The Denver Post - Preps to NBA, They Shoot for Noah's Arc

By Patrick Saunders - The Denver Post

At first glance it doesn't look like a basketball coach's dream machine. In fact, it looks more like an arena-rock concert speaker.

But this $5,600 "shot analyzer," with its cameras, built-in computer and instant feedback, is about as high-tech as basketball gets, and it's being utilized in basketball arenas throughout the country, including the Pepsi Center.

The contraption's name is Noah Select. It's apt catchphrase: "Building the perfect arc."

First developed in 1993, it is now used by NBA teams such as the Nuggets and Dallas Mavericks, by dozens of college programs and by hundreds of high school coaches across the country, including Pomona High School's Brian Zehnder.

"The biggest thing is that it makes players aware of the arc they are shooting with, and shows them if their shot is consistent," said John Welch, an assistant coach for the Nuggets who introduced Noah to the team about 18 months ago. "We are constantly telling players to 'Shoot it up, get more arc,' but they don't always hear that. But with this, they get immediate feedback. They can see it. They can work for consistency."

Noah's genesis came 15 years ago when a trio of friends in Silicon Valley combined a love of basketball with an expertise in science. One man, Alan Marty, was a physicist. A second man, Ridge McGhee, was an expert in the complex computer field called machine vision. A third man, Tom Edwards, was a division chief at NASA with degrees in aeronautics and astronautics. In other words, he was a rocket scientist.

Together, they built Noah, in part because they wanted to find a way for their daughters to become better shooters. What they came up with was a system that teaches basketball players to shoot better and instill muscle memory. A camera captures every shot, and the computer analyzes the arc of the ball as it travels from the player's hand to the hoop. It also shows where the ball lands on the rim.

"The important thing to remember is that a higher arc is absolutely not always better," said John Carter, CEO of Noah Basketball. "It all depends on the individual. As a general rule, (taller) players should be shooting a higher arc than shorter players. But if you've seen Shaq (Shaquille O'Neal) or Tim Duncan shoot free throws, you know they shoot a line drive, a flat shot. We try to help players find the right arc."

Experts say the optimal arc is between 42 and about 48 degrees. After each shot, Noah verbally spits out the angle of the arc: "45.8," "47.5." After players are done shooting, they can jog over to the machine, check their numbers and see an electronic chart of their session.

The Nuggets use the machine primarily during the preseason and offseason. Some are sold on Noah's arc, and some aren't.

"Chris Andersen really likes it; Nene didn't like it," Welch said. "But even Nene was shooting higher after using it."

NBA players, of course, are exceptional athletes who tend to judge their shooting by touch and feel. But for younger players trying to discover their shot and hone it, Noah has proved to be an effective tool.

For example, Northern State University coach Don Meyer, poised to pass Bobby Knight on the all-time NCAA coaching win list, uses Noah frequently. It has paid dividends for the Aberdeen, S.D., team. The Wolves finished the 2007-08 season as the best 3-point shooting team in the nation at 45 percent. Six players shot better than 80 percent from the free-throw line.

"We use Noah because it works," Meyer said. "Us old-school guys don't just use something to use it, we use it because it works. We're not going to waste our time."

Pomona's Zehnder attended Meyer's summer coaching clinic and saw Noah in action.

"Don Meyer sold me on it," Zehnder said. "I think it really helps kids work on the consistency of their shots. They can see not just the arc of the ball, but video also breaks down their motion."

Zehnder purchased Noah himself and set it up in a gym in his northwest Arvada barn. During summer, especially, area kids show up at his gym and plug into Noah.

Patrick Saunders: 303-954-1428 or psaunders@denverpost.com

The perfect arc

The main objective of the Noah Select is to improve shooting skills. The system has a shooting skill-level chart designed to measure arc consistency on free throws:

Master IV: Player shoots 25 shots in a row with exactly the same arc and distance. This perfect shooting skill level has never been achieved.

Master II: Player hits the same arc and distance 90 percent of the time. Only a few NBA and college players have achieved this.

Expert III: Player hits the same arc and distance 75 percent of the time. Average for NBA players.

Expert II: Player hits the same arc and distance 70 percent of the time. Average for good Division I college shooters.

Maker III: Player hits the same arc and distance 55 percent of the time, average for high school players.

Shooter III: Player hits the same arc and distance 40 percent of the time, average for middle school players.

Builder I-IV: For beginning players who are discovering how to shoot.