Pass, dribble and shoot! It is time for March Mania basketball – one of the most famous annual sporting events in the US. Whether you are watching college teams on TV or playing in the backyard, basketball is fun because of Science! I betcha’ didn’t know there was science involved in the sport of basketball!
Bouncing the ball on the ground, passing to your teammate, and shooting at the goal all depend on physics, math and the laws of motion.
Basketball is considered the first sport that completely originated in the United States. It was invented in December of 1891 when Dr. James Naismith nailed up some peach baskets in a gym. Basketballs today are designed to bounce around the court and soar in an orange arc from your hands into the basket. But were they always like this? Why do they have those bumps on them?
When the sport was first invented soccer balls were used and players had a harder time holding on to and dribbling the ball than they did shooting a basket.![]()
The orange, bumpy ball we know today was developed as a result of problems players were having trying to play this brand new game.
Changes they made to the ball included making them bigger and adding bumps to the leather surface. This added bounce and friction to the equation. Modern basketballs are hollow with an inflatable inner rubber bladder and have a small opening that lets you control the air pressure. This hollow center is generally wrapped in layers of fiber and finally covered with leather, which is usually bright orange so players can easily see them. They took a problem – slippery, not so bouncy ball – and engineered a solution!
Basketballs bounce because of the pressurized air inside of them, gravity and Newton’s Laws of Motion.
When you dribble a basketball, your hand and gravity both push the ball towards the ground (Law #1). As it drops, the ball accelerates and speeds up (Law #2).
It wants to stay in motion so the ball pushes into the ground when it hits, compressing the air inside. The ground pushes up with an equal, but opposite amount of force resulting in the ball bouncing back up in to your hand (Law #3). The energy in the compressed air is transferred back to the ball pushing it back into motion. If you were to take your hand away and stop dribbling, the ball would continue to bounce due to Newton’s first law, but would slow down and eventually stop due to friction.
The more air pressure inside, the harder it will push on the sides of the ball and the more bounce you’ll get. This is why an under inflated ball won’t bounce very well because there is not enough air pressure inside to maintain the forces necessary for bounce.
So the last detail they added to their new ball was little bumps on the surface of the leather called pebbling. Adding these bumps was all about friction.
When forces collide, friction naturally slows things down over time and the more points of contact an object has with another surface the more friction comes into play. So the bumps on the basketball basically increase the surface area of the ball and the amount of friction acting on it. This makes the pebbled ball ideal for a player to grip, pass quickly, and dribble without fear that the ball will slip away in a random direction.
Next time you shoot some hoops, observe all the features of the basketball that make it special. It’s a great example of engineering and American innovation in action!
Try this fun, at-home STEM basketball activity: http://sciencemadefunwnc.net/downloads/basketball_STEM.pdf
Categories E-News HTHTTags basketball, bounce, friction, march, motion, newton's laws, science of basketball, STEM
With the NBA playoffs underway, basketball is a popular topic these days.
Not to mention that with summer around the corner, kids everywhere will be running out to the courts to shoot hoops with friends.
Initially, basketball seems so simple with just a ball and net, but there is actually a lot of science involved in the sport. Players can engage their muscles, cardio-vascular systems, hand-eye coordination, and agility. And there are scientific principles involved in every play. Trajectory, force, gravity, energy, motion, air pressure, percentage all interplay to make a successful game. Consider this…despite what most people might think, aiming for the center of the basket actually decreases the likelihood of a successful shot!
I love all things science and am passionate about bringing science to the public through writing. With an M.S. in Genetics and experience in cancer research, marketing and technical writing, it is a pleasure to share the latest trends and findings in science on LabRoots.
Bees are incredible social hardworking insects. From drones, working bees to the queen bee, everyone has a role. They ar ...
Have you ever wondered what goes on in the mind of a serial killer? Since 1980, there have been a total of 87 classified .
..
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Snow? It might be hitting the slopes, sitting by the firepl ...
The holiday season is upon us, and to wrap-up the year and get you into the holiday spirit, we are dedicating the last i ...
Legislation is opening more and more doors for cannabis- causing an explosion in both research and marketing campaigns f .
..
Summary: Bioluminescence is a chemical reaction where light is produced by organisms to hunt prey, defend against predat ...
ped. Sciences, Dean
Tula State Pedagogical University. L.N. Tolstoy" , Tula region "Methodological substantiation of the development of physical culture of the personality of university students in basketball classes"
The article deals with the issue of the influence of a special methodology on the development of physical culture of the personality of university students.
According to the author, the development of culture is possible due to a methodology aimed at developing those personal qualities that are needed to solve the problems of physical fitness, spiritual and intellectual development of students.
Physical culture and sports Publication date: 05/31/2022
Rate the material Average rating: 0 (Total: 0)
Bessonov Nikita Vladimirovich , student
Agafonov Sergey Valerievich , senior teacher, associate professor
FSBEITIA University , Rostov Region
“Interesting facts about basketball”
9000 9000, contains somewhat interesting facts about the game of basketball. Basketball has a long and interesting history. Here is a list of interesting facts about basketball that fans of this game need to know. The purpose of this article: to attract the attention of students with entertaining facts.
Theory and methods of additional education for children Date of publication: 10/17/2022
Rate the material Average score: 0 (Total: 0)
Eremina Sergeevna » , Tula region
"Development of manual dexterity among schoolchildren 12–13 years old involved in basketball in the school section"
The article deals with the development of manual dexterity in schoolchildren involved in basketball in the school section
Pedagogy Date of publication: 02/26/2022
Assess the Material Average rating: 0 (total: 0)
CDUZura
Dumchene Leonovna , Dr. Sociol. Sciences, Dr. ped. Sciences, Professor
Lithuanian University of Sports , Lithuania
"Emotional intelligence of basketball players of different skill levels"
This study was aimed at studying the emotional intelligence of basketball players of different skill levels.
The study involved 33 athletes of an average level of skill and 33 of a higher level of skill. The study used the Schutte Emotional Intelligence Scale (SEIS). According to the results of the study, athletes with a higher level of skill have a significant assessment of the ability to understand and analyze emotions (p 0.05).
Physical culture and sports Publication date: 01/18/2022
Rate the material Average rating: 0 (Total: 0)
Malinauskas Romualdas Kazimerovich , Dr. Ped. Sci. basketball. To achieve this goal, a test of success strategies was used as a methodological tool, designed to assess the psychological sports skills used both during competitions and in training. The results showed that juniors, in comparison with cadets, have higher indicators in the "Goal Setting" and "Internal Dialogue" strategies.
Physical education and health-saving activities Date of publication: 05.
04.2021.
Assess the Material Evaluation: 0 (total: 0)
Lukoshevichyus Martinas , undergraduate
Dumchenena Leonovna , d-r. sociological Sciences, Dr. ped. Sciences, Professor
Lithuanian University of Sports 0007 The study was aimed at studying the characteristics of the emotional intelligence of basketball coaches. The study involved 22 basketball coaches (12 men and 10 women). The concept of emotional intelligence in this work is the ability to regulate social and emotional behavior. The study used the Schütte questionnaire. According to the results, women had significantly (p
Publication date: 06/25/2021
Rate the material Average rating: 0 (Total: 0)
Malinauskas Romualdas Kazimerovich , Dr. Ped. Sciences, professor
Ajauskas Sarunas , student
Lithuanian University of Sports , Lithuania
“Peculiarities of leadership qualities of a coach through the eyes of basketball players”
The purpose of the study is to study the features of leadership qualities of a coach through the eyes of young and adult basketball players.
To achieve this goal, the scale of leadership in sports developed by Chelladurai was used as a methodological tool. It turned out that juniors were more favorable to the behavior of the coach than adult basketball players. Junior basketball players are characterized by a more positive assessment of such leadership qualities of a coach: behavior during briefing, social support and positive feedback.
Date of publication: 22.03.2021
Rate the material Average score: 0 (Total: 0)
Velanishkite Agniya , master student
Dumchene Audrone Leonovna , doctor of sociology Sciences, Dr. ped. Sciences, Professor
Lithuanian University of Sports , Lithuania
“Manifestation of sports identity of young basketball players”
The aim of the study was to identify differences in the sports identity of young basketball players (16–18 years old). It was revealed that many indicators of the sports identity of young basketball players selected for the national team were higher than those of those not invited to the national team.
The latter had a strongly pronounced negative affectivity.
Physical culture and sport Publication date: 12.02.2021
Rate the material Average rating: 0 (Total: 0)
Ushpurene Aiste Barbora , dr. Sciences, Lecturer, Lecturer
Janavičius Žygimantas Master student
Lithuanian University of Sports Lithuania
“Peculiarities of training highly qualified basketball players”
Study of the training of highly qualified basketball players is necessary in order to stay in the lead; in order to predict their sports future, to debug the training program, an appropriate database is needed. The purpose of the study is to analyze the literature to identify the features of the training of highly qualified basketball players.
Pedagogy Date of publication: 03.07.2020.
Assess the material Average score: 0 (total: 0)
Boyarkina Elena Aronovna , Head
Boyarkina Alena Evgenievna , Physical Culture Instructor
Kuropatkina Anastasia Arkadyevna , teacher-psychologist
MBDOU "D / S No.
10" , Irkutsk region
"Basketball elements as a means of physical education for children of senior preschool age"
The article presents a theoretical analysis of the means of physical education of children in preschool educational institutions. The authors considered the use of elements of basketball in physical education classes.
Publication date: 03/25/2020
Rate the material Average rating: 0 (Total: 0)
Boyarkina Alena Evgenievna , physical education instructor
MBDOU "D / S №10"
"Elements of team sports as a means of physical education of preschool children"
The article considers the use of elements of team sports, and specifically basketball, as a means of physical education of preschool children in an educational organization. The author examined in detail the physical activity of a preschooler when playing basketball.
Physical education and health-saving activities Date of publication: 03/05/20200005, Dr.
ped. Sciences, Professor
Balciunas Paulius , Master's student
Lithuanian University of Sports , Lithuania
"Peculiarities of mental stability of basketball players - cadets and juniors"
To achieve this goal, the MTQ48 questionnaire was used as a methodological tool. The results showed that the cadets have higher scores on the "Reaction to the challenge" and "Control" scales compared to junior basketball players.
Publication date: 01/09/2020
Rate the material Average rating: 0 (Total: 0)
Malinauskas Romualdas Kazimerovich Sci., Professor
Zablotskis Sarunas , Master student
Lithuanian University of Sports . To achieve this goal, the Sports Experience Research Questionnaire (SEQ) developed by Luigi, Maiano and Griffett was used as a methodological tool. It turned out that junior basketball players have significantly richer competitive experience and experience of sports progress than cadet basketball players.
When assessing the experience of risk readiness, no statistically significant differences were found between the groups of cadets and juniors.
Psychology Publication date: 01/06/2020
Rate the material Average rating: 0 (Total: 0)
Malinauskas Romualdas Kazimerovich , Dr. Ped. Sciences, Professor
Vaitkevičius Vaidas , Student
Lithuanian University of Sports , Lithuania
“Leadership Styles of Young and Adult Basketball Players”
To achieve this goal, the leadership questionnaire developed by Nordhaus was used as a methodological tool. It turned out that leadership styles in adult basketball players are significantly more pronounced than in young basketball players. Adult basketball players are more characterized by directive leadership, supportive leadership, and participatory leadership.
Pedagogy Publication date: 12/20/2019
Rate the material Average score: 0 (Total: 0)
Leonov Dmitry Yurevich 5 , student
Inko.
ped. Sci., Senior Lecturer
Rostov branch of the Russian Customs Academy Rostov Region
Basketball Throw Requirements and Theory for Beginners
Basketball techniques are diverse. The article is devoted to the most important technique - throws, the accuracy of which ultimately determines the success of the game.
Date of publication: 11/23/2019
Assess the material Average rating: 0 (total: 0)
Denisov Nikita Arkadievich , student
Tomilina Natalya Valerievna , student
Zdanovich Olga Sergeyevna , candies. ped. Sciences, Associate Professor
Tchaikovsky State Institute of Physical Culture , Perm Territory
"Formation of coordination abilities of students of the university of physical culture by means of basketball"
The article is devoted to the issue of the formation of coordination abilities of students of the higher educational institution of physical culture within the framework of mastering the discipline "Physical culture and sports improvement: basketball".
Theory and methodology of preschool education Date of publication: 02/22/2019
Assess material Average rating: 0 (total: 0)
Ermolaeva Larisa Alekseevna , Physical Culture Instructor
MBDOU " S №182" , Chuvash Republic - Chuvashia
"Sports club "School of the ball (elements of basketball)" for older preschoolers"
The article is devoted to the organization of the sports section for preschoolers "School of the ball (elements of basketball)". The stages of her work on teaching the elements of the game of basketball are presented.
Pedagogy Publication date: 02/18/2019
Rate the material Average rating: 0 (Total: 0)
Isanbaeva Yulia Viktorovna , teacher of physical culture
MBOU "Pioneer School named after. M.A. Evsyukova , Kamchatka Territory
Development of Motor Abilities at Basketball Training Sessions
The article describes the author's experience of developing the motor abilities of pupils in the implementation of the additional education program for the sports section in basketball.
Physical education and health-saving activities Publication date: 01/22/2019
Rate the material Average rating: 0 (Total: 0)
Malinauskas Romualdas Kazimerovich Sciences, Professor
Lavrinovich Daryush Yanovich , Master student
Lithuanian University of Sports , Lithuania
sociality of young and adult basketball players. To achieve this goal, a questionnaire (scale of sports sociality) by S. Koermer et al. was used as a methodological tool. The results showed that young basketball players tend to have more respectful behavior compared to adult basketball players.
Publication date: November 26, 2018
Rate the material Average rating: 0 (Total: 0)
Dumchene Audrone Leonovna Sciences, Dr. ped. Sciences, Professor
Lavrinovich Krzysztof , Master student
Lithuanian University of Sports , Lithuania
“Motivation of sports activities of basketball players”
In this study, a questionnaire was used - a scale of motivation in sports.
The results showed that the motives of sports activities of basketball players of different ages differ. If the internal motivation for achievements dominates in adults, then in young men the external motivation to identify themselves takes precedence.
Sociology Publication date: November 26, 2018
Rate the material Average score: 0 (Total: 0)
Dumchene Audrone Leonovna , Dr. Sciences, Dr. ped. Sciences, Professor
Dabasinskas Mantvidas , Applicant, Master student
Lithuanian University of Sports , Lithuania
“Aspects of the quality of life of basketball players”
The purpose of the study presented in this article is to identify self-assessment of the quality of life of basketball players of different age groups. The study used the Eliot questionnaire. The results showed that the quality of life index of young men and adults practically does not differ, but many private indicators of the quality of life of basketball players of different ages differ significantly.
Adults gave the highest scores to self-control and the ability to manage negative emotions, and young men gave the highest scores to external support and the hope of a sports career.
Physical education and health -saving activities Date of publication: 07/03/2018
Assess the Material Average Assessment: 0 (total: 0)
Zhizina Ekaterina Sergeevna , undergraduate
FSBEI PHOLOIKOVE Physical Institute culture” , Perm region
“Methods of coordinating training of female basketball players aged 17–19 by means of fitness technologies”
The author believes that the problem of training female basketball players in a university has always been and remains relevant. The article notes that special importance in physical training is given to the formation of coordination abilities.
Publication date: 04/05/2018
Rate the material Average rating: 0 (Total: 0)
Voronov Nikolai Andreevich , Ph.
biol. Sciences, Associate Professor
Yaroslavl State University. P.G. Demidov" , Yaroslavl region
"History of the development of the basketball association"
This work is devoted to the history of the game of basketball and the basketball association. The author defines basketball as one of the components of sports that influence the process of socialization.
Publication date: 03/27/2018
Rate the material Average rating: 0 (Total: 0)
Voronov Nikolay Andreevich , Ph. biol. Sci., Senior Lecturer
Yaroslavl Higher Military School of Air Defense of the Ministry of Defense of Russia Yaroslavl Region P.G. Demidov , Yaroslavl region
"Equipment for playing basketball"
This work is devoted to the disclosure of the concept of playing basketball and the use of equipment during the game. The authors examined the norms that must be met by equipment for playing basketball.
Publication date: 03/27/2018
Rate the material Average rating: 0 (Total: 0)
Voronov Nikolay Andreevich biol. Sciences, senior lecturer
FGKVOU VO "Yaroslavl Higher Military School of Air Defense" of the Ministry of Defense of Russia , Yaroslavl region
"Development of professional basketball in the world"
This work is devoted to the consecration of the stages of development of professional basketball in the world and its origin. The author examined in detail each stage of the development of this sport.
Sport is a science. Basketball // Watching
Sport is a science. Basketball // Watching 15 January 2014, 17:45
Today you will have an exciting meeting with the favorite sport of millions of people around the world - basketball.
eduall
