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Behind the wall: How Ronaldinho's free kicks helped spark trend that's taking soccer by storm

While watching matches in the Champions League and Europe's top leagues recently, you may well have noticed something a little strange going on as teams prepare to defend a free kick on the edge of their box.

Perhaps, if you were watching Arsenal's 2-1 defeat to Everton in the Premier League last month for example, you will have spotted Ainsley Maitland-Niles literally lying down behind the defensive wall in order to block any attempt at a cheeky low shot from Gylfi Sigurdsson. He is the latest player to put their body on the line in order to thwart a potential trick shot as their teammates in the wall jump when the dead ball is hit.