How to Film It
- Set your camera to 1080p at 60fps before you film (iPhone: Settings → Camera → Record Video → 1080p HD at 60 fps; Android: the 60 option in your camera app's video settings). 120fps is even better if your phone offers it. At 60 the ball moves half as far between frames, so we can actually see whether it went in.
- Tripod, landscape. Camera at chest height or higher.
- Set the tripod at half court, facing the basket, with the basket in the center of the screen. Then zoom until the entire three-point line fits across the screen, with about 4 feet to spare behind it — players often shoot a step or two behind the line.
- Check the rim before you hit record: make sure the rim is at least about as wide as your fingertip on the screen. If it looks smaller, zoom in while keeping the entire three-point line visible.
- Frame it: the whole rim and the full shot arc must be visible. The rim can never be blocked by the shooter.
- One shooter per clip, and one ball. If a second ball is in play we can lose track of which one is the shot.
- Take 2–3 seconds between reps. A short reset — catch, step back, settle — is what lets us tell one attempt from the next. Shots fired back-to-back with no pause can get counted as one. It is a good rhythm for the shooter anyway.
- Lighting: decent gym light. Don't shoot into windows.