Lionel Messi's free kick technique: Detailed biomechanics & sports science breakdown

Dr. Rajpal Brar, DPT and biomechanics expert breaks down Barcelona and Argentina legend Lionel Messi's free kick technique, from run up to body shape to swing through to vision focus to mind-body feedback.
Here’s a table of contents, header (sub-headings):
- 0:00 Intro
- 0:25 The run up (angle, steps)
- 3:01 Body shape and strike (hip position, the strike, torso mechanics)
- 6:20 Eyes & mind-body feedback (focus points, neuromuscular feedback)
- 7:59 Consistent mechanics (compact & repeatable technique)
For those at work or the hard of hearing, I've transcribed subtitles on KZbin so sound isn't required.
For reference, I’m a DPT well-versed in biomechanics, with 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 IG and twitter @3cbperformance.

[@judishxavier4268]

Messi be like : What are all these science principles and algorithms. I just shoot..lol

[@3cbperformance]

Lol

[@adarshinginshetty484]

Lol

[@Edward-ho2bm]

Lol

[@adonis-therightway8656]

Nope ,you are wrong ,here is a clip where he admits that he is trying to improve on free kicks by studying them - kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zn6yZmdpYrZjfqM ,I know it was a joke but I just wanted to share the real concept

[@nivedleo8973]

We need Messi's Chipping Technique Scientific Breakdown Video..

[@3cbperformance]

Will get to it, great topic.

[@ach1ntt806]

Yea please

[@Edward-ho2bm]

Yess

[@Edward-ho2bm]

@@3cbperformance u done it yet?

[@evilestmanlp]

Your content is great ! Messi’s mastery of FK is a thing to be taught. He doesn’t a have single way of taking a FK, he’s always adapting and creating new methods. It’s this fact, that drove the opponent’s defense to be creative in defending his FK. Nowadays, you see a guy who’s paid millions, laying down under the wall in case Messi decides to shoot it under the wall. Another defender being alert to run back at the close post in case Messi decides to chip it ...😅

[@3cbperformance]

yep - it's all a cat and mouse game of adjustments and deception. I saw the FK you're talking about with the man under the wall and at the post

[@teletubbypo318]

Just watched your entire series on messi. So more! It’s really interesting

[@3cbperformance]

That's the plan mate

[@andrasdudas5084]

@@3cbperformance Do you have any interview, where the goat talks about his own ball control, and how he sees the reasons, why the defenders have no clue where he plans to run with the ball?

[@3cbperformance]

@@andrasdudas5084 I don't

[@andrasdudas5084]

@@3cbperformance kzbin.info/www/bejne/anWtfWWorLegsKs

[@Edward-ho2bm]

same

[@mcj2024]

Amazing content!

[@yashkirat9381]

How his ankle is twisted while the striking moment 😨, G.O.A.T

[@mazzapharaoh]

Love your videos! Thanks for this one it is very insightful and points out a lot I never took into consideration when watching messi

[@3cbperformance]

Thanks for watching. I was honestly stunned while breaking down some of the film

[@patrickgarrone6172]

Excellent!! Thank you so much

[@elionmanallari5589]

Thanks bro! Keep up the great work

[@3cbperformance]

Thanks

[@galacticoti9788]

Thus is truly great work

[@3cbperformance]

galactico ti thanks for watching

[@IrfanNasir]

Excellent video.. very informative

[@3cbperformance]

Cheers mate

[@user-ku3uz2yr4k]

Great work, thank you!) Will try to be more conscious on the pitch

[@3cbperformance]

You're welcome

[@oluolusanya4914]

Lovely video!

[@3cbperformance]

Olu Olusanya thank you

[@samirsilwal8341]

Great Content and really nice explanation. Sir can you please make a video about Messi's dribbling technique...

[@3cbperformance]

I'll have one related to it next week

[@user-yg9vq9xn1b]

Nice one

[@abhinav7046]

Great Sir ,Amazing .You re awesome

[@3cbperformance]

thanks mate

[@highstandart2876]

thank you bro, I will use them

[@3cbperformance]

Cheers

[@benjaminduffour9925]

This is the best video on KZbin

[@3cbperformance]

Benjamin Duffour thanks mate

[@artfulmessi]

This is the best explanation of Messi's free kick technique i've yet seen on youtube, you really went into detail with everything, great video bro

[@3cbperformance]

Glad it was helpful!

[@visheshdeepgautam]

One of the fewest Individuals born on the the planet ever to have studies being done upon. 👽🐐

[@masatoarima4217]

Great Video! Could you provide some analysis on the distinct difference in Messi's body shape (upper body) when he starts his kicking motion (1:35) compared to other players? His arm swing (right arm) is very compact compared to say David Beckham, who opens his upper body up and really swings his left arm in full as he starts his kicking motion. Wondering from a biomechanic perspective, how the difference in the 2 techniques leads to different torso and core muscles becoming engaged during the kicking motion and what impacts that would have for power generation, and accuracy. Also noticed Ronaldo like Messi has an extremely compact upper body motion. Thanks.

[@3cbperformance]

Masato Arima I have to look through it in more detail before answering. Sounds like a good topic for another video!

[@masatoarima4217]

@@3cbperformance Looking forward to your next videos! Keep up the great work. Really enjoying watching your analysis!

[@relaxationvibes6281]

Wowowoowow thank you youre the best

[@3cbperformance]

Cheers

[@ellis1469]

Can you do a video on how to use elastic recoil to improve shot power. I see the messi freekick video and thought you could go more in depth

[@3cbperformance]

What do you mean by "how to use it"? It's a physiological mechanism

[@Jmsbnd7eren]

Raj it's great to see u.. Can u make a vedio about the analysis of the pro players like Ronaldo, Messi.. the position and movements.. Love from India..

[@3cbperformance]

Check out my dribbling videos mate

[@dryames4319]

Could you do one of these for David Beckhams free kick technique?

[@3cbperformance]

It's on the list mate

[@sionaldinho]

Do Giovinco free kick analysis please :)

[@anandarr196]

nice vid

[@3cbperformance]

Anandar R thanks

[@ShayanMohammadian]

Make a vidio for dribbling in tight space. and make a vidio from another soccer players in 3 episodes like messi if you can.👌

[@GOATharva]

Nice One Raj , Can you make on Cristiano Ronaldo's Penalties...and his heading/Aerial Moments? 🙂👍

[@3cbperformance]

I have numerous on his headers mate. Will do penalties eventually

[@GOATharva]

@@3cbperformance Ohk 👍

[@emmanuel2232]

Can u make a video on why mbappe runs the way he does I love your videos I learn so much

[@3cbperformance]

Will do at some point

[@abdulhaadi6913]

Please upload more on messi

[@3cbperformance]

I do as I can mate

[@messimessi603]

Good

[@3cbperformance]

thanks mate

[@HeyitsMrPHere]

His gait is so clean

[@3cbperformance]

It is

[@JonasVaughn-in4hw]

🐐🐐

[@andilekwazit.p6333]

Can you analyse Trent Arnold's crossing technique?

[@3cbperformance]

That’s a good one

[@chinnapatwongsa]

Bro made me turn into messi

[@ElGuapoSalsero]

Bro providing scientifically backed analysis with in-depth anatomical data and mechanics breakdown. If we were to ask Messi: I’m just kicking the ball as hard as I can while trying not to fall. Cha ta

[@iikatinggangsengii2471]

he should know at least some of them, scientific knowledge/data improve consistency, in no way he/they dont know and just shoot and wish

[@tamilore431]

Messi probably doesnt care about the science behind his freekicks to him he just kicks the ball😂 the GOAT

[@3cbperformance]

Tamilore Oke likely not but others seem to 😂

[@tamilore431]

@@3cbperformance i can't believe you replied merci beaucoup am highly honoured . Please can you analyze phillipe coutinho

[@Edward-ho2bm]

nah idk about that 1

[@harryzed9090]

The angle is the same every time. Only the spot of the ball changes.

[@sid3803]

PSG and Argentine Legend Mr Lionel Messi 🐐👑🔥❤️🙏

[@ferryardian7136]

I remember long time ago, when i was siting in front my tv they call it SCIENCE OF STUPID on NatGeo, kinda similar like this when someone doing extreme sport tricks like 360 backflip, jumping etc, so they break it down why someone made it, and another didnt, of course with physics theory and movement related science The point is on this case maybe Messi itself dont even know physics and just train this kind of skill over and over. It can be real true, but also can be accidentally true. Thats why they call it science of stupid on that show, just for fun purpose But overall i like every single detail shown up on your video 👍👍

[@jeriel1082]

Mate please when is another video of messi's free kick going to come

[@3cbperformance]

When I have the time to make a quality one mate. Too much going on right now

[@muhammadjobayer1634]

Great. Please make a video how messi curve the ball?

[@3cbperformance]

Jarin Jarin It’s already included in this video. It’s about his foot strike and how he gets around the ball

[@Edward-ho2bm]

@@3cbperformance thanks

[@benjaminduffour9925]

And next please do his dribbling

[@bigfloppaenjoyer4837]

I am such a messi fan that im trying to score freeckicks with my left instead of my right in actual games

[@3cbperformance]

😂😂😂

[@carlosvillegas4740]

Lol same for some reason my left is powerful

[@ikhtiyorbekkhasanboev8600]

I think most people watched this video are goalkeepers.

[@borayasar3863]

he is alien

[@3cbperformance]

He’s incredible

[@carlosvillegas4740]

Ronaldihos freekick analysis

[@3cbperformance]

Good one

[@leviwalker8816]

6:44 ded at the butterfly

[@3cbperformance]

LOL, thanks for taking the time to watch

[@emmanuel2232]

Can u pls make a video how to shoot like messi

[@arnavdas3139]

Messi applied backpropagation !!

[@3cbperformance]

Not sure what you mean

[@arnavdas3139]

@@3cbperformance oh...the feedback mechanism you described somewhat resembles a popular algorithm called backpropagation (in popular culture you may have heard of deep learning)...

[@3cbperformance]

@@arnavdas3139 Ahh, I gotcha now. The brain constantly applies backpropogation/deep learning to movements!

[@arnavdas3139]

@@3cbperformance yup to put it roughly....this algo tries to minimise the error of the end product over multiple Cycles by consistently drawing feedback from those events until it arrives at an acceptable result

[@akwilson1676]

You don't use science to explain magic.

[@3cbperformance]

🤣 fair

[@martincabrera4042]

Jajajajajajajajajajajajajajajajajajajajajajaj qué manera de vender humo 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣