NFL Kicking and Newton's Second Law of Motion

Introduction

• To be an NFL kicker requires more than just physical strength; it involves physics, particularly Newton's Second Law of Motion.
• Newton's laws, established in 1687, explain the movement of objects.

Newton's Second Law of Motion

• The law states that the force applied to an object is equal to the mass of the object multiplied by its acceleration: F = MA.
• To accelerate an object like a football, a force must be applied.

Application in NFL Kicking

• NFL kicker Morton Anderson demonstrated a kick using a high-speed phantom camera.
• The kick involves precise steps:
  • Three steps are taken to minimize block chance.
  • The plant foot provides a stable platform for the kick.
  • The moment of truth occurs when the plant foot hits the ground next to the ball.

The Kick Mechanics

• Utilizes the entire leg to build necessary force to kick the ball.
• Kicker's foot is in contact with the ball for only eight one-thousandths of a second.
• During this brief contact, up to a ton of force is exerted.

Impulse in Physics

• Impulse is the product of force and the duration of time the force is applied (Force x delta T).
• Larger force or longer contact time results in a bigger impulse.
• Impulse leads to a change in momentum, affecting the speed of the football.

Mental Approach by Kickers

• Distance does not change the kicker's approach to the kick.
• Mentally, a longer field goal is approached like a shorter one to manage pressure.

Conclusion

• Regardless of the kick's length, Newton's Second Law is crucial for delivering successful field goals.