The Science of the Football Swerve

Posted on June 9, 2006  Comments (4)

With the World Cup (football – soccer) underway lets look at The science behind the swerve by Dr Ken Bray:

It took the modern science of fluid dynamics to understand exactly what happens in a swerving free kick. When a football moves through the air at low speed the air flow separates from its surface at characteristic points…

When the ball rotates – see graphic 3 – the boundary layer remains tripped but the air flow separation around the ball is distorted. Separation occurs earlier on the side rotating against the flow and later on the side rotating in the same sense as the flow. This causes a pressure differential and a deflecting force which is responsible for moving the ball in the air in a free kick.

More posts on science in athletics

4 Responses to “The Science of the Football Swerve”

  1. Curious Cat Science and Engineering Blog » Engineering Basketball Flop
    October 3rd, 2009 @ 9:45 am

    they complained of control problems because of inconsistent bouncing by the new ball, its tendency to stick to the floor and backboards when dry, and the difficulty in gripping it when wet…

  2. Curious Cat Science and Engineering Blog » Friday Fun: Longest Basketball Shot
    October 16th, 2009 @ 9:48 am

    […] The Science of the Football Swerve – Engineering Basketball Flop – Dolphin Kick Gives Swimmers Edge by curiouscat […]

  3. Curious Cat Science and Engineering Blog » Engineering a Better Football
    December 28th, 2009 @ 10:30 am

    The football (soccer ball) for the 2010 FIFA World Cup features completely new, ground-breaking technology. Eight 3-D spherically formed panels are moulded together, harmoniously enveloping the inner carcass. The result is an energetic unit combined with perfect roundness…

  4. Curious Cat Science and Engineering Blog » Friday Fun: Amazing Goal
    April 22nd, 2010 @ 9:14 am

    […] The Science of the Football Swerve – Engineering a Better Football by curiouscat   Tags: Science, Sports, Students […]

Leave a Reply