What do you think?
Rate this book
The Science of Soccer
For the first time ever, science gives us the answers to questions like "what's the chance of a team that wins the League or Premiership also winning the Cup? Can you predict how many goals will be scored? What's the best height for footballers? Is the winning team the best team?" The Science of Soccer is a fascinating book, dealing with a wide range of subjects where scientific analysis can be applied to football. Starting with a qualitative description of the basic physics that relate to the ball and its bounce, the author then moves through kicks and throws to a simple account of the more complex physics of a ball in flight. Fulfilling your scientific curiosity, this book uncovers aspects of the game that are not normally discussed. It includes a look at game theory, how the rules affect the flow and enjoyment of the game, why the best team does not always win, unusual statistics about players, and an insight into the economics of the game.
- GenresPhysics
210 pages, Paperback
First published May 24, 2002
31 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 10, 2021
The Science of Soccer, John Wesson
First Edition, 2002
The world in its origin is a huge equation, whose phenomena are governed by mathematical formulas, numbers, and constants, whether we know them or not yet.
And our everyday world is part of this big world, governed by equations. From the movement of the cars we travel in, and the technological tools we use, to the games, including the beloved one: soccer.
Have you ever imagined a football match taking place on the surface of Mars between Liverpool and Barcelona? With a very thin atmosphere, and little gravity, how will the ball move when Messi kicks the ball towards Alison Baker? How will Mo Salah run?
I was trying from time to time to answer these questions in my mind until I read this book, which made me have a great chance to have a more in-depth understanding of the game that the majority of the world's people love. Of course, the book didn't offer straightforward answers to all of my questions, but at least it did guide me to the way to get answers. But I'm sure that the voice of "Sadio Mane" screaming at Salah after every missed chance, will probably not reach Salah due to the thin atmosphere there.
The Science of Soccer is a great attempt to present science in a "Soccer" format, written by theoretical physicist John Wesson in 2002, and then a later version was released in 2019, one year before the writer's death.
"Wesson" (in ten chapters) reviews several scientific concepts (mostly in physics and motion): such as elastic and inelastic collision, the coefficient of restitution, moments, inertia, and projectiles through the events of soccer matches such as kicking balls, saves by goalkeepers, collision with the goal post, analysis of the movement of the ball in the air and how it is affected by the wind and its movement, and other examples.
The writer was not satisfied with the physical and kinetic topics, but the chapters extended to include the laws of probability, and the economics of the game.
The first nine chapters did not include much mathematics, so as not to bother the non-specialist reader, but he did present mathematics in some detail in Chapter Ten.
The everyday life application of physics makes it closer to understanding than equations and abstract concepts, especially if it is an application that we deal with passionately as we deal with football, we like to play, and we love to watch. Therefore, I consider this book as a great opportunity that you can seize if you want to understand some physics and mechanics in an easy fun way.
First Edition, 2002
The world in its origin is a huge equation, whose phenomena are governed by mathematical formulas, numbers, and constants, whether we know them or not yet.
And our everyday world is part of this big world, governed by equations. From the movement of the cars we travel in, and the technological tools we use, to the games, including the beloved one: soccer.
Have you ever imagined a football match taking place on the surface of Mars between Liverpool and Barcelona? With a very thin atmosphere, and little gravity, how will the ball move when Messi kicks the ball towards Alison Baker? How will Mo Salah run?
I was trying from time to time to answer these questions in my mind until I read this book, which made me have a great chance to have a more in-depth understanding of the game that the majority of the world's people love. Of course, the book didn't offer straightforward answers to all of my questions, but at least it did guide me to the way to get answers. But I'm sure that the voice of "Sadio Mane" screaming at Salah after every missed chance, will probably not reach Salah due to the thin atmosphere there.
The Science of Soccer is a great attempt to present science in a "Soccer" format, written by theoretical physicist John Wesson in 2002, and then a later version was released in 2019, one year before the writer's death.
"Wesson" (in ten chapters) reviews several scientific concepts (mostly in physics and motion): such as elastic and inelastic collision, the coefficient of restitution, moments, inertia, and projectiles through the events of soccer matches such as kicking balls, saves by goalkeepers, collision with the goal post, analysis of the movement of the ball in the air and how it is affected by the wind and its movement, and other examples.
The writer was not satisfied with the physical and kinetic topics, but the chapters extended to include the laws of probability, and the economics of the game.
The first nine chapters did not include much mathematics, so as not to bother the non-specialist reader, but he did present mathematics in some detail in Chapter Ten.
The everyday life application of physics makes it closer to understanding than equations and abstract concepts, especially if it is an application that we deal with passionately as we deal with football, we like to play, and we love to watch. Therefore, I consider this book as a great opportunity that you can seize if you want to understand some physics and mechanics in an easy fun way.
March 25, 2020
This is not so much a book as a collection of columns on various football-related topics: from the bounce of a football, to the rules of the game, to players' salaries.
You may enjoy this book if you're interested in everything connected to football and don't mind a bit of geometry, physics and probability theory. Even then, don't expect to learn much of anything useful.
You may enjoy this book if you're interested in everything connected to football and don't mind a bit of geometry, physics and probability theory. Even then, don't expect to learn much of anything useful.
March 10, 2019
As Mr. Garrison said on South Park, "A little dry and science-y for for my taste but there you go." after Kyle's class presentation on gingers.
July 23, 2022
The best of the book is the last chapter. Ironically, it is the only one with enough equations. It has a lot af soccer facts that were unknown for me. A really enjoyable read.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews