In this lesson, we will learn about the physics of basketball and about one of the greatest all-time shooters:
Steph Curry.
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
- Use key vocabulary
- Identify the main idea of a written passage
- Talk about the role of physics in playing basketball
Be sure to complete the lesson by following the roadmap:
- Complete the Warm Up Exercises
- Review the Vocabulary Section
- Watch the Vocabulary Video
- Play the Vocabulary Game
- Watch the Steph Curry Video
- Read the Reading Comprehension Passage
- Answer the Reading Comprehension Questions
- Chit Chat- Talk about what you learned
- Complete the Homework (Optional)
Warm Up
Sports like basketball require both physical and mental focus. Let's watch a clip from High School Musical. Discuss!
Talk Time
Let's talk to each other!
Why do you think Americans spend a great deal of time and effort training for sports?
Which do you believe holds greater significance: winning or losing? Why?
What do you think it means to “get your head in the game?
Vocabulary
Review the vocabulary for this section.
Rim
An edge or border on or around anything
Record
Something that is extraordinary
Flabbergasting
Surprising or shocking
Frequent
Often
Backboard
The flat sheet of plastic that a basket is attached to
Backspin
Spin applied to the ball causing it to spin backwards
Analyst
Someone who studies or performs an analysis of a topic
Friction
A force that opposes motion
Structure your content
Sections like this help you create order
Vocabulary Video
Click this video to help you learn your new vocabulary words.
Vocabulary Game
To practice your new vocabulary, play a game:
Topic Video
Watch this video to learn more about the topic.
Topic Video
Watch this video to learn more about the topic.
Reading Comprehension
Read the text below aloud.
Stephen Curry made a flabbergasting 402 three-point shots during the 2015-2016 regular NBA season. He holds the record for three-point shots made in the regular season. Stephen, known professionally as “Steph,” makes three-point shots more frequently and more consistently than any other basketball player. Sometimes the ball goes straight into the net but other times it hits the rim and bounces off the backboard before going in. Is he just luckier than other players? Sports analysts have pointed out that when Steph shoots, the ball always leaves his hand with a “backspin.”
Share what you just read about with your mentor in your own words!
Reading Comprehension
Read the text below aloud.
The ball must then travel 23.75 feet from the three-point line to the rim. If the ball is shot without backspin, it might hit the rim at a very high speed and then bounce back quite quickly.
Backspin allows the bottom of the ball to create more friction when it hits the rim and, therefore, lose more of its energy. This causes the ball to gently bounce off the backboard, and there is a good chance that the ball might go in this second time around. Steph Curry is not lucky; he shoots with backspin. And if you want to sink as many three-point shots as he does, then you should too!
Share what you just read about with your mentor in your own words!
Reading Comprehension Questions
Answer the questions below.
According to the text, why is Steph Curry successful with his shots?
Based on the information, evaluate whether Steph Curry's success in three-point shots is primarily due to skill or luck.
How does backspin affect the ball’s interaction with the backboard?
Compare and contrast the outcomes of Steph Curry's shots when they go directly into the net versus when they hit the rim and backboard before going in.
What is the implied benefit of the basketball hitting the backboard with less energy?
What advice is given to someone who wants to improve their three-point shooting?
Chit Chat
Practice speaking with your mentor.
How do you think the values learned in sports can be applied in other areas of life, such as education or business?
Do you have a favorite sports team or athlete? What draws you to them?
Basketball requires a lot of physics, which is the science behind how things move or work. What other sports are heavily influenced by scientific principles?
What do you think it takes for someone to become a professional basketball player? What are the key factors in achieving success as an athlete in this sport?
Feedback
Share Your Thoughts!
© 2025 For Kids Corp. All Rights Reserved
Homework
Option 1: Research
Research the science behind a sport you are interested in.
Option 2: Writing
"Practice makes perfect” is a popular saying. What is something you like to practice? A sport? An instrument? Write about it.
Analyst
Someone who studies or performs an analysis of a topic
Frequent
Often
Rim
An edge or border on or around anything
Backboard
The flat sheet of plastic that a basket is attached to
Friction
A force that opposes motion
Backspin
Spin applied to the ball causing it to spin backwards
Flabbergasting
Surprising or shocking
Record
Something that is extraordinary
Web - L4 Steph Curry Science of Basketball
Admin Nao Now
Created on August 26, 2025
Start designing with a free template
Discover more than 1500 professional designs like these:
View
Project Roadmap Timeline
View
Step-by-Step Timeline: How to Develop an Idea
View
Artificial Intelligence History Timeline
View
Museum Escape Room
View
Momentum: Onboarding Presentation
View
Urban Illustrated Presentation
View
3D Corporate Reporting
Explore all templates
Transcript
In this lesson, we will learn about the physics of basketball and about one of the greatest all-time shooters:
Steph Curry.
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
Be sure to complete the lesson by following the roadmap:
Warm Up
Sports like basketball require both physical and mental focus. Let's watch a clip from High School Musical. Discuss!
Talk Time
Let's talk to each other!
Why do you think Americans spend a great deal of time and effort training for sports?
Which do you believe holds greater significance: winning or losing? Why?
What do you think it means to “get your head in the game?
Vocabulary
Review the vocabulary for this section.
Rim
An edge or border on or around anything
Record
Something that is extraordinary
Flabbergasting
Surprising or shocking
Frequent
Often
Backboard
The flat sheet of plastic that a basket is attached to
Backspin
Spin applied to the ball causing it to spin backwards
Analyst
Someone who studies or performs an analysis of a topic
Friction
A force that opposes motion
Structure your content
Sections like this help you create order
Vocabulary Video
Click this video to help you learn your new vocabulary words.
Vocabulary Game
To practice your new vocabulary, play a game:
Topic Video
Watch this video to learn more about the topic.
Topic Video
Watch this video to learn more about the topic.
Reading Comprehension
Read the text below aloud.
Stephen Curry made a flabbergasting 402 three-point shots during the 2015-2016 regular NBA season. He holds the record for three-point shots made in the regular season. Stephen, known professionally as “Steph,” makes three-point shots more frequently and more consistently than any other basketball player. Sometimes the ball goes straight into the net but other times it hits the rim and bounces off the backboard before going in. Is he just luckier than other players? Sports analysts have pointed out that when Steph shoots, the ball always leaves his hand with a “backspin.”
Share what you just read about with your mentor in your own words!
Reading Comprehension
Read the text below aloud.
The ball must then travel 23.75 feet from the three-point line to the rim. If the ball is shot without backspin, it might hit the rim at a very high speed and then bounce back quite quickly.
Backspin allows the bottom of the ball to create more friction when it hits the rim and, therefore, lose more of its energy. This causes the ball to gently bounce off the backboard, and there is a good chance that the ball might go in this second time around. Steph Curry is not lucky; he shoots with backspin. And if you want to sink as many three-point shots as he does, then you should too!
Share what you just read about with your mentor in your own words!
Reading Comprehension Questions
Answer the questions below.
According to the text, why is Steph Curry successful with his shots?
Based on the information, evaluate whether Steph Curry's success in three-point shots is primarily due to skill or luck.
How does backspin affect the ball’s interaction with the backboard?
Compare and contrast the outcomes of Steph Curry's shots when they go directly into the net versus when they hit the rim and backboard before going in.
What is the implied benefit of the basketball hitting the backboard with less energy?
What advice is given to someone who wants to improve their three-point shooting?
Chit Chat
Practice speaking with your mentor.
How do you think the values learned in sports can be applied in other areas of life, such as education or business?
Do you have a favorite sports team or athlete? What draws you to them?
Basketball requires a lot of physics, which is the science behind how things move or work. What other sports are heavily influenced by scientific principles?
What do you think it takes for someone to become a professional basketball player? What are the key factors in achieving success as an athlete in this sport?
Feedback
Share Your Thoughts!
© 2025 For Kids Corp. All Rights Reserved
Homework
Option 1: Research
Research the science behind a sport you are interested in.
Option 2: Writing
"Practice makes perfect” is a popular saying. What is something you like to practice? A sport? An instrument? Write about it.
Analyst
Someone who studies or performs an analysis of a topic
Frequent
Often
Rim
An edge or border on or around anything
Backboard
The flat sheet of plastic that a basket is attached to
Friction
A force that opposes motion
Backspin
Spin applied to the ball causing it to spin backwards
Flabbergasting
Surprising or shocking
Record
Something that is extraordinary