A kinematic model is used to analyze basketball shooting arm motions in the vertical plane that produce desired ball release speed, angle and backspin. The release conditions are related to arm motions using general kinematic equations. The paper compares three types of shooting arm motions: pure hand shots, hand-forearm shots, and general shots controlled by hand, forearm and upper arm motions. In pure hand shots, release speed, angle and backspin are severely limited. All hand-forearm shot configurations are able to produce desired release speed, angle and backspin. General shots redundantly provide shooters with any desired ball release speed, angle and backspin, and they are required to suitably control each joint angular velocity and acceleration.
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