia, CA.

Feel free to hit me with questions and/or you can always find me on my website or follow on social media:

Website: https://www.3cbperformance.com/
Twitter:   / 3cbperformance  
Instagram:   / 3cbperformance  

Script:

Hey there it’s Raj from 3CB

Brazilian international and current director of football at French club Lyon Juninho Pernambucano is often called the greatest free-kick taker of all time - netting 77 free kick goals over his 20 year career, 44 of those coming during his eight year career at Lyon. His mastery of the free kick combined technical & tactical skill, often leaving goalkeepers with a sour, flabbergasted look on their faces.

In this video, I’ll dissect Juninho’s free kick strategy and technique via the lens of biomechanics and sports science.

General strategy

Juninho himself has explained that free kick technique & approach depended on distance due to the specific demands of each, with a short free kick technique emphasizing placement and a long free kick technique requiring power. Let’s go through each.

Shorter distance free kick technique

The setup

First, we have the setup. Everything begins with a consistent routine & setup.

The run-up

Now into the run up

The strike

Juninho used an instep side-spin technique on his short free kicks.

He’d change the strike point depending on where he wanted to place the ball.

This ability to place the ball into either corner kept keepers guessing

Longer distance knuckleball free kick technique

The setup

The long free kick again begins with the consistent routine.

The run-up

Now the run up

The strike

Juninho primarily used a dorsal distal (top of the foot, near the toes) strike technique to create a knuckleball effect.

Juninho would further vary the height of the knuckleball

Or create top spin to unleash a dipping, bouncing nightmare for keepers.

Mind-body learning loop

Juninho - like other elite free kick takers - watched the flight path of the ball after every free kick. This creates a constant unconscious loop that links his free kick sequence to outcome, with the brain filing away each attempt in the internal movement database and adding relevant information to the inherent feedback and feedforward loops that characterize skilled human movement and learning.

Final takeaway

Juninho’s free kick mastery was the result of tactical & technique mastery. He had a strategy for each free kick and repeatable, consistent techniques - Juninho has said he’d practice at least 50 free kicks per day on the training ground - for both his short and long distance free kicks upon which he could alter his strike point to change placement and spin rates. This left the opposition guessing and often at his mercy.

That’s a wrap for this video. Thanks for watching. My goal is to provide you with in-depth, evidence based, narrative free analysis and you can always find me on IG and Twitter @3CBPerformance.

Please take care of yourselves and follow the appropriate precautions to limit your exposure to and spread of COVID-19. Make sure to sub to the channel and follow along on all social media for the latest updates. 3CB out.

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