Why NBA Players Keep Slipping (And It's Not Their Shoes) | Curvilinear Running Explained

Ever wonder why elite athletes like Jason Tatum sometimes slip when cutting around defenders? The answer lies in a fundamental misunderstanding between turning and curving that's costing athletes performance and injuries.

In this episode, we break down the critical difference between radial and curvilinear running—concepts that sports science has been confusing for years. We dive deep into why most "3D" analysis tools are actually just 2D, how markerless motion capture ignores your unique anatomy, and why that defensive end can't just "lean" into his rush around the tackle.

🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Rotation ≠ Revolution: Turning your body doesn't automatically create curved movement
• Lean is a result, not the cause of effective cutting
• 5 ground contacts are ideal for smooth redirection and reorientation
• Each foot has a specific role: outside foot redirects, inside foot reorients
• Force is vector-based and doesn't turn on its own

⚡ REAL EXAMPLES:

• NFL defensive ends rushing the QB
• High jumpers attempting curves in 3 steps
• NBA players slipping on cuts around defenders

Perfect for coaches, athletes, and anyone interested in the physics of human movement!