I remember the first time I realized basketball wasn't just about talent or practice—it was about physics. I was watching Steph Curry warm up before a game, and something clicked. The arc of his shot, the spin of the ball, the way it seemed to float through the air before swishing through the net—it all looked effortless. But behind that effortless motion was a complex interplay of forces that most players never think about. And here's the thing: I didn't learn this from coaches or formal training. In fact, much like the quote from our knowledge base—"I did not even talk to any one of my coaches. We have not talked about anything yet"—I discovered these principles through my own curiosity and experimentation. That's the beauty of understanding the physics of basketball: you don't need a coach to explain it to you. You just need to pay attention to the science.
Let's start with the most obvious element: trajectory. When you shoot a basketball, you're essentially launching a projectile toward a target. The ideal angle for maximum accuracy isn't what most people assume. Research—and my own testing—shows that a launch angle between 45 and 55 degrees gives you the best chance of the ball going in. Why? Because at these angles, the ball has a larger margin for error. If you shoot too flat, say at 30 degrees, the ball has to be perfectly aimed to avoid hitting the front or back of the rim. But with a higher arc, even if your aim is slightly off, the ball has a better chance of bouncing in. I've spent hours in the gym adjusting my release point, and I can tell you that increasing my shot arc from around 40 degrees to 48 degrees improved my shooting percentage by roughly 12% over six months. It's not just a theory; it works.
Then there's the backspin. Ever notice how professional players' shots seem to "softly" kiss the rim or backboard? That's backspin in action. When you apply spin to the ball—typically around three revolutions per second for optimal control—you're using the Magnus effect to your advantage. This phenomenon, where a spinning object experiences a force perpendicular to its motion, helps stabilize the ball in flight. In practical terms, backspin reduces the ball's horizontal velocity upon impact with the rim, making it more likely to drop in rather than bounce out. I remember tweaking my follow-through to emphasize fingertip control, and the difference was immediate. Shots that would have clanged off the rim started dropping because the spin was giving me that extra forgiveness. It's one of those small adjustments that doesn't require superhuman strength or agility—just an understanding of how physics works.
But it's not just about the ball's flight; it's about your body, too. Biomechanics play a huge role in shooting accuracy. For instance, the force you generate doesn't just come from your arms—it starts from your legs and flows through your core. When you jump, you're converting potential energy into kinetic energy, and that energy transfer needs to be smooth. If there's a disconnect, say your upper body is out of sync with your lower body, your shot will be inconsistent. I've found that focusing on a "soft" knee bend of about 120 degrees and a quick, explosive extension adds roughly 15-20% more power to my shot without sacrificing control. And let's talk about release speed. The average NBA player releases the ball in about 0.3 seconds, but for amateurs, it's often slower. By reducing my release time to around 0.4 seconds through drills, I noticed a significant drop in defenders blocking my shots. It's all about efficiency, not brute force.
Now, here's where personal preference comes in. I'm a big believer in using the backboard for certain shots, especially from the sides. The angles might seem intimidating, but once you understand the physics, it becomes almost mathematical. For a bank shot from a 45-degree angle, aiming for a spot on the backboard that's about 1.5 feet above the rim and using moderate backspin increases your chances of success dramatically. I've tracked my makes and misses, and my bank shot accuracy improved from 38% to 52% after applying these principles. Some players avoid the backboard because they think it's old-school, but honestly, it's a scientific cheat code. And don't even get me started on free throws—the one area where physics can make or break your consistency. Studies suggest that players who maintain a consistent release height (around 7.2 feet for someone my height) and follow through with their wrist snapped downward at a 60-degree angle see a 10-15% improvement in free throw percentage. I've incorporated this into my routine, and it's paid off in clutch moments.
Of course, equipment matters too. The weight and size of the ball—approximately 22 ounces for a men's basketball—affect how much force you need to apply. A slightly deflated ball might feel easier to grip, but it can alter your shooting mechanics because it requires more force to achieve the same trajectory. I once played with a ball that was under-inflated by just 2 PSI, and my shooting percentage dropped by 8% that game. It's a reminder that small variables can have outsized effects. Similarly, the rim itself has a diameter of 18 inches, while the ball is about 9.5 inches in diameter. That leaves a margin of error of just 4.25 inches on each side—not much room for mistake. But by leveraging physics, you can expand that margin mentally. Visualizing the ball's path as a parabola rather than a straight line helps me adjust mid-shot, almost like my brain is doing real-time calculations.
In the end, blending science with practice has transformed my game. I'm not saying you should ignore coaching entirely—there's value in expert guidance—but sometimes the best insights come from self-discovery. That quote about not talking to coaches resonates with me because it highlights how much we can learn on our own. By understanding the physics behind shooting, you're not just following rules; you're internalizing principles that make you a smarter player. So next time you're on the court, think about the angles, the spin, the energy transfer. It might feel like a lot at first, but soon it becomes second nature. And who knows? You might just find that your shooting accuracy improves in ways you never expected, all because you paid attention to the science behind the sport.
People in Motion (PiM) is our employee advocacy and improvement program. These cross-functional groups are comprised of employees, with an executive sponsor, who contribute ideas and drive action towards focused areas of improvement across the employee experience. The groups include: Kyruus Kontext & Business Readiness; Community, Connectivity, & Engagement; System, Tools, & Productivity; IDEA [Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility].
As a remote-first company, we are invested in employees creating a work setup that allows them to do their best work. In addition to a laptop, we also provide you with $750 to get the additional equipment you need and add an ongoing amount of $1,200 to your salary to cover remote work costs.
We value ownership at Kyruus Health, not only in the work you do but in the shared financial success from our growth. Employees will have the opportunity to grow their equity ownership throughout their tenure.
We care about creating the time you need to bond for any team members at Kyruus Health growing their families. We offer 8 weeks of fully paid leave to all parents. Birthing parents are also eligible for additional time and coverage through our Short-Term Disability plan.
We encourage all employees to save for retirement through our 401(K) plan. Employees have the option to begin contributing to their accounts on their first day of employment and we offer an employer match of up to $1,500 per calendar year for all employees who enroll.
We offer employees a lifestyle stipend of $2,000 per year to help them be well. This is designed for Kyruus Health to offset the cost for items, experiences, or home expenses that enhance team members’ well-being
We want to provide employees and families with health insurance offerings to support them getting the care they need. Our health, dental, and vision plans are desiged to allow employees the opportunity to choose options that work best for themselves and their families.
We are committed to flexibility and empowering employees to do work that matters in a way that works for them. Our unlimited PTO policy is anchored on that flexibility – encouraging employees to take time off for what’s important to them, in addition to the many company holidays we celebrate. To highlight our commitment to a healthy work-life balance, we provide a specific stipend each quarter for employees to use on a recharge day.
