Books.org participates in affiliate programs including Bookshop.org and the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no additional cost to you.
Overview
What is the best angle to launch a soccer ball? How does a standing kick compare with a running kick? How do you decide if it is better to pass or dribble? How does air drag affect a soccer kick?Synopsis
What is the best angle to launch a soccer ball? How does a standing kick compare with a running kick? How do you decide if it is better to pass or dribble? How does air drag affect a soccer kick?
Children's Literature
Want to "bend the ball like Beckham?" Check how to do that in Chapter 5 of this book, which explains the physics of playing soccer well (called football in every other country). All you have to do is figure out the distance to the goal, where to place your kick on the ball, how hard to kick it, what the air turbulence will do it, and how much spin to give it. Not a problem, right? Of course, you only have a split second to figure this out. With the help of the experiments in this book and lots of practice, maybe you can be a good soccer player or at least talk a good game. The added bonus is learning a bit about physics without boring yourself to tears. The various chapters have experiments to figure out how bouncy a soccer ball is, including learning about what happens to the energy produced when the ball is moved; how best to kick the ball; when to dribble or pass; and how to correctly head the ball. There is also a discussion of the "offside" call, which can be controversial. Learn about air drag and its effect on the ball's movement and about executing various kicks. I found the book interesting, but a bit long for my unscientific mind. Still, it is a good tool for engaging teens in the science of physics. It is part of the "Score! Sports Science Projects" series. Reviewer: Sarah Maury Swan