2. How to Bend It Like Beckham! A Small Physics Lesson

3. Who is David Beckham? English soccer star Famous for his “bending” shots Married to one of the Spice Girls :(~

4. What do you mean, bend it? Click the button below to see one of his famous “bending” shots.

5. So why does it bend? Three Reasons: Ball Speed! Ball Speed! Air Movement! Air Movement! Foot skill! Foot skill! It ’ s Physics!

6. How does speed affect the shot? Beckham’s shots travel at high speed: an acceleration of 8m/sec. 2 The ball is spinning 8 to 10 revolutions /sec. With this motion, the airflow around the ball is turbulent, resulting in little drag.

7. Speed….continued! At some point in its one second journey toward the goal, the ball slows enough for the air around it to revert to laminar flow, thus increasing drag.

8. How does air affect the shot? When a ball is spinning, air travels farther along one side than the other. Air following the longer path bends more sharply, so the air pressure drops dramatically on that side of the ball. This is known as the “Magnus Force”

9. Why can’t everybody bend it? It takes skill to find the right combination of spin, speed and timing! Players like Beckham want the ball to dip over the heads of opposing players and find the corner of the goal.

10. So what’s the big secret? To bend the ball, kick it slightly off-center with the front of your foot. Keep your ankle bent into an “L” shape. Kick it hard. Kick it hard. Let the Magnus Force be with you! Let the Magnus Force be with you!

11. Can we see that again? Click the button below to see Beckham bend it again!

12. Now go out and practice!