2008 Woodie Awards
Athletes improve through technology
Machines replace traditional techniques in practice
Aaron Ostrenga
Issue date: 4/12/07 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 1
In sports everyone looks for an edge over the competition. Differences in ability among college athletes are measured in fractions of points and percentages.
Machines provide one such edge over the competition. The Kirkwood Community College men's basketball team has gained this edge in the form of the Dr. Dish Shooting Machine.
Dr. Dish is a multi-purpose basketball machine that was purchased in the summer of 2006. It is used in the Johnson Hall basketball court during practice.
"It basically can be programmed to pass balls at different spots on the floor, different rates of speed, and keeps track of shots taken," Men's Basketball Coach Doug Wagemester said.
The machine sits underneath the hoop. As players shoot the basketball a net collects the balls to eliminate the need for a re-bounder and the balls are funneled into a launcher. The launcher is designed to swivel on a base to cover a 180 degree radius on the basketball court, delivering a pass to players at any spot on the floor.
One advantage of using the Dr. Dish is improvement through consistency. The machine allows players to shoot more shots in a shorter period of time.
Wagemester said, "Shooting game speed shots at high repetition hopefully makes players better shooters."
Several players benefit from challenging themselves and each other, by competing over who gets the better shot percentage before the timer runs out.
Wagemester said, "The ones who want to improve their shooting really seem to like the machine. It is very easy to set up, you don't need another person assisting and you are able to get many shots up in a short period of time."
The machine allows players to improve their averages from the floor and from the free throw line during games. Improvements in game play can lead to better performances during games.
Dr. Dish gives an edge to Eagles' already impressive 2006-2007 game record of 24-6 when they finished seventh in the NJCAA Division II national poll.
First year men's basketball team member Matt Banzhaf said, "We practice using [Dr. Dish] to improve shooting percentages for next year's [basketball] season."
Machines provide one such edge over the competition. The Kirkwood Community College men's basketball team has gained this edge in the form of the Dr. Dish Shooting Machine.
Dr. Dish is a multi-purpose basketball machine that was purchased in the summer of 2006. It is used in the Johnson Hall basketball court during practice.
"It basically can be programmed to pass balls at different spots on the floor, different rates of speed, and keeps track of shots taken," Men's Basketball Coach Doug Wagemester said.
The machine sits underneath the hoop. As players shoot the basketball a net collects the balls to eliminate the need for a re-bounder and the balls are funneled into a launcher. The launcher is designed to swivel on a base to cover a 180 degree radius on the basketball court, delivering a pass to players at any spot on the floor.
One advantage of using the Dr. Dish is improvement through consistency. The machine allows players to shoot more shots in a shorter period of time.
Wagemester said, "Shooting game speed shots at high repetition hopefully makes players better shooters."
Several players benefit from challenging themselves and each other, by competing over who gets the better shot percentage before the timer runs out.
Wagemester said, "The ones who want to improve their shooting really seem to like the machine. It is very easy to set up, you don't need another person assisting and you are able to get many shots up in a short period of time."
The machine allows players to improve their averages from the floor and from the free throw line during games. Improvements in game play can lead to better performances during games.
Dr. Dish gives an edge to Eagles' already impressive 2006-2007 game record of 24-6 when they finished seventh in the NJCAA Division II national poll.
First year men's basketball team member Matt Banzhaf said, "We practice using [Dr. Dish] to improve shooting percentages for next year's [basketball] season."
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