Projectile Dynamics in Sport

An understanding of the physical processes involved in throwing, hitting, firing and releasing sporting projectiles is essential for a full understanding of the science that underpins sport. This is the first book to comprehensively examine those processes and to explain the factors governing the trajectories of sporting projectiles once they are set in motion.

Colin White began his career as a software engineer, working on various military modelling projects. In 1986, he joined the Department of Physics at the University of Portsmouth as Senior Lecturer before transferring, in 2000, to the Department of Sport and Physical Exercise Science where he taught sports technology and modelling.

Section 1: The Theory 1. Sports Projectile Modeling - Why, How and....So What! 2. Launching Projectiles into Motion 3. Motion of Projectiles under the Influence of Gravity 4. Impact and Bounce 5. Drag and Lift 6. The Effects of Spin Section 2: Practical Applications 7. Shot Put and Hammer 8. Discus 9. Javelin 10. Golf 11. Tennis and Squash 12. Cricket and Baseball 13. Football 14. Rugby and American Football 15. Some Assorted Sporting Projectiles. Appendices