Why bend knees when landing in basketball?
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Answer: Extends landing time reducing force
Extends landing time reducing force ✓ — Correct! Force reduction physics! Impulse-momentum theorem: F×t = m×Δv. Change in momentum (landing) is constant. Increase time t → decrease force F! Bending knees extends deceleration time—spreads impact. Stiff-leg landing: very short time, enormous force (ACL tears, fractures). Bent knees: muscles (quads, hamstrings) absorb energy like shock absorbers. Proper technique: land toe-ball-heel, knees bent, hips back. Prevents catastrophic injuries. Same principle: parachute landing falls, parkour rolls!
Improves balance only — Wrong. Bent knees help balance, but primary purpose is extending landing time to reduce peak impact force (impulse-momentum).
Knees store energy like batteries — Wrong. Knees are joints, not energy storage devices. Bending them extends deceleration time, reducing dangerous impact forces—it's physics, not batteries.