Basketball Surfaces and Coefficient of Restitution

Abstract

A basketball was released from varying drop heights to simulate the impact speeds of a typical soft, medium, and hard dribble. This was repeated across four different surfaces that students typically play on – exposed aggregate concrete, maple wood flooring, EPI Outdoor Sport flooring, and playground rubber mesh. From the measured drop and bounce heights, the coefficient of restitution (COR) was calculated. It was concluded that only playground rubber mesh had COR’s below the regulation range, with the other three surfaces having COR’s within regulation.