falling leaf

noun

An aerobatic maneuver, a controlled stall that begins to induce a spin which is then countered with the rudder.

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Meanings

nounfalling leaf (plural falling leaves)

plural falling leaves

  1. aeronauticsAn aerobatic maneuver, a controlled stall that begins to induce a spin which is then countered with the rudder.
  2. ball gamesA dated kicking technique used to put the ball into a swaying movement that makes it harder to estimate its trajectory.

Origin

So called from the gradual "drifting" motion like a leaf falling from a tree.

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Cite this entry
APA

falling leaf. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/falling%20leaf

MLA

“falling leaf.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/falling%20leaf. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “falling leaf,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/falling%20leaf.

Source: falling leaf on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.