In the opening match of soccer’s World Cup Friday, German midfielder Torsten Frings scored an amazing goal from 40 yards out. The ball started off straight and then tailed sharply to the right in the last 10 yards or so. It was an unstoppable shot, but with a different ball it might have been a simple save.
A scientist has explained why a new ball being used in this year’s World Cup is frustrating goalies.
The new Adidas Teamgeist football, as it is called, has 14 panels instead of the 26 or 32 that traditionally create the hexagonal pattern.
Fewer panels means fewer seams, which will make the ball behave more like a baseball, says Ken Bray, a sports scientist at the University of Bath in the UK.
Source: LiveScience
A scientist has explained why a new ball being used in this year’s World Cup is frustrating goalies.
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