Science Explains Steph Curry’s Picture-Perfect Form

STEPHEN Curry’s jump shot is the perfect example of “textbook form”—you can literally write a book about the physics involved in that deadly stroke of his. Here’s a quick look at how science proves that his jumper is the most effective weapon in all of basketball:

Lined up

Curry’s right shoulder, elbow, and hip are perfectly aligned when he’s taking a shot, and this is important for two reasons. First, it helps keep his shot as straight as possible and, second, it maintains a direct flow of power from his legs to the ball, allowing him to maximize his range while minimizing the strain on his arms. This results in a shot that isn’t just perfectly aimed, but one that remains consistent throughout the course of a 48-minute game.

Turned feet

Instead of squaring his feet directly to the basket, Curry keeps his toes pointed around 10-15 degrees to the left as he gathers his shot. This improves his balance when shooting, which in turn minimizes any fluctuations in the shot’s alignment. As he takes off, he slightly turns his lower body to maintain that all-important balance—especially when he takes a shot off the dribble.

Start low

Curry always starts his shooting motion with the ball at hip-level. This allows him to propel the ball with additional force, as it starts its movement closer to the energy source: his legs. Because the ball is released with extra force, it’s more likely to maintain its trajectory as it’ll take more energy to counteract inertia.

Perfect angle

The angle at which you release the ball affects its arc, which can have a dramatic effect on your shot percentage. When Curry releases the ball, he does so at a 50- to 55-degree angle, which at his height creates an arc that enters the hoop in a much larger area than it would have at a greater angle. Basically, it makes his target bigger, improving his shot accuracy by more than 10 percent.

Quick release

Curry’s release has been measured at around 0.4 seconds, which is 0.14 seconds faster than the league average. That tenth of a second is precisely what makes his shot so difficult to guard. Players just aren’t used to guarding releases that quick; by the time they reach him, the ball’s already 12 feet up in the air.

At the end of the day, Curry’s shot is also the result of hard work. Practice made him the gunner he is today—but the science helps, too. It’s a lot like his choice of deodorant: Rexona Ice Cool with Motionsense. It’s been scientifically engineered to work harder the more you sweat, keeping you as fresh and cool as the ice water in Curry’s veins.

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