★★☆ Moderate

⚽ Football Kick Physics — Trajectory & Spin

Simulate a football free kick with drag and Magnus lift. Adjust launch angle, speed, and topspin/backspin/sidespin to curve the ball around a wall and into the top corner. Visualise the full 3D trajectory.

Range: — Max Height: — Flight Time: — Lateral Drift: — Result: —

Launch Angle 17°

Initial Speed 28 m/s

Topspin / Backspin 0 rad/s

Sidespin (curve) 0 rad/s

Wall Distance 9 m

How to use

Set your angle, speed, and spin, then press Kick! to launch the ball. The green wall represents the defensive wall at the set distance. The goal is 25 m away. Sidespin curves the ball left/right (Magnus effect). Backspin (negative) lifts the ball; Topspin (positive) dips it faster. Try the Banana Shot preset to see a classic curling free kick!

The Physics

Equations of motion: m·a = F_drag + F_Magnus + mg. F_drag = −½ρv²C_d·A·v̂. F_Magnus = ½ρ·C_L·A·v² · (ω̂ × v̂), where C_L ≈ 0.2–0.5 depending on spin rate ω. The "banana shot" uses sidespin ω_z giving lateral deflection Δy ∝ C_L·v·d/g. Optimal free-kick angle balancing distance and clearance ≈ 16–18° for 25 m.