Goaltend??

[M&M Guy]

Originally Posted by Jimgolf

Physics. If it's more than half way to the basket, it's probably on the way down.

Actually, that's not really true. It would make sense logically, but in reality the physics are slightly different. There are many shots where after the shot is released, the speed of the ball slows down through the air, so that by the time it is at the apex and gravity takes over, it's moving slower than when it left the hand. This means the angle of the ball flight coming down is steeper than going up, which means the ball hits the apex somewhere around 2/3 of the way to the end, not just 1/2 way. This is espcially true on longer shots, maybe not as much on shorter shots. Think of the fly ball in baseball - if you watch the flight of the ball you'll see it at it's highest point much closer to the outfielder than just the halfway point.

I guess the point of my ramblings is don't rely on looking for the halfway point to determine goaltending. You still need to watch the ball flight to see if it's on the way down.

[rainmaker]

Originally Posted by M&M Guy

Actually, that's not really true. It would make sense logically, but in reality the physics are slightly different. There are many shots where after the shot is released, the speed of the ball slows down through the air, ....

Many shots? How about all shots? When is the ball NOT slowing down as it moves "through the air?" I'm assuming your talking about the horizontal vector.

[M&M Guy]

Originally Posted by rainmaker

Many shots? How about all shots? When is the ball NOT slowing down as it moves "through the air?" I'm assuming your talking about the horizontal vector.

Ok, in the very strictest sense, all shots slow down as they move through the air. But I was thinking in the case of a ball traveling a shorter distance, but at a similar rate of speed, the difference in speed is not as noticable, so perhaps the trajectory looks fairly even. Think of the hard-hit line drive in baseball, for example. Or a shot that has a high arc (a player close to the basket trying to get it over a taller defender) might have an even-looking arc.

My point was to not assume all shots are at on their way down at the halfway point, so we still need to actually watch the ball.

[rainmaker]

Originally Posted by M&M Guy

Ok, in the very strictest sense, all shots slow down as they move through the air. But I was thinking in the case of a ball traveling a shorter distance, but at a similar rate of speed, the difference in speed is not as noticable, so perhaps the trajectory looks fairly even. Think of the hard-hit line drive in baseball, for example. Or a shot that has a high arc (a player close to the basket trying to get it over a taller defender) might have an even-looking arc.

My point was to not assume all shots are at on their way down at the halfway point, so we still need to actually watch the ball.

I know. I was just being sassy. Perky. Feeling a little frisky since having a nice weekend. Actually have a little sense of humor. Don't burst my bubble. Jack...

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by rainmaker

I was just being sassy. Perky. Feeling a little frisky since having a nice weekend.

Retreats make you sassy, perky and frisky?

Can I go to the next one? I haven't felt sassy, perky and frisky for the longest time.

Jim, however, is the very epi-tome of sassy, frisky and perky.

[rainmaker]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

Retreats make you sassy, perky and frisky?

Can I go to the next one? I haven't felt sassy, perky and frisky for the longest time.

Jim, however, is the very epi-tome of sassy, frisky and perky.

Woddy, no one wants you to be sassy, perky or frisky. The crotchety, curmudgeonly and growl-ly is bad enough. I hope everyone will conspire to keep all "retreat" information away from you!

[Jimgolf]

Let's examine the various shot trajectories. Bank shots aside, can we agree that if a shot is blocked before it has reached the halfway point, it is not goaltending?

Can we also assume that long shots, with their flattened trajectories, do not usually get blocked on the way down.

That would leave close-in shots, where the majority of flight paths are a simple parabolic arch. These are the shots that are typically goal-tended and I would suggest that they are on the way down (or off target) when they are blocked.

Bank shots (especially line drives) can be different, and this principle will not help.

I would still suggest that this rule of thumb is accurate for the majority of shots where goaltending might be called.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by M&M Guy

Actually, that's not really true. It would make sense logically, but in reality the physics are slightly different. There are many shots where after the shot is released, the speed of the ball slows down through the air, so that by the time it is at the apex and gravity takes over, it's moving slower than when it left the hand. This means the angle of the ball flight coming down is steeper than going up, which means the ball hits the apex somewhere around 2/3 of the way to the end, not just 1/2 way. This is espcially true on longer shots, maybe not as much on shorter shots. Think of the fly ball in baseball - if you watch the flight of the ball you'll see it at it's highest point much closer to the outfielder than just the halfway point.

And the weight of the ball can vary from 20 to 22 ounces too. Does that mean that the heavier ball will slow down quicker and the angle of the ball flight will be more too, Mr. Science?

[M&M Guy]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

And the weight of the ball can vary from 20 to 22 ounces too. Does that mean that the heavier ball will slow down quicker and the angle of the ball flight will be more too, Mr. Science?

Yep. You can move to the head of the class, Mr. Smartazz.

Btw, here's my picture:

Pretty frisky and perky-looking, wouldn't you say?