• Question: What is it that makes the World Cup ball so bad in the air and why?

    Asked by 07jonesm to Hywel, Emma on 16 Jun 2010 in Categories: .
    • Photo: Emma Carter

      Emma Carter answered on 16 Jun 2010:

      Apparently it’s a different shape – which is weird because I thought they were generally always spherical. Anyway, if that’s the case, the shape would change the ball’s aerodynamic properties as it goes through the air which would affect its speed and trajectory.

    • Photo: Hywel Vaughan

      Hywel Vaughan answered on 16 Jun 2010:

      I have spent quite a bit of time reading up on this – very interesting!
      The Jabulani (the name of the ball being used in this year’s world cup) is quite radically different from previous balls – it only has eight panels to make up its surface. This is compared to 2006’s ball which has 14 panels. It is also covered in tiny bumps and grooves that reportedly make it more stable in flight, but there has been a lot of disagreement about this!
      The grooves and bumps are meant to smooth airflow around the ball; thus reducing drag and making the ball fly quicker, however it appears that this airflow is causing the ball to perform erratically and change direction mid flight. There is a really interesting video on the design of it here if you wish!
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5Fnb21ysBc
      It should be noted here though that this was recorded before people started having problems with them! Is it that the ball is the problem, or that the footballers are not used to playing with a highly accurate ball so are kicking it wrong?

Comments