Free‐falling spheres, released by a simple mechanism, are used as laser targets. Hot‐electron energy transport upon one‐sided irradiation with 300‐ps iodine laser pulses (6×1015W cm−2) is studied by various methods, including x‐ray pinhole photography and time‐resolved shadowgraphy. Spatial energy deposition is consistent with hot‐electron spreading in the presence of self‐generated magnetic fields, as suggested by recent experiments and simulations. The insensitivity of the results to the presence of a supporting stalk is attributed to inductive decoupling of the target. Free‐falling targets open the possibility of highly symmetric implosion experiments.