Executing a dunk in a National Basketball League game takes a lot of practice. It also takes a lot of science! Readers discover the many areas of science that can be seen in action during a basketball game, including physics and biology. They also explore the ways science, technology, engineering, and math come together in the world of basketball. Colorful photographs, fact-filled sidebars, and helpful graphic organizers keep readers engaged as they explore basic STEM curriculum topics in a fresh way. Readers will be eager to visit the basketball court and see science in action after turning the final page.

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.

Describes the science behind the sport of basketball, including offense, defense, arenas, and trick plays.

The Science of Basketball is the only book to examine the scientific principles underpinning preparation and performance in basketball, applied to both individual and team contexts. Drawing on the very latest scientific evidence, and including contributions from leading international coaches and scientists involved in the sport, the book explores every aspect of physical and mental preparation and performance, including: strength and conditioning, and training strategies physiological aspects of performance nutrition and supplementation psychological preparation skill acquisition biomechanical aspects of performance performance analysis injury epidemiology, prevention and rehabilitation coach education Incorporating case studies at the end of each chapter to demonstrate how scientific principles can be applied to practice, the book bridges the gap between theory and applied practice in basketball better than any other. It is essential reading for any student, researcher, sport scientist, coach, physiotherapist or clinician with an interest in the game, and illuminative supplementary reading for students of sport science and sports coaching.

"Describes the science behind the sport of basketball"--

Excerpt from Scientific Basketball With the increasing interest in basketball as the game advanced in years came a wider experimentation in different styles of play. Where leagues and tournaments are formed and championship series for cups are played, teams invariably' make an annual house cleaning. Reviewing their record and making comparisons, they manage to find that in this manner. Their defense was inefficient, that by use of other formations their offense might have been strengthened, and generally invent new systems or experiment with those essayed by other teams. The game has consequently advanced. With every season it has grown more scientific, more complex, and more difficult to master. On the offensive, teams have attempted systems built around dribbling, others around long distance shooting and wholesale following up of shots; some have specialized in the long passing game; others have made use of no special system whatever but have relied upon individual strength. But in general the tendency of late has been to de velop the short, conservative passing game. Concerning styles of defensive play there have been even wider differences of opinion and greater experimentation. Many have advocated and made use of the zone defensive; some the first man thru system; others have believed in taking one's nearest unguarded Opponent. In recent years, the system which has rapidly gained in favor is the five-man style of defense in which each player is responsible through out the game, with but few exceptions, for the guarding of his Opponent. The five -man game has always been m use inprofessional circles and has only recently come over to the amateur class where it has met with only mediocre success owing to lack of experience and capable teaching. It seems inexplicable at first consideration of the subject why the amateur basketball player, as represented on the college and larger athletic club teams, is so much inferior to the man who makes the game of basketball a profession. We occasionally witness the graduation of a college baseball star right into the ranks of the Big Leagues and also note that the majority of the professional football elevens are recruited from amongst college stars of the so-called all-american cali bre. This sort of thing does not exist in basketball. I have never seen a college player in all my years of association with collegiate basketball who has had the ability, the polish, the experience required of a successful professional player. A great many collegiate court stars have the potential ability of great basketball players, but at the very height of their amateur game they seem to lack the fundamental groundwork which professional men carry on to the court with them. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.