Angles, Dinks & Drives: Serving up the Physics of Pickleball

by Jeff Ofstedahl

Overview

Pickleball instructor Jeff Ofstedahl is an award-winning journalist and native Arizonan. As a high school engineering teacher, university adjunct professor, and NASA Education Ambassador, he was drawn to the physics underlying the game of pickleball. In this book, Ofstedahl combines his love of science and the game into an easy-to-read examination of questions such as:

How fast is the ball really moving?

Is there a better angle for winning serves?

How much force does it take to ... ?

What does spin actually do to the ball?

How do I avoid low-probability shots?

Is being at the kitchen mathematically advantageous?

With experimentation using timers, force sensors, radar, a wind tunnel, and NASA computer simulators, Ofstedahl leads us down a road where science and sport come together - where the rubber meets the court, so to speak.

Filled with more than 70 images and tables, this book is a "How To" guide on how a little knowledge behind the science and math involved can improve your pickleball game.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780578931890
Publisher:	Jeffrey Ofstedahl
Publication date:	07/23/2021
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	118
File size:	6 MB

About the Author

Pickleball instructor Jeff Ofstedahl is an award-winning journalist and native Arizonan. As a high school engineering teacher, university adjunct professor, and NASA Education Ambassador, he was drawn to the physics underlying the game of pickleball. In this book, Ofstedahl combines his love of science and the game into an easy-to-read examination of such topics as: How fast is the ball really moving? Is there a better angle for winning serves? How much force does it take to ... ? What does spin actually do to the ball? How do I avoid low-probability shots? Is being at the kitchen mathematically advantageous? With experimentation using timers, force sensors, radar, NASA computer simulators, and a wind tunnel, Ofstedahl leads us down a road where science and sport come together - where the rubber meets the court, so to speak. This book is a "How To" guide on when a little knowledge behind the science and math involved can improve your pickleball game. Tr Tr

Table of Contents

Introduction: In the beginning

CHAPTER 1: Infinite angles of opportunity

CHAPTER 2: Going for a drive

CHAPTER 3: Arcing drives

CHAPTER 4: The serve

CHAPTER 5: Returning the serve

CHAPTER 6: Angling for a better return of serve

CHAPTER 7: The third shot and beyond

CHAPTER 8: The third shot drop

CHAPTER 9: Speed and the use of force

CHAPTER 10: Spin & aerodynamics