Basketball Free Throw
SPS 1102 Project
Biomechanics behind the
basketball free throw
Basketball Free Throw
• Movement studied was the over-hand free
throw
• Easiest scoring opportunity in a basketball
game.
Basketball Free Throw
Subjects information
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Young male.
He plays basketball at a social level
regularly
Basketball Free Throw
Set-up for analysis
To view the skill in question we used:
– camera, on fast shutter speed
– tripod
Basketball Free Throw
Critical Features
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Keep movement in plane in which final motion is desired.
Use long levers
Avoid initial movement that is not in desired direction
Maintain a good base of support
Speed, angle, and height of release
Correct use of segments
Basketball Free Throw
Evaluation of Critical Features
 Good, no excessive unnecessary movements (back or down).
 Good, full extension of arm.
 Good, feet just over shoulder length apart. Dominant foot slightly
forward to maintain balance after the shot.
 Adequate speed. Use of fingertips to project the ball, spin
imparted through flexion of wrist.
 Initial angle large enough to ensure that there was margin for
error.
 Segments all flowed. No resistance was created through fusion
of segments. The wrist came through well at the end.
Basketball Free Throw
Coaching cues:
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Face the basket.
Lift arms as high as possible.
Feet shoulder width apart.
Make sure that the ball is held on your fingertips,
never the palm of your hand.
 Feel your wrist flexing at the end of the movement.
Basketball Free Throw
Continued evaluation
• Re-evaluate subject
• Watch for old errors as well as new ones