Marcus Rashford's free-kick masterclass

Ever wondered how to take a free-kick like Marcus Rashford?

Well, now you can find out as the England forward provides his top tips and secrets to the art of set-piece shooting in the final edition of ‘Extra Time’ from the Three Lions’ recent World Cup campaign.

The Manchester United man, who spent last season on loan with Barcelona, explains how he approaches a variety of different set-piece scenarios and the techniques he uses to execute his delivery.

You can watch the full tutorial now on the official England app, but here’s a few of Rashford’s step-by-step instructions on how he likes to give himself the best chance of scoring from the positioning of the ball, his run up as well as his different striking techniques.

"I always find it easier in a game to execute, because I always feel like you're sharper in a game than training because of the adrenalin,” explained Rashford.

"But if you feel confident that you can score, always go with that!”

The approach

"First of all, I place the ball. I like to stay on top of the ball until the goalkeeper's put his wall in place. Then I'll take around three steps back, and then a little step forward, so two and a half steps.

"I don't have a set position for the ball, I just make sure it's nice and flat.

"I'll then take some short steps, because from here I can generate quite a lot of power, but it's more about getting the ball up and down [over the wall] because that's going to beat the 'keeper more than it being in the actual corner, so I just try to focus on that.”

Positioning of the feet

"I feel that from free-kicks, it doesn't matter where your feet are pointing as you don't want to give too much away to the goalkeeper.

“Usually when you're ball-striking, the angle of the planted foot is where you're shooting so I try not to give any of that away.

"It's how I actually learned when I was younger and it's a clear thing for the goalkeeper to look where your foot is facing to see where you're going, unless you're going to reverse or put a bit of disguise on it.

"You have to have different techniques from different positions. If you're wider, you need to curl it and hide the ball from the goalkeeper for as long as possible, so I try and shoot flatter balls

Surveying the situation

"I don't know if I'm shooting until as late as possible, so in the meantime I'm always looking to see if there's any better options.

"The other team will think you're going to shoot, but if someone ends up free on the end of the wall for a pass, then that's why I like to spend as much time in this position [over the ball] so I'm ready to play it short.”

The ‘knuckle ball’

"The last technique I'd use [from distance] is the ‘knuckle ball’, which is effective from central positions and is just about making it really difficult for the 'keeper to save.

“And if he does save it, then it might fall out into a dangerous position and one of your teammates.

"Once you've got the technique, you don't have to change much but the hardest thing is just getting the technique. Everyone seems to think it's all about power, but it's not. It's about ball contact, with as least time as possible touching the ball and no follow through.

"You're not always looking to put it in the top corner. If it's really wet, I want to make sure it bounces before it gets to the 'keeper.

"You want the [ball] valve to be where you contact the ball and then I'll take four steps back and to the left. It's a low-ball contact and a then a straight stop with the leg after you make contact.

"A lot of people say some of my shots are like Cristiano's but we have a different technique and having trained with him, it's definitely different. I've never copied anyone or mirrored it, I've just found what I'm comfortable with and went with that."