Comparison of some mechanical variables of kicking the ball with the inside and outside of the foot and their relation to the accuracy of direct free kicks in youth football.

Abstract

Football is one of the first sports to capture the attention of all followers, officials, and those concerned with sports affairs around the world. Through the researcher's observation of the Iraqi league, he noticed the players' weakness in mastering direct free kicks, especially those facing the goal, in the middle, and those close to the boundary line of the penalty area parallel to the goal line. The research aims to analyze and compare some biomechanical variables of kicking the ball with the inside and outside of the foot and which is more accurate in direct free kicks according to the Magnus effect in football. The researcher used the descriptive method, and the sample consisted of 10 youth players from Shirwana Club. Two cameras were used, and after processing the data statistically.The researcher found a significant correlation between the launch angle and the maximum deviation of the ball with the direct free kick inside the foot, unlike the ball's speed which was not significant. However, in the kick outside the foot, its correlation with the ball's speed was significant, unlike the launch angle and the maximum deviation of the ball which were not significant. Additionally, kicking the ball inside the foot is more accurate and effective in applying the Magnus effect on the ball, making its path arc-shaped, compared to kicking the ball outside the foot.