Comments on: Caltech Scientists: Yes, the World Cup Ball Does Act Weird http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2010/06/28/caltech-scientists-yes-the-world-cup-ball-does-act-weird/ Mon, 22 Apr 2013 21:34:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: JSB http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2010/06/28/caltech-scientists-yes-the-world-cup-ball-does-act-weird/#comment-20134 JSB Sat, 03 Jul 2010 16:39:40 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/?p=16671#comment-20134 Two points - 1. The Germans were using this new ball throughout the Bundesliga season, while the rest of the teams only got to use it in the run up to the tournament. And yes, they look most comfortable with it. 2. We've seen hundreds of free-kicks and long-range shots clear the crossbar and keep on rising after that - by pro-footballers who have spent their lifetimes kicking balls. This is surely no coincidence. Two points – 1. The Germans were using this new ball throughout the Bundesliga season, while the rest of the teams only got to use it in the run up to the tournament. And yes, they look most comfortable with it. 2. We’ve seen hundreds of free-kicks and long-range shots clear the crossbar and keep on rising after that – by pro-footballers who have spent their lifetimes kicking balls. This is surely no coincidence.

]]> By: Eliza Strickland http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2010/06/28/caltech-scientists-yes-the-world-cup-ball-does-act-weird/#comment-20133 Eliza Strickland Tue, 29 Jun 2010 14:57:01 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/?p=16671#comment-20133 Great word, Jockaira -- "squirrelier"! -- Eliza, DISCOVER online news editor Great word, Jockaira — “squirrelier”!

– Eliza, DISCOVER online news editor

]]> By: Jockaira http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2010/06/28/caltech-scientists-yes-the-world-cup-ball-does-act-weird/#comment-20132 Jockaira Tue, 29 Jun 2010 13:59:51 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/?p=16671#comment-20132 If the new ball is squirrelier than the old, then that probably makes for a livelier game, and that's good all around. In the long run the controversy means very little, it's just another excuse for a clumsy player to rationalize his flub. Since both teams have to play with the same ball and suffer the same disadvantages, it will not make a significant difference in competitive scoring. If the new ball is squirrelier than the old, then that probably makes for a livelier game, and that’s good all around. In the long run the controversy means very little, it’s just another excuse for a clumsy player to rationalize his flub. Since both teams have to play with the same ball and suffer the same disadvantages, it will not make a significant difference in competitive scoring.

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