A football is kicked into the air and follows a curved path before landing on the ground. Explain the motion of the football from the moment it leaves the player's foot until it reaches its highest point.

The football leaves the foot with an initial velocity that has both horizontal and vertical components.
1. Immediately after launch, the only significant vertical force is its weight,
(F_g = mg), acting downwards.
2. This downward force causes the vertical component of velocity to decrease, i.e. the football decelerates in the vertical direction.
3. While rising, air resistance acts upward, opposite to the motion, further reducing the vertical speed.
4. When the vertical component of velocity becomes zero, the football reaches its highest point and momentarily stops moving upwards before starting to fall again.