Analysis of the Trajectory of Free-throws

Abstract

This research paper delves into the intricate realm of free-throw shooting in basketball, combining advanced data
analytics and artificial intelligence to dissect the trajectory of human-generated free-throws and induce the theoretically
“perfect shot” by AI. This study aims to introduce the sport of basketball, provide valuable insights into the science of
basketball shooting, and ultimately contribute to developing the skill of free-throw shooting. I used a real-life example
of a free-throw shot to achieve this goal. Using the model, I molded a horizontal and vertical distance-time graph on
the coordinate plane to estimate the velocity at each second. By utilizing some physics kinematics, I was able to draw
a free-body diagram of the basketball in motion and analyze the possible factors affecting its trajectory. Finally, as all
my research points toward the same goal, I hope to mathematically optimize the perfect trajectory to maximize the
likelihood of a perfect shot by an AI.