The key to Steph Curry's unprecedented range: Detailed biomechanics & sports science breakdown

Dr. Rajpal Brar, DPT, biomechanics expert and former youth basketball coach, breaks down Golden State Warriors’ superstar Stephen Curry’s unprecedented deep shooting ability and the key technique underlying it.
Here’s a table of contents, header (sub-headings):
- 0:00 Intro
- 0:23 Deep shooting form
- 1:13 Jumper rhythm and timing (a “noisy’ variable, internal interference)
- 4:11 The upshot
For those at work or the hard of hearing, I've transcribed subtitles on KZbin so sound isn't required.
For reference, I’m a DPT and former youth basketball coach well-versed in biomechanics, with sports rehab & performance clinics in West LA and Valencia, CA. Feel free to hit me with questions and/or you can always find me on IG and twitter @ 3cbperformance.

[@AmitDebnath09]

I would also add his "ball path" as a reason for his power and accuracy: much like an olympic lifter's bar path in any given movement is consistently vertical and super close to the body, so his Curry's "ball path" from his hip pocket to the release point, making his shots quicker, powerful, and accurate.

[@3cbperformance]

Amit Debnath that’s a great way to put it. That’s what I was getting at with the consistency of mechanics but that’s an excellent parallel

[@tercial]

Ahh so he keeps the ball close to his body in one motion

[@Ricky-pr5wj]

Why doesn’t this have more views?! Great breakdown and love the evidence-based data that goes with it. Keep it up!

[@3cbperformance]

I don't worry about views (just on quality) but I appreciate the sentiment. Thanks mate, I will

[@gobfg7277]

You should add the fact that Steph uses the centerline method; not many people even know or even heard of the method, but the physics-based method that only few professional athletes like Steph uses is what maintains his steady and straightforward shot

[@3cbperformance]

Explain the physics behind it

[@gobfg7277]

@@3cbperformance so the centerline method is actually a person’s natural mechanical form when shooting the ball, believe it or not. Most or almost all the people that play basketball implement the straight thrust method, which is having your shot and fingers look straight at the basket with the index finger leaving the ball last. Studies shown and proven by World Guinness Record Holders Bob J. Fisher, Ted St. Martin, and John Fonatella showed that shooting with the straight thrust method while leaving the index finger to release the ball last is a learned, not natural movement, and therefore not biomechanically friendly. Stephen curry has such a good feel for the ball that he knows when to release the ball at the last moment when it comes up to his fingertips, which is why he’s consistently hitting unimaginable shots. If you’re asking where’s the centerline, good question. The ball is a sphere, so the centerline would be the highest point in the ball. Therefore, the ball can be measured by circumference. Developing touch and curvature for the ball is key to making shots. The great thing about this method is that it isn’t proven by personal opinion or observation. It is pure physics. Once you master this method, you’re gonna be a walking ATM. I advise you to watch Frank Mason III. He has beautiful form of the centerline method for a college ball player.

[@joseangelopanganiban4044]

Explain pls

[@maegodragon]

Thank You! Clear Scientific Explanation - it’s the Wrist Snap. Also, love your film editing side by side comparisons 🤓

[@kNeeko]

BEST EXPLANATION YET!!!

[@3cbperformance]

Thanks mate

[@luisinigo6047]

such a great video

[@3cbperformance]

thanks mate

[@kevinhall-realtorkellerwil7268]

Excellent! Indeed his wrist velocity is key to his jump shot range. I have also been studying his elbow degree and the compactness of it to his body. Everything appears right but it doesn’t impact his timing and rhythm

[@3cbperformance]

It’s pretty incredible

[@yung___lx]

sick really interesting°! nice one

[@3cbperformance]

appreciate your time

[@yung___lx]

@@3cbperformance appreciate ur work man! i learn new things every time and cant really thank you enough for that. excellent stuff man ur channel should get way more appreciation

[@yung___lx]

truly a gem.

[@3cbperformance]

Alex E. Schmidt thanks man. Just trying my best to translate some of the sports science over. I’m not too congested about getting appreciation or not with the channel, I’ll keep putting in the work and I’m sure that will come

[@yung___lx]

@@3cbperformance legend!!

[@edclee1997]

I'm no scientist, but it seems to me that Steph uses his legs more than other shooters. He shoots it on the way up and uses his legs to propel the ball up and forward, so he generates more velocity and gets it off quicker to avoid blocks. The fact that Steph is relatively short to other basketball players probably helped/forced him to adopt these techniques, and some historic day in the past, he suddenly realized he didn't have to change much mechanics to shoot accurately from longer distances. Voila, a new era had just begun.

[@3cbperformance]

Very interesting theory

[@edclee1997]

@@3cbperformance Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant were deadly mid-range shooters because they jumped high and then concentrate at their apex to shoot the ball, one to improve accuracy with optimum mechanics and clear vision, and two to avoid their shots blocked. Similarly Kahwi Leonard fades back for same reasons and is probably the best mid-range shooter since Kobe. On the other hand they were/are not great long distance shooters, or at least not nearly the volume Steph does, because of that. It's hard to generate enough force to propel the ball through 29 ft without using legs. That's my theory and I'm very interested in hearing your opinion.

[@3cbperformance]

@@edclee1997 Your points make sense but not so sure for MJ becuase his normal shot was extremely flat prior to him fading away. The fade actually forced him to put more arch on it which helped immensely

[@edclee1997]

@@3cbperformance I wish your video and the information it conveys were more prevalent and shown to coaches around the world, where they can teach the kids to properly train with the proper mechanics and techniques. Kids are going to imitate success and they need to learn the right ways. My guess is coaches who even are aware of the points you make are far and few between.

[@3cbperformance]

@@edclee1997 Thanks mate, I appreciate that. The goal is one day to have coaches who do follow these principles

[@daman_r]

Awesome

[@3cbperformance]

Thanks, appreciate you watching

[@nyawho.]

Are you going to put out more of these with other deep range shooters?

[@3cbperformance]

Marvello Иyahu I will be

[@tonynganou3129]

This channel is an hidden gem

[@3cbperformance]

thanks mate

[@paulgeorge9228]

is there a way to train for faster hand speed when training quick release? it seems like it comes a limit for how fast your hands can move in a shooting motion, but do u know how to overcome that limit?

[@dguemues]

could you perhaps elaborate on increasing wrist flexion velocity?

[@3cbperformance]

I start 1 foot next to the basket and progressively move farther away focusing on the wrist

[@dave1123]

Steph watching this: "Huh! So that's how I do it. I didn't know that before"

[@3cbperformance]

Maybe he did

[@mackbolan6263]

You didn't mention the angle/trajectory of the ball going in?

[@kimsamuel621]

How do I get my wrist to flick faster? Just get more stronger forearm?

[@3cbperformance]

Typically - it’s not about strength. It’s about movement control & working on a faster flick

[@kimsamuel621]

@@3cbperformance do u have any suggestion on drills or exercise to develop this type of quickness

[@3cbperformance]

@@kimsamuel621 Not in particular mate; What I do is simply start near the rim and work on the end part of the jumper by only manipulating wrist flick

[@threezysworld8089]

The reason the dip sucks is because it's more movement/moving parts being introduced. The more movement from you while shooting, the harder it is to make the shot. I shoot like Steph, simple because I don't know any other way. I'm not saying I have range like Steph though. I'm always amazed by how strong athletes are. Shooting from those distances you have to be really strong, and the length of his arms probably helps too (longer levers).

[@vineetno10]

How does this compare to other players like Trae Young and Damian Lillard who have quite a good range when it comes to their 3-point shot? Also, does his use of his wrists to extend the range cause injuries over the long term?

[@3cbperformance]

Vineet Adishankar I haven’t looked at them in detail enough to comment. As for the wrist and injuries question, I doubt it because it’s not putting that much more stress through the wrist

[@vineetno10]

@@3cbperformance Hey, if it's not too much to ask, could you do a video on Trae Young's shot? He's become a very consistent shooter from deep and scores regularly from the logo. Also, his shooting motion seems different from few other players who shoot the ball well. Thanks for all content you post on your channel. I'm finding this series on shot mechanics quite interesting and informative.

[@3cbperformance]

@@vineetno10 RN: I'm planning on doing one on Trae and Lillard. Also, Harden's ability to decelerate, Harden's step-back

[@andrewoliver9686]

At 2:28 ...Lonzo telling himself...." I will never play in New Orleans " lol 😆

[@3cbperformance]

LOL

[@JL85477]

So you are saying all I have to do to get logo range is flick faster while shooting on the way up? And what about this video of curry shooting with one hand from the injury does the fast flick of the wrist give him that much range with one arm? at 1:50 kzbin.info/www/bejne/m2jLaad5mKiBeLc

[@3cbperformance]

Jorge Cuello It also depends on how proficient your jumper is. Adding wrist flick velocity to a poor jumper won’t add to much. As for the video, the off-hand on the ball is just a guide hand so I’m assuming the mechanics are very similar

[@JL85477]

@@3cbperformance but he was shooting a set shot with the ball in a complete stop motion , so where does the power come from or is he just that strong ?

[@3cbperformance]

Jorge Cuello he’s extremely efficient with his 1-motion shot. Doesn’t leak any energy

[@club6525]

@@3cbperformance He exhibits a thumb flick. It’s basically an “Level 2” guide hand

[@3cbperformance]

@@club6525 What do you mean by "level 2". Haven't heard that terminology before

[@yiwei-cheng]

But I notice that when Curry shoot a long range shot, he jumps higher, doesn't it means that he change the mechanics of the lower body?

[@3cbperformance]

Based on what is he jumping higher? When SportsScience measured, there was no difference on his jump height

[@devn266]

no because stephs shot is 1 motion you notice he barely jumps because he barely uses the muscles in the shot because he is maximizing his power because the 1 motion shot is more biomechanically efficient. So the only adjustment you need to make is actually how much you use the muscles in your jumper. No dips or anything. Its just more muscular involvment the further you move. You can test this by doing foul shots w/out jumping, then stepping back to the 3 pt. line and then jumping. The only difference should be how much you use your muscles. Everything else is the same. That is why his "dip" is the same. Yes, the wrist is a piece of the evidence but it is only a very small portion of it.

[@yiwei-cheng]

@@devn266 but more you increase the power of the legs, higher you will jump

[@devn266]

@@yiwei-cheng yeah.. that’s what I & you said but you said there would be mechanical changes but there isn’t

[@viclavar9298]

His short time off of the ground on his jumpers benefits his mechanics when he's fatigued at the end of the game as well. As a result his form doesn't break down. I also wonder how much his rotation of his hip helps with his range. In many sports power is generated from the hip. Baseball, golf, boxing, MMA, etc.

[@Vidverse805]

Thx now i am in the nba

[@3cbperformance]

glad to hear it

[@lul9410]

Does Curry put his shooting hand on the side of the ball

[@3cbperformance]

Not sure mate. Haven’t looked into it

[@lul9410]

@@3cbperformance hmmm it’s fine if u can if u wouldn’t mind could u possibly tell me if he is because I’m not sure either lol I also wanna shoot like him

[@vdofjhfjfh7630]

@@lul9410 lmao everyone does but I suggest you find your own jupmpshit

[@callmegeo3319]

Big fan now you need more subs smh

[@3cbperformance]

callMe geo slowly but surely

[@CORDELL91]

This man probably know all the tricks and secrets to the next 2k game

[@3cbperformance]

🤫

[@lebarbosa9778]

A masterclass on how to get tendinitis

[@wave1050]

@3cbperformance you still alive I had a question

[@3cbperformance]

No I’m not. It’s my ghost still putting out videos

[@wave1050]

Lol I’m sorry for bothering yo I know this is old video but I did research on this before how all his power comes from his whole arm to his wrist I think seen you say something about you practice close to the hoop and get a powerful but control snap I just kinda wanted to pick your brain in more detail what you do

[@richardj6593]

Only problem is.. muscles don't have memory. Neural pathways leading from brain to musle do, however, strengthen.

[@3cbperformance]

So what’s the problem? Neuromuscular training is a key component of movement training

[@larsjuhan3]

my friend mario said this video is fake news. THIS DOESNT WORK

[@3cbperformance]

Tell that to the objective data it’s based on