The Science of Soccer
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Author(s): J. Wesson
Publisher: Institute of Physics
ISBN: 0750308133
Format: softback
199pp
Price: £14.99
Review Date: 12 September 2002
Review: The first part of this book deals (without resorting to mathematics) with the ‘hard science’, using physics to describe the basic facts of the game – from the simple mechanics of the kick, to the complex fluid dynamics of the ball in flight. The speed of travel of the ball can be as great as 80 mph. A chapter is devoted to the acceleration and deceleration of the ball and the forces needed to cause them: from throwing, heading, punching, receiving and trapping. In flight the path of the ball depends on air flow and how the ball is kicked. The banana kick is made across the ball, giving it spin that deflects the air round the ball. The second part of the text is more diverse. It deals with game theory, how the rules affect the flow of the game, why the best team does not always win, and some unusual statistics about players and an insight into the economics of the game.