Shooting STARS
Assessment Day
Explanation of Test Station
Revised September 2011
Introduction:
This booklet contains all of the information that you will need in order to complete the Shooting
STARS Assessment Day.
To accompany this document, there is also a Microsoft Excel document entitled ‘Points Table and
Score Card’, this document can be used to print off a score card for each child and to convert times
and scores into points, in order for participants’ performance to be analysed.
In order to complete the Shooting STARS Assessment Day, you will need an indoor space (Sports Hall
or similar size) and several volunteers (minimum 10).
There are 8 tests in total which can be completed in any order, the tests are:
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20m Sprint
Illinois Agility Run
Hand Eye Coordination
Speed Stacking
Reaction Time
Balance Test
Standing Long Jump
Shuttle Run
Please advise students to complete tests in any order, however please advise them to allow
sufficient time to recover between activities as suggested below:
E.g.
HIGH INTENSITY
LOW INTENSITY
HIGH INTENSITY
20m Sprint
Balance Test
Illinois Agility Run
The 8 tests can be broken down into the following categories:
HIGH INTENSITY / GROSS MOTOR SKILL:
LOW INTENSITY / FINE MOTOR SKILL:
20m Sprint
Hand Eye Coordination
Illinois Agility Run
Speed Stacking
Shuttle Run
Reaction Time
Standing Long Jump
Balance Test
Before commencing the tests, participants should take part in a warm up activity and complete their
personal details on their score card. Participants should then keep their score card with them
through the tests. Volunteers should fill in the scores achieved by participants onto the score card,
NOT participants.
Test 1: 20 metre – SPRINT
AIM:
To test explosive power and speed
EQUIPMENT:
Measuring Tape, 4 * Marker Cones, Stopwatch, Pens
INSTRUCTIONS:
Using the measuring tape and cones, set out two gates which are spaced
20m apart.
Participants should stand between the ‘start’ gate and on the signal from
the starter, sprint as fast as possible through the ‘finish’ gate.
Repeat the test twice, giving sufficient time for rest in between each
attempt.
COACHING TIP: Encourage children to run through the finish line and not to
slow down prior to the finish line.
RECORDING:
Time each attempt and record both times in the spaces provided on the
score sheet, then enter the fastest/lowest time in the ‘best’ box.
DIAGRAM:
START
20m
FINISH
Test 2: Illinois Agility Run
AIM:
To test speed and agility
EQUIPMENT:
Measuring Tape, 8 * Marker Cones, Stopwatch, Pens
INSTRUCTIONS:
Set out the course as per the diagram below, using the measuring tape and
cones, the cones in the middle section should be evenly spaced
approximately 3.33 metres apart.
Participants should aim to complete the course in the fastest time possible.
At the start, participants should lie on the floor with chest, hands and feet
on the floor
On the signal from the starter, participants should stand to their feet and
follow the course accordingly.
Repeat the test twice, giving sufficient time for rest in between each
attempt.
COACHING TIP: Encourage children to run through the finish line and not to
slow down prior to the finish line.
Explain the route of the course to participants before they start the course
RECORDING:
Time each attempt and record both times in the spaces provided on the
score sheet, then enter the fastest/lowest time in the ‘best’ box.
DIAGRAM:
3.33m
10m
START
FINISH
5m
Test 3: Hand Eye Coordination
AIM:
To test hand eye coordination
EQUIPMENT:
Tennis Ball, Measuring Tape, Stopwatch, Floor Marker, Pens
INSTRUCTIONS:
Place the floor marker, 2m from a flat wall using the measuring tape.
Participant stands on/at the floor marker facing the wall.
On the signal from the starter, the participant will throw the tennis ball
(underarm) from right hand to left hand, left hand to right hand etc
bouncing the ball off of the wall each time.
Continue the test for 30 seconds.
Repeat the test twice, allowing time for rest in between
COACHING TIP: Encourage participants to follow and watch the ball with
their eyes
RECORDING:
During the 30 second test, count how many times a successful catch is made
from left to right and/or right to left. If the participant does not catch the
ball or the ball touches the floor this does not count as a successful catch.
Record each attempt in the spaces provided on the score card, and enter the
highest number in the ‘highest’ box.
DIAGRAM:
WALL
2m
LEFT
HAND
RIGHT
HAND
Test 4: Speed Stacking
AIM:
To test hand eye coordination and replication of a movement pattern
EQUIPMENT:
Speed Stacking Set, Table and Chairs, Pens
INSTRUCTIONS:
Participants will be asked to complete the 3-3-3 stack as fast as possible.
Participants will be given approximately 1 minute to practice the task.
COACHING TIP: Encourage children to practice the routine rather than trying
to go as fast as they can
RECORDING:
When participants are ready to complete the task, they should press the
reset button on the timer, and put their hands on the 2 pads, a green light
will appear.
Participants should then complete the 3-3-3 stack and touch the timer pads
with 2 hands to stop the clock.
Repeat the test twice, and enter the scores in the spaces provided on the
score card, enter the fastest/lowest time in the ‘best’ box.
DIAGRAM:
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
Test 5: Reaction Time
AIM:
To test reaction time to a stimulus
EQUIPMENT:
Metre Ruler, Pens
INSTRUCTIONS:
Ask the participant to stand up with their left or right arm outstretched in
front of them.
Position the metre rule between the thumb and forefinger of the
outstretched arm with 0cm at the bottom level with the thumb and
forefingers.
The hand that isn’t being used should be placed behind the back.
When the participant is ready, drop the metre ruler
The participant should try to catch the ruler between thumb and forefinger
as quickly as possible.
Repeat the test with both hands, the participant only has 1 attempt per
hand
COACHING TIP: Ensure that children are focused on the ruler and no
distracted by external factors
RECORDING:
From the highest point, measure the distance it has taken to catch the
metre ruler (e.g. top of thumb / forefinger).
Insert the score in cm into the appropriate box and then enter the average
of the 2 scores in to the ‘average’ box.
DIAGRAM:
Test 6: Balance Test
AIM:
To test balance
EQUIPMENT:
Balance Beam, Stopwatch, Pens
INSTRUCTIONS:
Place one foot on the beam (this must be in line with and not across the
beam).
Bend free leg backwards and hold the foot, gain balance by holding the
judges arm.
COACHING TIP: Encourage participants to use their free arm to balance
RECORDING:
The watch is started when the participant releases the judge’s arm.
The watch stops when participant lets go of the free foot, touches the floor
or completes 15 seconds
Enter the time in the appropriate box in seconds (max 15)
Repeat the test twice on each leg.
Add up the total of all 4 attempts and enter the score into the ‘total’ box
(max 60)
DIAGRAM:
Test 7: Standing Long Jump
AIM:
To test explosive power and jumping technique
EQUIPMENT:
Standing Long Jump Mat, Pens
INSTRUCTIONS:
Ensure that the participant stands with 2 feet together behind the start line.
The participant should jump as far forward as they can onto the mat and
land with two feet together.
Ensure participants take off and land on two feet, do not allow participants
to step.
COACHING TIP: Encourage participants to bend at the knees and swing arms
for lift.
RECORDING:
Measure from the back of the feet where the participant lands
Repeat the test twice, and record the scores in the appropriate box and
enter the highest score in the ‘best’ box.
DIAGRAM:
Test 8: Shuttle Run
AIM:
To test cardiovascular endurance
EQUIPMENT:
Measuring Tape, 4 * Marker Cones, Stopwatch, Pens
INSTRUCTIONS:
Using the measuring tape and cones, set out two gates which are spaced
10m apart.
Participants should stand between the ‘start’ gate and on the signal from
the starter, run as fast as possible to the end gate and then return to the
start gate, remembering to pace themselves in order to run all 10 shuttles.
This should be repeated 5 times before crossing the finish line.
Participants should cross the line at each end with at least 1 body part.
COACHING TIP: Encourage children to run through the finish line and not to
slow down prior to the finish line.
Encourage children to bend their needs and keep low centre of gravity when
changing direction
RECORDING:
Time the attempt and record in the space provided on the score sheet, then
enter the time in the ‘seconds’ box.
DIAGRAM
START
X5
FINISH
10m