World Cup Soccer Ball Physics

Last night's episode of StarTalk's Playing with Science got us primed for the World Cup, which begins in Russia on 14 June.  I was on during the last half hour or so of the show and talked about my latest published research.  My colleagues at the University of Tskuba in Japan, Takeshi Asai and Sungchan Hong, have worked with me on several research projects.  We showed in 2014 why Brazuca was superior to Jabulani, balls used in 2014 and 2010 World Cups, respectively, and we have just published research on the Telstar 18, which is this year's World Cup ball.  My colleagues got wind-tunnel data on the ball and I did all the data analysis and trajectory modeling.  It's a great partnership!  I discussed the aerodynamics of the new ball and compared it to Brazuca on last night's show.  Click on the link below to hear all about it.

• Season 3, Episode 12 (April 18, 2018):  2018 Soccer Tech:  Beyond Sports & Telstar 18

I simply LOVE talking about sports physics, especially the flight of soccer balls.  It's too bad that Russia is a bit out of my travel range this summer.  I would love to see the new ball in action.  I will do like most of the world and watch on television.  The photo below (click on image for a larger view) shows me holding Brazuca (right hand) and Telstar 18 (left hand).  At $160 apiece, I'm glad that I don't have to buy the balls!

I thank John McCormick here at Lynchburg College for taking that photo.

Cheating and Physics in Cricket

The international sports world was recently rocked when the Australian cricket team was caught cheating during a test match against South Africa.  A bowler was filmed roughening up a ball with what appeared to be sandpaper.  It is nearly impossible to compete on the elite stages of sport and not have every move filmed with high-definition video.  I discussed the physics of cricket, specifically the aerodynamics of the ball in flight and how cheating leads to "reverse swing," on tonight's episode of StarTalk's Playing with Science.  Click on the link below for the episode.

• Season 3, Episode 11 (April 11, 2018):  Breaking the Rules -- The Physics & Psychology of Cheating

I love talking about the physics of sports, but I hate it that a cheating scandal prompted my participation.  Honesty is of paramount importance to me and I hate to see cheating in sport.  If you can't quite reach the mountaintop, train harder!  If you still can't reach the mountaintop and you've done your best, accept the fact that not everyone can be #1 at the same time.  There are worse things in the world than being the 10th best cricket bowler or 5th best home run hitter or 15th best cyclist.

I do hope you enjoy the episode.  I had a blast talking cricket physics.  I even had my own cricket ball to use for demonstrations!