In association football, a bicycle kick, also known as an overhead kick or scissors kick, is an acrobatic strike where a player kicks an airborne ball rearward in midair. It is achieved by throwing the body backward up into the air and, before descending to the ground, making a shearing movement with the legs to get the ball-striking leg in front of the other. In most languages, the manoeuvre is named after either the cycling motion or the scissor motion that it resembles. Its complexity, and uncommon performance in competitive football matches, makes it one of association football's most celebrated skills.
Forward Ruben Mendoza, from the United States men's national soccer team, executes a bicycle kick.
Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos (in white) uses a bicycle kick against rivals Athletic Bilbao in a La Liga match in 2010.
The phases of the execution of a bicycle kick. R = right foot.
Atlético Madrid striker Diego Costa performing a bicycle kick in a match against Almería in 2013
Scissors are hand-operated shearing tools. A pair of scissors consists of a pair of blades pivoted so that the sharpened edges slide against each other when the handles (bows) opposite to the pivot are closed. Scissors are used for cutting various thin materials, such as paper, cardboard, metal foil, cloth, rope, and wire. A large variety of scissors and shears all exist for specialized purposes. Hair-cutting shears and kitchen shears are functionally equivalent to scissors, but the larger implements tend to be called shears. Hair-cutting shears have specific blade angles ideal for cutting hair. Using the incorrect type of scissors to cut hair will result in increased damage or split ends, or both, by breaking the hair. Kitchen shears, also known as kitchen scissors, are intended for cutting and trimming foods such as meats.
A pair of standard scissors
Han dynasty scissors
These shears are thought to date to the 2nd century AD and come from a Roman settlement in Trabzon, Turkey. The style of the "Egyptianizing" metal inlay designs suggests that they were made to imitate actual Egyptian art. When closed, the dog and cat figures at the tips come face to face.
Classic Italian-style kitchen scissors, often used to cut food. The two halves can be detached in order to be cleaned.