The purpose of this study was to analyze the swing characteristics of the kicking leg in order to elucidate the technical mechanisms of the drive curve shot (topspin curve shot). The orientation of the ankle joint at the point of ball impact closely resembles the orientation during a general curve shot or inside shot. Moreover, for the ankle joint movement at the point of ball impact, there is less mediolateral movement (y direction) compared to a curve shot, and more movement in the vertical direction (z direction). Based on the fact that the angle of the vertical rotational axis at that point is larger than that in other shots, this is likely to be one of the factors in generating topspin on the ball. Therefore, we believe that some of the most important and fundamental characteristics of drive curve shots are a smaller angle of attack and a larger vertical movement of the ankle joint at the point of impact, as compared to normal curve shots. (C) 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and peer-review under responsibility of the School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, RMIT University