General
knuckleball
What does knuckleball mean?
A strike hit to impart minimal rotation, causing the ball to wobble and dip erratically in flight.
"His knuckleball free kicks dip so violently keepers can't read them."
Origin
Borrowed from baseball, where a knuckleball similarly has little spin.
Frequently asked questions
What is a knuckleball in football?
It is a shot struck with almost no spin, causing the ball to wobble, swerve and dip unpredictably in the air and confuse goalkeepers.
How do you hit a knuckleball?
You strike through the centre of the ball with a firm, punchy contact and minimal follow-through so it barely rotates in flight.
Where does the term knuckleball come from?
It is borrowed from baseball, where a knuckleball pitch is thrown with little spin so it also moves erratically.
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