*2.8.1 ShotTracker*

ShotTracker is a shooting tracking system that registers missed and made shot attempts. For it to work, the user has to have a wrist sensor that captures shot

*Application of Basketball Game Models through Sports Technology DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88432*

attempts and a net sensor that registers whether or not the ball went in. Since there is no need for basketball sensors or smart balls, the player can choose his/her basketball of preference, which is an advantage as smart basketballs have been criticized for having different grips and not always having the touch of a regular ball. However, the fact that the net sensor has to be attached to the net which typically is 10 ft. above the ground may become a major inconvenience, especially in public places, since a ladder would be needed to reach the net and attach the sensor. Furthermore, if there are multiple players shooting at the hoop with the net sensor, all the shots will be taken into account, and this presents a problem for measuring individual performance [29].

Nevertheless, ShotTracker remains user friendly in other ways, coming with a wrist band, a sleeve and even a shirt giving the user different options to correctly wear the sensor. In addition, both sensors can be charged at the same time and are weather proof. With this equipment, the user is able to track his/her field goal percentage and shooting location (**Figure 19**) [29].

In addition, the app enables the user to look at his/her results in real time and assess progress over time by checking personal daily, weekly and monthly stats. Another great advantage of the app is that coaches can monitor the players' results and, based on the feedback from the drills, identify areas of weakness and customize workouts to the needs of each player [35].

#### *2.8.2 Hoop tracker*

with the increment of the smart net, this function has now been made possible. Furthermore, unlike the previous basketballs, this one can be charged wirelessly and has approximately 8 hours of battery life with continuous use. Following performance analysis of some of the best basketball shooters, the developers concluded the optimal range for shot arc to be between 42 and 48 degrees, ideal backspin between 130 and 150 rotations per minute and best release speed under 0.7 seconds, and they calibrated the ball accordingly. When shot, the ball provides instant feedback regarding what is being measured. Thus, if it is arc, there will be positive feedback if the player's shot arc falls within the optimal range, and an alert message if not. In addition, the app offers a wide variety of drills designed to improve performance in specific categories, such as dribbling and shooting. In the latter category, on which this report focuses, there are various drills available with different levels of difficulty - from playground all the way to professional, and there can be combinations of shot accuracy with shot arc, release speed or shot rotation.

*Sports Science and Human Health - Different Approaches*

However, there are limitations to what the ball can measure at any given moment. For instance, the ball can only measure and display one indicator at a time and is not equipped with certain useful tools such as GPS for determining shooting location. Hence, before performing a shooting drill, the player needs to select what indicator to measure, identify his/her shooting location and whether it is a free throw or not (e.g. jump shot). Nonetheless, overall the range of workouts offered by the app does facilitate skill improvement and player engagement (**Figure 18**) [32, 33].

In studies that were carried out to assess the reliability of the 94fifty, it was concluded that it is not only possible to use it for practical purposes but also for scientific reasons given the accuracy of the obtained results. It was also considered an important instrument for the overall improvement of the basketball training process since this device allows the user to receive valuable feedback [34].

ShotTracker is a shooting tracking system that registers missed and made shot attempts. For it to work, the user has to have a wrist sensor that captures shot

*94fifty gear. Web source: https://test-94fifty.myshopify.com/products/two-ball-pack.*

*2.8.1 ShotTracker*

**Figure 18.**

**110**

The Hoop Tracker is a basketball shot tracking smartwatch which provides real time feedback on the player's shot attempts. It detects shooting location at all times and whether the shot was made or missed (**Figure 20**).

In order to do this, only two pieces of equipment are required: a wireless shot detector and a smartwatch. The shot detector is held in place by a powerful magnet designed to not impact the outcome of the shot which is a key feature. It also comes with a mounting pole which enables the user to place it on the rim safely from the ground, giving it an advantage over the Shot Tracker. The wristwatch, although lightweight and intended to be worn on the non-shooting hand to minimize the chance of damage and obstruction to the shot, is still an accessory that is not used in a game situation and, therefore, not ideal from this perspective. However, it can be

**Figure 19.** *ShotTracker gear. Web source: https://shottracker.com/.*

exact location, whether indoors or outdoors, without needing satellite reception tools like GPS which may be unreliable inside some modern sports facilities. It uses triangulation between anchors that can be set up relatively quickly throughout an arena or stadium to continually ping the devices for real time location information. A recent study confirmed that its calculation of position, distance and average speed from the local positioning system shows a low level of error, with an average difference in distance lower than 2%, which validates the use of this technology for indoor analysis of team sports. Nonetheless, it was concluded that the placement of anchor nodes and field of play in relation to the walls of the building has great influence on the location positioning system output [38]. Catapult technology does not only capture the location, but it also measures PlayerLoad—a one number validated metric that shows work rate, and even health indicators like heart rate. Developed with the Australian Institute of Sport, PlayerLoad summarizes all the data points provided by micro movements into one understandable number and is measured instantaneously approximately 100 times per second. This metric takes into account the acceleration made in all possible directions, front, sideways and upwards. Distance-based measures can lead to errors of judgment, for instance, in basketball all players attack and defend so while the distance covered may be the

*Application of Basketball Game Models through Sports Technology*

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88432*

same, the number of jumps, rotations and contacts is misrepresented. An acceleration-based metric, such as PlayerLoad, indicates the mechanical load on

will perform best. In summary, catapult provides new data which can be

consequently generate knowledge from the findings (**Figure 22**) [39].

*Catapult's ClearSky T6. Web source: https://www.catapultsports.com/products/clearsky-t6.*

transformed into information if adjusted data mining techniques are applied, and

Noahlytics is a shooting tracking system that tracks players'shots from anywhere in a basketball court. It measures the location from where the shot was taken whether the shot was made or missed, entry angle, depth and left-right position of the ball when reaching the hoop and provides real time feedback. It has the ability

In the 2014–2015 season, the Golden State Warriors used catapult technology during practice (NBA has not allowed the use of inertial sensors in the actual game) to help monitor the players' work load and optimize its management. The outcome speaks for itself as the Warriors finished regular season with the least amount of time lost to injury in the league. The challenge going forward relies on 32 understanding the correlation between workload and injury patterns. By identifying the thresholds, greater knowledge is achieved regarding the players' tolerance level, and coaching staff may prevent players from leaving their optimal loading zone. The same can be applied to performance; patterns may be identified regarding workload and performance, enabling staff to know at what load levels the athlete

muscles and joints.

*2.8.4 Noahlytics*

**Figure 22.**

**113**

**Figure 20.** *Hoop tracker gear. Web source: https://shottracker.com/.*

quite useful as real time results are only a quick glance away during workout. When the ball goes through the hoop, it activates the sensor, which subsequently sends a signal to the watch that the shot was made. When a shot is missed, the vibration created by hitting the backboard or the rim is detected by the accelerometer sensors which send a signal to the watch that the shot was missed. Moreover, the developers incorporated a delay in the signal to account for the shots that bounce around the rim before going in. The only shot it cannot automatically detect is the air ball, for which there is a button on the watch that can be pressed to record it as a miss. With access to shooting percentages from different locations, players can evaluate their success rate from different positions on the court e.g. free throws, three-pointers, etc. and take advantage of the training modes available for those positions. Once their data is uploaded, they can access the Hoop Tracker dashboard on their own computer and analyze their stats, track their long-term progress and identify their strengths and areas for improvement. There is also a coach mode which allows coaches to monitor their players' progress and customize training accordingly (**Figure 21**) [36].

The software also comes with some fun games that will keep the player engaged while improving his/her skills, such as the 3 pt. challenge, the all FG mode or the 100 pt. challenge [37]. All in all, they have tried to appeal to both professional players and coaches with regard to training modes and stats, and to amateur lovers of the game by offering fun games and even a calorie counter.
