Football fans have witnessed some of the most breathtaking goals in history, and many of them have come from volleys. The technique is notoriously difficult to execute, which is why fans are left in disbelief when they see them fly into the net. From Robin van Persie’s title-winning volley for Manchester United in 2013 to James Rodriguez’s Puskas winner at the 2014 World Cup, these goals are among the greatest of all time. Marco van Basten’s effort for Holland in the Euro 88 final against Russia is also worth mentioning. The history of volleys in football is vast and illustrious, but where does the word actually come from?
It turns out that the roots of the word “volley” far predate football itself. Originally, it was used to describe a scene often seen in medieval battles where archers fired lots of arrows at once. The word originates from the French word “volée,” meaning flight. In sporting terms, it is thought to have originally been used in tennis around 1851.
The football dictionary is filled with all sorts of jargon, each with interesting origins. For example, words like hat-trick or clean sheets are commonly used in football, and even terms like nutmegging have their own unique history.
Despite the difficulty of executing a volley, some players have made it look effortless. Robin van Persie’s volley for Manchester United is a prime example. It went down in Premier League history and left fans in awe. James Rodriguez’s strike at the 2014 World Cup was also a sight to behold and earned him the Puskas award.
Marco van Basten’s effort for Holland in the Euro 88 final against Russia is widely regarded as one of the greatest goals ever scored. The Dutchman’s stunning volley from an acute angle left the goalkeeper with no chance and secured his team’s victory.
Other notable volleys include Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s bicycle kick against England in 2012, Wayne Rooney’s overhead kick against Manchester City in 2011, and Papiss Cisse’s incredible strike for Newcastle against Chelsea in 2012.
The technique required to execute a volley is not easy. It requires excellent timing, coordination, and technique. The player must be able to judge the flight of the ball and position themselves correctly to make contact with it. The strike must also be accurate and powerful enough to beat the goalkeeper.
Despite the difficulty, volleys remain one of the most exciting aspects of football. Fans love to see a player connect with the ball perfectly and send it flying into the net. The technique may be challenging, but when executed correctly, it can produce some of the most memorable moments in football history.