How the Physics of Basketball Can Improve Your Shooting and Ball Handling Skills
I’ve always believed that basketball isn’t just a game of raw talent—it’s a game deeply rooted in physics. As someone who’s spent years both playing and analyzing the sport, I’ve seen firsthand how understanding concepts like trajectory, force, and momentum can transform a player’s performance. Take shooting, for example. The arc of the ball, the backspin, the release point—they all follow physical laws that, when mastered, can turn a decent shooter into a lethal one. And it’s not just about scoring; ball handling relies on friction, grip, and angular momentum to keep control under pressure. I remember watching Game 4 of the recent PBA finals between San Miguel and TNT, and it struck me how beautifully the Beermen demonstrated these principles in action. Their performance wasn’t just skillful—it was almost scientific.
That game was a masterclass in applying physics to real-game scenarios. San Miguel was impeccable from all angles, dominating the paint with 42 points compared to TNT’s 30, while also sinking an impressive 13 three-pointers—their best output from beyond the arc in the entire finals. What stood out to me, though, was how they leveraged momentum and spacing. When you break it down, those 13 threes weren’t just lucky shots; each one followed a high-arcing trajectory that maximized the chance of the ball dropping cleanly through the net. Even more fascinating was how they executed two four-point plays, a rarity that highlights both precision under pressure and an understanding of force distribution. As I watched, I couldn’t help but think about the hours of practice that must have gone into refining those movements—the subtle adjustments in wrist flick and follow-through that make all the difference.
But let’s dig into the problem many players face: inconsistency. I’ve coached kids who can nail shots in practice but crumble in games, and it often boils down to neglecting the physics of their movements. For instance, a flat shot with low arc has a smaller margin for error—it’s basic geometry. If you’re releasing the ball without enough backspin, you’re relying on luck rather than controlled rotation to guide the ball. And ball handling? Too many players focus solely on flashy crossovers without considering how friction between the hand and ball affects control. In Game 4, San Miguel’s players avoided these pitfalls by maintaining consistent form even when fatigued. Their ball movement wasn’t just fast; it was efficient, using passes that minimized air resistance and maximized speed. TNT, on the other hand, seemed to struggle with rushed shots and erratic handles—a clear sign that physics wasn’t on their side.
So, how can you apply these lessons? Start by breaking down your shot using physics. Aim for a 45-degree release angle—it’s the sweet spot for maximizing entry probability. I always tell players to practice with a focus on backspin; try shooting drills where you count rotations mid-air. For ball handling, work on drills that emphasize control over showmanship. Dribble with varying pressure to feel how friction changes, and practice crossovers at different speeds to understand angular momentum. In my own training, I’ve used slow-motion video to analyze my release point and adjust it millimeter by millimeter. It’s tedious, but it pays off. San Miguel’s 13 threes in Game 4 didn’t happen by chance—they happened because each player had internalized these adjustments. Even those two four-point plays involved perfect balance and force application, turning contested shots into opportunities.
What’s the takeaway here? Physics isn’t just for textbooks; it’s a practical tool that can elevate your game. Watching San Miguel’s flawless execution reminded me that the best players aren’t just athletes—they’re applied scientists in sneakers. By embracing concepts like projectile motion and rotational dynamics, you can build habits that hold up under pressure. Personally, I’ve seen my shooting percentage improve by nearly 15% since I started incorporating these ideas, and my handles have become more reliable in tight spaces. So next time you’re on the court, think beyond the drills. Pay attention to the why behind each movement, and you might just find yourself mirroring the precision of champions. After all, if physics can help a team drain 13 threes in a finals game, it can certainly help you hit that clutch shot when it matters most.
We are shifting fundamentally from historically being a take, make and dispose organisation to an avoid, reduce, reuse, and recycle organisation whilst regenerating to reduce our environmental impact. We see significant potential in this space for our operations and for our industry, not only to reduce waste and improve resource use efficiency, but to transform our view of the finite resources in our care.
Looking to the Future
By 2022, we will establish a pilot for circularity at our Goonoo feedlot that builds on our current initiatives in water, manure and local sourcing. We will extend these initiatives to reach our full circularity potential at Goonoo feedlot and then draw on this pilot to light a pathway to integrating circularity across our supply chain.
The quality of our product and ongoing health of our business is intrinsically linked to healthy and functioning ecosystems. We recognise our potential to play our part in reversing the decline in biodiversity, building soil health and protecting key ecosystems in our care. This theme extends on the core initiatives and practices already embedded in our business including our sustainable stocking strategy and our long-standing best practice Rangelands Management program, to a more a holistic approach to our landscape.
We are the custodians of a significant natural asset that extends across 6.4 million hectares in some of the most remote parts of Australia. Building a strong foundation of condition assessment will be fundamental to mapping out a successful pathway to improving the health of the landscape and to drive growth in the value of our Natural Capital.
Our Commitment
We will work with Accounting for Nature to develop a scientifically robust and certifiable framework to measure and report on the condition of natural capital, including biodiversity, across AACo’s assets by 2023. We will apply that framework to baseline priority assets by 2024.
Looking to the Future
By 2030 we will improve landscape and soil health by increasing the percentage of our estate achieving greater than 50% persistent groundcover with regional targets of:
– Savannah and Tropics – 90% of land achieving >50% cover
– Sub-tropics – 80% of land achieving >50% perennial cover
– Grasslands – 80% of land achieving >50% cover
– Desert country – 60% of land achieving >50% cover
