Entrepreneurship Post

My idea is for a machine that teaches someone how to properly shoot a basketball free throw. This comes from myself being a person and basketball fan that cannot stand to see someone who is a professional or collegiate basketball player miss a free throw. If someone plays at such a high level, they should be able to hit a wide open shot that they have all the time in the world to prepare to take. My goal of the machine is to make even the worst free throw shooters better by teaching them step-by-step how to properly take them. It will demonstrate to them the fundamentals of how take them and perhaps, help players with other shots as well.

The machine will function rather simply. Designed as a robot with a human-like appearance, complete with arms, hands, fingers, etc. the machine will be able to change height, depending on the height of whoever the user is. The machine will be able to go as fast or slow as the user desires. It will be programmed to complete a perfect free throw every single time it shoots a basketball as long as it is the correct distance away from the basket and pointed at the basket. That distance is 15 feet from the basket. Each time, the free throw will be perfect and not be able to miss. This robot will also be able to go through a certain movement if the user programs it to. This is for when the user is missing one specific part of the free throw movement. While there is no one designated way to shoot free throws, this machine will demonstrate one that many consider “proper”: one hand on the ball with the other hand as a guide and the knees bent initially, all complete with a follow through.

The machine will be able to complete these actions with the use of respective programming options. First, a simple lever will be able to increase or decrease the height of the robot. Second, a couple of knobs will set the speed of the motion and another if a certain part of the motion needs to be emphasized. This will give the user maximum control over the device and allow the user to learn the art of shooting a free throw quickly and efficiently. While it is not believed that the user will never miss a free throw after using this robotic teacher, it can certainly be assumed that the teacher will increase the user’s free throw percentage.