CONTENTS
Foreword = ⅷ
Acknowledgments = ⅸ
Credits = ⅹ
Part One Understanding Mechanics and Sport Technique = 1
Chapter 1 Introduction : Making a Smart Move = 3
Sport Mechanics = 4
Mechanical Principles = 4
Technique = 4
The Failure of Traditional Training Methods = 6
Getting the Most From Mechanics of Sport = 6
How Mechanics of Sport Will Help You = 6
How Mechanics of Sport Is Organized = 8
Review Questions = 9
Chapter 2 Starting With Basics = 10
Body Weight = 11
Mass = 11
Inertia = 12
Speed, Acceleration, and Velocity = 13
How Gravity Affects Athletic Performance = 14
How Gravity Affects Flight = 19
How Variations in Density Can Shift the Center of Gravity = 20
How the Reaction Force of the Earth Acts on Athletes = 20
Force = 22
Force Vectors = 22
An Athlete's Movement = 24
Projectiles = 26
Summary = 28
Review Questions = 29
Chapter 3 Getting a Move On = 30
Forces at Work in a Sprint Start = 31
Momentum = 32
Impulse = 33
Work = 37
Power = 38
Energy = 38
Rebound = 42
Friction = 44
Summary = 48
Review Questions = 49
Chapter 4 Rocking and Rolling = 50
Angular Motion = 52
Components of Lever Systems = 52
Torque = 53
Types of Levers = 54
Advantages and Disadvantages of Limb Length = 58
Initiating Rotation = 60
Angular Velocity = 64
Inertia, Centripetal Force, and Centrifugal Force = 65
Rotary Inertia = 68
Angular Momentum = 72
Summary = 86
Review Questions = 87
Chapter 5 Don't Be a Pushover! = 88
Equilibrium, Balance, and Stability = 89
Linear Stability = 89
Linear Stability and Friction = 90
Rotary Stability = 90
Skills That Require Minimal Stability = 101
Rotary Stability When Twisting, Turning, or Spinning = 101
Summary = 103
Review Questions = 103
Chapter 6 Going With the Flow = 104
Hydrostatic Pressure = 105
Buoyancy = 106
Drag = 109
Lift = 118
Summary = 127
Review Questions = 128
Part Two Putting Your Knowledge of Mechanics to Work = 129
Chapter 7 Analyzing Sport Skills = 130
Step 1. Determine the Objectives of the Skill = 131
Step 2. Note Any Special Characteristics of the Skill = 132
Step 3. Study Top-Flight Performances of the Skill = 135
Step 4. Divide the Skill Into Phases = 136
Step 5. Divide Each Phase Into Key Elements = 138
Step 6. Understand the Mechanical Reasons Each Key Element Is Performed as It Is = 139
Summary = 141
Review Questions = 141
Chapter 8 Identifying and Correcting Errors in Sport Skills = 142
Step 1. Observe the Complete Skill = 143
Step 2. Analyze Each Phase and Its Key Elements = 146
Step 3. Use Your Knowledge of Sport Mechanics in Your Analysis = 148
Step 4. Select Errors to Be Corrected = 153
Step 5. Decide on Appropriate Methods for the Correction of Errors = 153
Summary = 156
Review Questions = 157
Chapter 9 Mechanics of Selected Sport Skills = 159
Before You Start = 161
Running Skills = 162
Swimming Skills = 165
Jumping Skills = 168
Throwing, Striking, and Kicking Skills = 171
Pulling, Pushing, Lifting, and Carrying Skills = 181
Swinging and Rotating Skills = 184
Equilibrium and Stability = 190
Arresting Motion = 193
Answers to Questions = 196
Glossary = 201
Bibliography = 207
Index = 208
About the Author = 213
