Football Biomechanics

Football Biomechanics explores the latest knowledge of this core discipline in sport science across all codes of the sport. Encompassing a variety of styles, including original scientific studies, syntheses of the latest research, and position statements, the text offers readers the most up-to-date and comprehensive reference of the underlying mechanics of high-level football performance.

The book is divided into five parts, covering fundamental football actions, the biomechanics of direct free kicks, footwear, biomechanical considerations in skill acquisition and training, and artificial turf. It bridges the gap between theory and practice in a variety of key areas such as:

• ball kicking mechanics (in soccer and other football codes)
• ball impact dynamics
• aerodynamics of ball flight
• special techniques (such as the ‘knuckle ball shot’) by world-famous players
• the efficacy and development of footwear
• biomechanical and motor performance differences between female and male soccer players
• artificial turf from an injury and a performance perspective.

Made up of contributions from leading experts from around the world, Football Biomechanics is a vital resource for researchers and practitioners working in all football codes, and useful applied reading for any sport science student with an interest in football.