A large number of sporting events contain the motion of a projectile; yet research papers have appeared only intermittently on the mathematical techniques associated with projectiles in sport. A recent book by Hart and Croft (1988) presents a subset of these techniques for a small selection of events. The aim of the current book is to present a unified collection of the many problems that can be tackled and of all the mathematical techniques that can be employed.

The mathematical foundations of the subject of projectiles were developed from investigations of the motion of bullets and shells. There are some excellent texts describing this research in detail, the best being by McShane, Kelley and Reno (1953). Emphasis here will be on the non-military applications of the behaviour of projectiles in flight, which have received only limited attention.

The purpose of the book is to collect together the various mathematical tools and techniques that will help the reader solve many projectile problems associated with sport or recreation. It begins at an undergraduate level, and emphasises the usefulness of this special topic as a way of teaching mathematical modelling (de Mestre, 1977). A basic knowledge of classical dynamics, calculus, vectors, differential equations and their numerical solution is assumed. At the end of each chapter are exercises, many of which lead on to suitable research projects for honours or masters students.