ABSTRACT
Ball-like objects must have been kicked competitively for thousands of years. The bounce seems so natural that the need for an explanation might not be apparent. When solid balls bounce it is the elasticity of the material of the ball which allows the bounce. It might be expected that the pressure changes arising from the deformation of the ball are important for the bounce, but this is not so. To clarify this one first examine the pressure changes which do occur. With a ball that is rotating before the bounce the behaviour is more complicated, depending on the direction and magnitude of the rotation. Players can use the opposite effect of backspin on the ball to slow a flighted pass at the first bounce. The backspin slows the run of the ball and can make it easier for the receiving player to keep possession. As with a bounce on the ground, the bounce from the crossbar induces a spin.
