Magnus Effect - in Sport

In Sport

The Magnus effect explains commonly observed deviations from the typical trajectories or paths of spinning balls in sport, notably association football (soccer), table tennis, tennis, volleyball, golf, baseball, cricket and in paintball marker balls.

The curved path of a golf ball known as slice or hook is due largely to the ball's spinning motion (about its vertical axis) and the Magnus effect, causing a horizontal force that moves the ball from a straight-line in its trajectory. Back-spin (upper surface rotating backwards from the direction of movement) on a golf ball causes a vertical force that counteracts the force of gravity slightly, and enables the ball to remain airborne a little longer than it would were the ball not spinning: this allows the ball to travel farther than a non-spinning (about its horizontal axis) ball.

In table tennis, the Magnus effect is easily observed, because of the small mass and low density of the ball. An experienced player can place a wide variety of spins on the ball. Table tennis rackets usually have a surface made of rubber to give the racket maximum grip on the ball, to impart a spin.

The Magnus effect is not responsible for the movement of the cricket ball seen in swing bowling, although it does contribute to the motion known as drift in spin bowling.

In airsoft, a system known as Hop-Up is used to create a back-spin on a fired BB, which will greatly increase its range, using the Magnus effect in a similar manner as in golf.

In baseball, the spin of a baseball from a pitch influences the air running by a ball, creating low air pressure on one side of the ball; the ball will tend to curve toward the direction of low-pressure side of the ball. The PITCHf/x system measures the change in trajectory caused by Magnus in all pitches thrown in Major League Baseball.