Another approach to explore the problem of basketball-shooting is to calculate the function between velocity (v) and angle (β) when we make a swish in a particular position (e.g. behind the free throw line etc). Yan (2008) suggested that the effect of air resistance could be neglected at the initial stage due to the slow speed, the short travelling time and the comparatively heavy weight of the basketball. Duan (2009) presumed that the height of the centre of gravity of the ball is 2.44 m. Then he deduced the function between the velocity (v) and the angle (β) of the ball when a swish is made.
Duan’s (2009) study found that when the factor of air resistance is considered, part of the velocity is used to overcome the air resistance. When the ball is travelling through air, the negative gradient of the graph of the dropping part will be steeper because of air resistance (the speed will increase by 5%). These two factors will increase the possible domain of v against β when the players make a shot.
Duan’s method is to use the function of oblique projectile to calculate the function between velocity and angle by replacing the two variables by the coordinates of points of the basket. However, Duan’s research only focuses on the free throw line and his method is limited only for swish. How we are going to address them is to study the situation of bank shot on different positions on the court.
Duan’s method is to use the function of oblique projectile to calculate the function between velocity and angle by replacing the two variables by the coordinates of points of the basket. However, Duan’s research only focuses on the free throw line and his method is limited only for swish. How we are going to address them is to study the situation of bank shot on different positions on the court.