The physics of a free throw
The arc of triumph
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The spin doctor
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The kinetic pipeline
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The chaotic court
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YOUR GOAL
Master of The physics of a free throw
dave Physics of the Free Throw
Fifty-two degrees up (spin it back!) / Three spins in the air (swish it, yeah!)
Magic launch angle: Launching a basketball at 52 degrees makes the 18-inch rim behave as if it is nearly its full size.
A symmetrical open plane curve formed by the intersection of a cone with a plane parallel to its side. Science writer Nick D'Alto analyzed this curve to help players master their basketball free throws.
What is the absolute minimum entry angle at which a basketball can physically fit through a hoop?
What is the optimal launch angle for a standard six-foot basketball player throwing a free throw?
How does a taller basketball player's optimal launch angle compare to a shorter player's?
What happens to the effective target size of the basketball hoop as the ball's entry angle becomes flatter?
Why does a 90-degree straight-down entry angle offer the maximum physical clearance for a basketball?