October 8, 2009David Toback

Professor of Physics and Astronomy

Prof. David TobackDepartment of Physics

and Astronomy

Fun things to watch for during a Football

game… Physics in Motion

October 13, 2011David Toback

Professor of Physics and Astronomy

Watching a Football Game Learning a little more about the science of football can help you understand what makes a team successful

(and watching fun)

I’ll show some video and point out some fun things to look for

when you are watching the game

October 13, 2011David Toback

Professor of Physics and Astronomy

Overview• Offense: Trying to score a

touchdown• Defense: Trying to prevent a

touchdown• Kicking a Field goal: Instead of

kicking it into the net (soccer), kick it through the uprights.

Say a few words and then watch some examples

October 13, 2011David Toback

Professor of Physics and Astronomy

The Physics• Football, like most sports, is a

game of speed and power– The people protecting the

quarterback are enormous, ~300 lbs (~150 kg)

• The quarterback can throw a ball over 70 yards (~70 meters)

• The people trying to catch the ball are incredibly fast, some have run track in the Olympics!

• Kickers can put it through the uprights over 50 yards away (~50 meters)

October 13, 2011David Toback

Professor of Physics and Astronomy

Speed AND Size • If you are trying to run with the

ball, then the bigger you are the more energy you have to not get tackled (you can break out of their arms!)

• However: – Most really heavy people can’t run

very fast– Most people who can run really fast

aren’t very heavy• What makes these men special is that

they are both big AND fast

October 13, 2011David Toback

Professor of Physics and Astronomy

Offense

• Offense: A running back’s effectiveness is dependent on his energy, which is a combination of both his mass and his speed (mostly his speed)

• Adrian Peterson: • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmrAyU3

HcU0

• Cyrus Gray:• http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=N4cUrBc8cdQ

• One more quick one• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wl23SZ83L5o

October 13, 2011David Toback

Professor of Physics and Astronomy

October 13, 2011David Toback

Professor of Physics and Astronomy

Defense• Defense: A defense's

effectiveness is dependent on the same thing–Again, a combination of mass

and speed• Having big guys who can run fast

is the ultimate advantage

• "The Hit" which is the ultimate combination of size and speed– Video clip 1 – Video clip 2

The Arm Strength and the Speed of Quarterbacks•A quarterback must be fast,

and have a strong and accurate throw

• Being able to find a reciever• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87Ly-

BV6eYs

• Long pass: Michael Vick http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTAiypz60dM

October 13, 2011David Toback

Professor of Physics and Astronomy

Field Goal Kick

• Professional kicker puts a field goal through the uprights 63 yards away

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVqL26jiJ68

• Is

October 13, 2011David Toback

Professor of Physics and Astronomy

October 13, 2011David Toback

Professor of Physics and Astronomy

PuntingA punter kicks the football to a

person downfield. While the ball is in the area his team runs down the field to try and tackle the guy who just caught the ball

October 8, 2009David Toback

Professor of Physics and Astronomy

Kick #3: •Good enough: Goes pretty far!

•Good enough: Spends a good amount of time in the air so the people trying to tackle have enough time to get there!

Kick #2: •Good: Spends a long time in the air so the person trying to catch it has to wait. This gives the people who want to tackle him LOTS of time to get there!

•Bad: Doesn’t go very far!

Kick #1: •Good: Goes really far!•Bad: Doesn’t spend a long time in the air! Person catching it will have lots of time to start running before the people trying to tackle him get there. He can build up speed! Makes him harder to catch and tackle

Perfect Balance!

October 13, 2011David Toback

Professor of Physics and Astronomy

•Next time you’re at a Football game, watch the power and speed

•Enjoy your Aggies!