A Dead Ball Specialist — James Ward Prowse.
James Michael Edward Ward-Prowse (born November 1, 1994) is an English professional footballer who currently plays for Premier League club Southampton F.C. and the England national team as a central midfielder.
Ward-Prowse has currently made over 302 appearances so far with 39 goals and 34 assists for Southampton F.C . For his National Team England, he has made 10 appearances so far and scored 2 goals.
Who are Dead Ball Experts ?
A player that excels at taking free kicks or corners is known as a dead ball specialist.
The technique of placing the ball exactly where the taker envisions it during corners or free kicks is a skill that few players possess. The taker of a free kick has a number of variables to consider before sending the ball in the back of the net. Like for example, the wall which is placed ahead of the goal and to beat the goal keeper obviously.
To score free kicks in itself is very hard. As a result, the technique for scoring free kicks overtime has defined physics and art for that specific moment, resulting in the title being given as a dead ball specialist.
The Technique Behind It :
Ward-Prowse said this in his interview with sky sports :
“I always try to set my free kicks just off center in the middle of the goal so hopefully the curve takes it away from the goalkeeper. That’s my technique. If it has pace, the goalkeeper shouldn’t have a chance. I try and start it on the goalkeeper and make him think he has a chance and then have it curl away.”
In general, there are a few different ways to score a free kick :
- The first strategy might be to go with brute force and just try to force the ball into the goal directly with a powerful kick.
- If a player is savvy, then the player could use some sort of technique to curl the ball around any obstacles using the inside or outside of the foot.
- Or in certain circumstances to use some sort of skill, to spin the ball and make it zoom through the air unpredictably.
What Makes James Ward-Prowse Better Than Others ?
His technique, rather his belief in himself to beat the last man standing in on goal.
Ward-Prowse’s approach to score flawlessly brilliant freekicks which includes a set of prerequisites like considering an ideal situation where in the freekick given, involves a perfect sort of distance of 25 yards out. Bouncing the ball twice, with the ball logo facing up the sky as well as taking a 45 degree approach to the ball and 4 steps backwards, before taking a free kick.
Ward-Prowse generally researches on the goalkeepers, he is tasked to face against and the opposition set up. Before striking the ball, he plants his left foot just beside the ball to generate much width and speed.
Ward-Prowse likes to hit the bottom right side of the ball to generate some topspin by brushing up over it. In comparison, it’s a bit like a forehand in tennis where the ball needs to get up and over the net. And also visualizing where to put the ball and identifying sections in the goal.
Ward-Prowse’s left leg moves and slides across almost like a Beckham-esque technique as well as skipping and jumping at the same time while striking the ball.
In comparison with Messi, before stepping up to a take a freekick Messi’s leg has an angle of 50 degrees in his stance and plants almost his entire boot on the ground before hitting the ball, giving him stability and control in the shot.
While Juninho, who is arguably one of the world’s best freekick taker would use an instep striking method, wherein which he would utilize the limit ball rotation, causing the ball to swing and dip unpredictably in flight.
Cristiano Ronaldo puts a very little spin on the ball forcing it to dip suddenly downward while still shooting an accurate shot with a super charged velocity that would be very difficult to defend against.
On the way to breaking David Beckham’s record and becoming the player with most freekick goals in Premier League history.
The Southampton captain widely regarded as one of the finest freekick takers in the Premier League is closing in on a top flight record that has been held for several years by Manchester United legend David Beckham.
United icon Beckham converted 18 direct free kicks when gracing the Premier League stage. Ward-Prowse is now up to 14 and now has breathing space in the second spot. With just four goals apart, Ward-Prowse is on his way to break the record and claim the throne i.e., the player with most goals from direct free kicks in Premier League History.
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