Bicycle kick in soccer: is the virtuosity systematically entrainable?

In soccer, the bicycle kick has provided viewers moments of breathtaking spectacle that seem virtuosic in scope. The novelty of such moments is underscored by the rarity with which players have performed this complex skill during national or international tournaments. The rarity of these occurrences is both a product of perceptions that it is a high-risk, low return skill and by the fact that there is a dearth of scientific research on the biomechanics of the technique. Two genera can be discerned based on starting position: 1) back-facing the goal, and 2) side-facing the goal. The current study, using 3D motion capture technology and full-body biomechanical modeling, identifies elements that govern entrainment of the technique by examining jumping, kicking and falling phases of the skill execution. Motor sequencing during the first two phases can be characterized by analyzing the following parameters: 1) angle between the player's thighs (humerus bones) upon take-off, 2) the whip-like control of the kicking leg, 3) timing between ball motion and joint coordination and, for the side-facing bicycle kick, 4) rotation of the player's trunk during the jumping phase. Dispersion of energy during falling after the kick is accomplished by sharing the load using a sequence of partial landings. Collectively, this information could help entrainment of the skill. Virtuosic in appearance, more frequent use of the kick can only enhance the excitement of the game.