Silverberg (2012) made use of multiple three-dimensional simulations of basketball trajectories to determine the optimum release conditions for the free throw in men's basketball. Five release variables: release height, release speed, launch angle, side angle, and backspin, were involved in his research.
With the help of modern technology, Silverberg(2012) found out that the formula for perfect accuracy is a combination of a launch angle of 52 degrees, at three revolutions per second of backspin; and aiming for a spot 7 centimetres back from the centre of the basket, towards the back of the rim. He further concluded that, with backspin, if the ball hits the rim or backboard; the contact deadens the ball. This means if the basket comes off slower, it will stays closer to the basket and thus is more likely to fall in the net. Moreover, he found that it is desirable to release the ball as high above the ground as possible, as long as this does not adversely affect the player's launch consistency.
Silverberg (2012) found that connecting all the aim points will produce a pattern that looks like the letter “v” , which shows which part of the board will be more likely to make the basketball rebound into the basket.
Silverberg (2012) found that connecting all the aim points will produce a pattern that looks like the letter “v” , which shows which part of the board will be more likely to make the basketball rebound into the basket.
Silverberg concluded that this rule can increase the players’ shooting percentage of accuracy by 20 percent. Begley (2011) commented that Silverberg’s experiments had managed to fill a gaping hole in basketball wisdom. However his research only focused on specific points on the courts. Because experiments cannot cover all circumstances, and thus it could be further extended to general points on the courts. Furthermore, it requires many equipment to carry on the experiments which is not available to students.