The Physics of Basketball

by John J. Fontanella

Overview

Drain three pointers, slam dunk easily, and sink that buzzer beater from half court with the help of simple science. Your coach, physicist John J. Fontanella, shows how you can improve your game if you take advice from Isaac Newton. As you read, relive some of the great moments in the game—this time with a scientist and diehard basketball fan as your color analyst.

Find out why you ought to put spin on the ball. Get tips on how to improve your free throw and increase your percentage from the charity stripe. You’ll even learn how to shatter the backboard, if that’s something you’ve always dreamed of doing.

With photographs and simple high school formulas, physics professor Fontanella—who played in college against Pittsburgh and Syracuse—reveals the key pieces of physics that underscore basketball. He covers almost every aspect of the game, weaving in stories from games he’s played and games he’s seen, and tales from basketball history and folklore. Physics comes alive as you see how Kobe Bryant, Wilt “the Stilt” Chamberlain, Michael Jordan, Becky Hammon, and J. J. Reddick do naturally the things that Isaac Newton says they should.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780801885136
Publisher:	Johns Hopkins University Press
Publication date:	11/19/2006
Edition description:	20
Pages:	168
Product dimensions:	5.78(w) x 10.88(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

John J. Fontanella is a physics professor at the United States Naval Academy.

Table of Contents

Preface
Acknowledgments
1. The Final Four
2. Projectile Notion
3. Nothing But Net
4. Basket Case
5. That's the Way the Ball Bounces
6. Hang Time
Appendixes
I. The Drag Force
II. The Magnus Force
III. Trajectory Calculations
IV. Calculation Setup
V. Bounce Angles
VI. Coefficient of Restitution
Notes
Index

What People are Saying About This

Morgan Wootten

A unique approach to the fundamentals of basketball. This book is a must read for any player, coach, or spectator.

— Morgan Wootten, all-time winningest high school basketball coach, hall of famer, and the Naismith Foundation's "Coach of the Century"

Brenda Frese

We analyze and overanalyze the game from so many different angles that it is hard to find a new one. John Fontanella has done just that, breaking the game down in a very interesting way.

— Brenda Frese, Head Coach, University of Maryland (2006 NCAA Champions)

From the Publisher

A unique approach to the fundamentals of basketball. This book is a must read for any player, coach, or spectator.
—Morgan Wootten, all-time winningest high school basketball coach, hall of famer, and the Naismith Foundation’s “Coach of the Century”

We analyze and overanalyze the game from so many different angles that it is hard to find a new one. John Fontanella has done just that, breaking the game down in a very interesting way.
—Brenda Frese, Head Coach, University of Maryland (2006 NCAA Champions)

John Fontanella, whose success as a shooter approached perfection, has applied physics to the everyday world of basketball. It will tremendously enhance the game that he loves. I highly recommend his book for coaches, players, and fans who want an insightful understanding of the science of shooting a basketball.
—Dr. C. Ronald Galbreath, Women’s Basketball Coach, Geneva College

Dr. C. Ronald Galbreath

John Fontanella, whose success as a shooter approached perfection, has applied physics to the everyday world of basketball. It will tremendously enhance the game that he loves. I highly recommend his book for coaches, players, and fans who want an insightful understanding of the science of shooting a basketball.

— Dr. C. Ronald Galbreath, Women’s Basketball Coach, Geneva College

Editorial Reviews

The Physics of Basketball takes the game to a whole new level.
—Bill Ingram, Executive Editor, Basketball News Services, Hoopsworld.com

An unusual book, certain to attract both the sports fan and the armchair scientist.
—Booklist

Perfect physics aid for basketball fans.
—Ken Zetie, Physics Education

Fontanella writes with humor and feeling.
—Earl Kelly, Annapolis Capital

He merges teaching about physics with tips on how to improve the game . . . With Fontanella's guidance, much is learned about physics, basketball, and the scientific method. Highly recommended.
—Choice

The Physics of Basketball bridges the gap between sports science and coaching by introducing many practical ideas that have likely never been considered . . . recommended reading for all basketball coaches.
—Steve Watkins, International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching

From the Publisher

The Physics of Basketball bridges the gap between sports science and coaching by introducing many practical ideas that have likely never been considered . . . recommended reading for all basketball coaches.

International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching - Steve Watkins

He merges teaching about physics with tips on how to improve the game . . . With Fontanella's guidance, much is learned about physics, basketball, and the scientific method. Highly recommended.

Choice

Fontanella writes with humor and feeling.

Annapolis Capital - Earl Kelly

The Physics of Basketball takes the game to a whole new level.

Hoopsworld.com - Bill Ingram

An unusual book, certain to attract both the sports fan and the armchair scientist.

Booklist

Perfect physics aid for basketball fans.

Physics Education - Ken Zetie

"An unusual book, certain to attract both the sports fan and the armchair scientist."

Booklist

The Physics of Basketball bridges the gap between sports science and coaching by introducing many practical ideas that have likely never been considered... recommended reading for all basketball coaches.

— Steve Watkins

International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching

Fontanella writes with humor and feeling.

— Earl Kelly

Annapolis Capital

Perfect physics aid for basketball fans.

— Ken Zetie

Physics Education

The Physics of Basketball takes the game to a whole new level.

— Bill Ingram, Executive Editor, Basketball News Services

Hoopsworld.com