A spreadsheet was developed to simulate the trajectory of balls in flight. This spreadsheet takes into account air resistance. See the effect of calculating without air resistance and you will agree that it is an important factor that cannot be ignored. You can simulate that in the spreadsheet by setting Density of air = 0 or Coefficient of drag = 0. For an explanation on how to calculate projectile motion with air resistance, refer to the following document.

 Projectile Motion with Air Resistance

This spreadsheet can also calculate trajectories due to the effect of spin on the ball. Try putting top spin or back spin (use negative sign) on the ball and see what happens. It calculates the Magnus force which creates lift for back spin and dive for top spin. To calculate the effect, you just add the Magnus force to the gravity force and the air resistance when you calculate the acceleration or deceleration.

For the 2008 game Overdrive, the track ball is 40 inches in diameter and weighs 7.3 pounds. The overpass is 6.5 feet off the ground.

 Ball Trajectory 2008 (Excel file)

For the 2010 game Breakaway, the soccer ball is about 8.75 inches in diameter and weighs 15 ounces. The bump is about 13 inches off the ground.

 Ball Trajectory 2010 (Excel file)

For the 2012 game Rebound Rumble, the basketball is about 8 inches in diameter and weighs 10.5 ounces. The top rim is about 8 feet 2 inches off the ground.

 Ball Trajectory 2012 (Excel file)

In future years, if the game challenge involves throwing balls, come back to this site and look for a game specific spreadsheet to help you with trajectory calculations.