Shooting...Perhaps the most interesting piece of the physics of basketball is seen in the shot. There are two main points of emphasis on shooting the basketball: the shot itself and the spin on the ball. First of all let’s establish two different types of shots the jump shot and the lay up. For the jump shot, there is little horizontal movement because the jump shot deals more with vertical movement. The ball itself is pushed off of his or her finger tips and the force and angle is applied upon release. Jeff Hornacek, NBA player, uses a different type of jump shot. He uses more of a running jump shot. Therefore, in the case of his jump shot there is more of a horizontal movement and a lesser amount of the vertical movement. “By not pushing the shot toward the basket, he doesn't add velocity to the ball. Rather, allowing his running speed that he is traveling to be the horizontal velocity” (Kentridge). The running jump shot is a fairly rare type of shot used by players. The lay up, however, is a shot based more on momentum. “The velocity on the ball is the sum of the shooters speed and the balls speed” (Flores 2) so on the case of a lay up the ball doesn't need as much force and is basically dropped into the basket, especially in a dunk. For anyone interested in knowing the required angle and velocity of a shot from anywhere on the court within 78 feet from the basket they can go to the website.
http://www2.hesston.edu/Physics/Basketball/Paperpg.htm |