Roberto Carlos
www.yrl.co.uk/~gonzalo/rm/plantilla/roberto_carlos4.jpg
Roberto Carlos is a very famous soccer player and many of the things that he does with the soccer ball seem physically impossible. If you do not believe me about the incerdible things that Roberto Carlos has done click on the link below and you will be amazed.
(This can be viewed on Quicktime Media Player.)
The shot above is so amazing because it wraps around the defenders and then instantly turns into the corner of the goal. This curvature is due to the fact that there is a low-drag, high-turbulant airflow working against the ball pushing it to the side due to the air resistance. To get his desired curve Roberto Carlos had to kick the ball with enough force to give it an initial velocity fast enough to get passed the defenders before the ball slows down and it's smooth-airflow stage ends. Then he also had to put enough side spin on the ball to give it a rotating motion. Once past the defenders the ball's smooth-airflow stage ends and the angular velocity put onto the ball comes into play causing the ball to turn directions. Many people can make a soccer ball curve some, but no one can do it as well as Roberto Carlos.
Another apect in Roberto Carlos's game that is amazing is the fact that he can kick the ball at such a fast velocity. In fact, he has been known to kick the soccer ball as hard as ninety miles per hour. When kicking this hard it is hard for the goalie to do anything about it. Here is a clip showing how hard he can kick.
www.yrl.co.uk/~gonzalo/rm/plantilla/roberto_carlos4.jpg
