Introduction
A basketball Jump shot is an attempt to score for a basket performed by the player, which is released at the highest point of a vertical jump. (Collins English Dictionary, 2003)
A basketball Jump shot is an attempt to score for a basket performed by the player, which is released at the highest point of a vertical jump. (Collins English Dictionary, 2003)
Four Movement phase of a Basketball Jump Shot
Preoperational stance
Skill cue- Body positioned facing the goal; feet are stagged shoulder width apart, with shooting foot slightly ahead of the non-shooting foot and eyes concentrating on centre on the ring. (Babcock, 2005)
The position of the body facing the goal will ensure the direction and alignment of the jump shot can be performed. The stance of the jump shot is important for maintaining a near perfect vertical jump. Research suggests that skilled and successful shooters keep a vertical motion while shooting and reduce horizontal positions. (Elliott & White, 1989) The position of the jump should keep the trunk of the body near vertical, this motion increase the success of the jump shot. (Knudson, 1993) In basketball there is a basic position that allows players to essentially be ready for offence and defence. This position for players is to bring the centre of gravity low and stand on the balls of the feet this will support and hold the weight of the body providing balance, power and enhances propulsion. In this position the body is evenly distributed therefore with a low centre of gravity the body will keep this vertical motion jumping as close to vertical as possible. (Willis, 2003)
Force- Newtons 3rd law
Newtons 3rd law “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction” this quote connects to the stance of the vertical jump motion. When jumping in a vertical motion, force is applied when the foot has contact with the ground. The equal and opposite reaction that occurs in the basketball jump shot is when the player takes the vertical jump to reach the height before making a shot at the basket. Ground reaction force (GRF) is what makes the foot stay above ground if GRF did not occur the player’s foot would sink into the ground. When the player takes a jump shot, the reaction of the ground forces against the foot allows for the jump shot motion to take place. (Blazevich, 2013) Wuest and Butcher (2009) state that “Force from the legs must be applied to the ground such that the upward reaction force from the ground is directed through the centre of mass of the body” (p. 238).
Kinetic chain/ acceleration
The basketball jump shot consists of a throw-like movement pattern, with the sequential extension of joints making the throwing motion of the shot. This movement pattern consists of shoulder and hip rotation (positioning of the body), elbow and wrist acceleration and finger and ball acceleration. Altogether these joints create momentum through large muscle forces that transfer an object to the angle of direction through acceleration. When a player takes a jump shot and uses the throw-like motion of the kinetic chain, acceleration of the movements allow the ball to fly through the air to reach the basket. (Blazevich, 2013)
Angle /linear motion
In basketball players need to keep the head and eyes still and focused on the ring during the execution of the movement as shown in Figure 1. This will allow for a more accurate movement and focus directed to the goal. The centre of mass (CM) for a basketball player can raise and fall with the production of a vertical jump as players can manipulate their body parts. Basketball players will generally bring the legs up and underneath the body for the jump bring the upper body down closer to CM, then extending the legs in a fast motion sending the upper body upwards and away from the CM. This movement keeps the head and eyes in the same position throughout the execution of a basketball jump shot and the CM in a similar position. (Blazevich, 2013)
Power Production
Skill cue- control the ball by the fingertips, place shooting hand underneath the ball with elbow facing the floor and place the other hand on the side of the ball for balance. (Babcock, 2005)
Holding the ball by the finger tips provides more control for the player then by the palm of the hand. (Babcock,2005) Holding the ball by the finger tips with the acceleration of the wrist allows for a backspin motion to follow. This motion creates a soft shot that has better chance of rebounding if there is no goal. (Alexander, 1990) For increased accuracy the forearm should be lined up with the basket and nearly vertical. Due to flying elbows and incorrect flexion of wrist this decrease shooters ability to accurately direct the shot and therefore the right spin on the ball cannot occur. (Knudson, 1993)
Summation of forces
When performing a basketball jump shot the body forces against the ground jumping in a vertical motion but the arms of the body are in the same vertical position, trying to force an object (basketball) to move against gravity. The basketball generates the sum of all forces from each body part gaining maximum momentum through the sequential chain of movements. To perform the Basketball Jump shot the player users a summation of forces starting from the feet through to the fingertips of release. To Gain enough power through the jump the player has to apply enough force towards the ground allowing for upwards reaction force (the height of the vertical jump) and the ball to be thrown through the air to the basket. As said in newtons 3rd law every action has an equal and opposite reaction, this is the same when in the position of the jump shot, the player jumps extending the legs while the arms are moving out and downwards to perform the shot. This reaction rotation is because when in a cycle of movements the body always needs to be balanced with the opposite part of the body. For example when running one leg moves from back to front and the other leg moves the opposite direction of front to back. The leg in the back is pushing (moving the body forward) and the front leg is allowing the body to stay balanced and is in position to keep the cycle going. (Blazevich, 2013)
Kinetic and mechanical energy
Kinetic energy is associated with motion if an object has a larger mass or velocity then it will have great energy. When a basketball player has great power the ball will tend to have far greater kinetic energy and will have better velocity therefore more kinetic energy. When performing a jump a basketball player needs much energy to keep consistent throughout the game. A basketball player attains mechanical work due to the power of making many basketball jump shot; a player needs mechanical energy to move the object (ball) from the hands to the basketball ring. (Blazevich, 2013)
Preoperational stance
Skill cue- Body positioned facing the goal; feet are stagged shoulder width apart, with shooting foot slightly ahead of the non-shooting foot and eyes concentrating on centre on the ring. (Babcock, 2005)
The position of the body facing the goal will ensure the direction and alignment of the jump shot can be performed. The stance of the jump shot is important for maintaining a near perfect vertical jump. Research suggests that skilled and successful shooters keep a vertical motion while shooting and reduce horizontal positions. (Elliott & White, 1989) The position of the jump should keep the trunk of the body near vertical, this motion increase the success of the jump shot. (Knudson, 1993) In basketball there is a basic position that allows players to essentially be ready for offence and defence. This position for players is to bring the centre of gravity low and stand on the balls of the feet this will support and hold the weight of the body providing balance, power and enhances propulsion. In this position the body is evenly distributed therefore with a low centre of gravity the body will keep this vertical motion jumping as close to vertical as possible. (Willis, 2003)
Force- Newtons 3rd law
Newtons 3rd law “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction” this quote connects to the stance of the vertical jump motion. When jumping in a vertical motion, force is applied when the foot has contact with the ground. The equal and opposite reaction that occurs in the basketball jump shot is when the player takes the vertical jump to reach the height before making a shot at the basket. Ground reaction force (GRF) is what makes the foot stay above ground if GRF did not occur the player’s foot would sink into the ground. When the player takes a jump shot, the reaction of the ground forces against the foot allows for the jump shot motion to take place. (Blazevich, 2013) Wuest and Butcher (2009) state that “Force from the legs must be applied to the ground such that the upward reaction force from the ground is directed through the centre of mass of the body” (p. 238).
Kinetic chain/ acceleration
The basketball jump shot consists of a throw-like movement pattern, with the sequential extension of joints making the throwing motion of the shot. This movement pattern consists of shoulder and hip rotation (positioning of the body), elbow and wrist acceleration and finger and ball acceleration. Altogether these joints create momentum through large muscle forces that transfer an object to the angle of direction through acceleration. When a player takes a jump shot and uses the throw-like motion of the kinetic chain, acceleration of the movements allow the ball to fly through the air to reach the basket. (Blazevich, 2013)
Angle /linear motion
In basketball players need to keep the head and eyes still and focused on the ring during the execution of the movement as shown in Figure 1. This will allow for a more accurate movement and focus directed to the goal. The centre of mass (CM) for a basketball player can raise and fall with the production of a vertical jump as players can manipulate their body parts. Basketball players will generally bring the legs up and underneath the body for the jump bring the upper body down closer to CM, then extending the legs in a fast motion sending the upper body upwards and away from the CM. This movement keeps the head and eyes in the same position throughout the execution of a basketball jump shot and the CM in a similar position. (Blazevich, 2013)
Power Production
Skill cue- control the ball by the fingertips, place shooting hand underneath the ball with elbow facing the floor and place the other hand on the side of the ball for balance. (Babcock, 2005)
Holding the ball by the finger tips provides more control for the player then by the palm of the hand. (Babcock,2005) Holding the ball by the finger tips with the acceleration of the wrist allows for a backspin motion to follow. This motion creates a soft shot that has better chance of rebounding if there is no goal. (Alexander, 1990) For increased accuracy the forearm should be lined up with the basket and nearly vertical. Due to flying elbows and incorrect flexion of wrist this decrease shooters ability to accurately direct the shot and therefore the right spin on the ball cannot occur. (Knudson, 1993)
Summation of forces
When performing a basketball jump shot the body forces against the ground jumping in a vertical motion but the arms of the body are in the same vertical position, trying to force an object (basketball) to move against gravity. The basketball generates the sum of all forces from each body part gaining maximum momentum through the sequential chain of movements. To perform the Basketball Jump shot the player users a summation of forces starting from the feet through to the fingertips of release. To Gain enough power through the jump the player has to apply enough force towards the ground allowing for upwards reaction force (the height of the vertical jump) and the ball to be thrown through the air to the basket. As said in newtons 3rd law every action has an equal and opposite reaction, this is the same when in the position of the jump shot, the player jumps extending the legs while the arms are moving out and downwards to perform the shot. This reaction rotation is because when in a cycle of movements the body always needs to be balanced with the opposite part of the body. For example when running one leg moves from back to front and the other leg moves the opposite direction of front to back. The leg in the back is pushing (moving the body forward) and the front leg is allowing the body to stay balanced and is in position to keep the cycle going. (Blazevich, 2013)
Kinetic and mechanical energy
Kinetic energy is associated with motion if an object has a larger mass or velocity then it will have great energy. When a basketball player has great power the ball will tend to have far greater kinetic energy and will have better velocity therefore more kinetic energy. When performing a jump a basketball player needs much energy to keep consistent throughout the game. A basketball player attains mechanical work due to the power of making many basketball jump shot; a player needs mechanical energy to move the object (ball) from the hands to the basketball ring. (Blazevich, 2013)
Release
Skill cue- knees slightly bend in preparation for the jump, ball aligned with the eyes and the target. (Babcock, 2005)
Bent knees will create balance for the shooter supporting the vigorous jump shot. (Elliott & White, 1989) Balance is essential for an accurate jump shot, if the shooters centre of gravity is over its base of support, the size of the support increases. A strong and stable structure will assist in optimising accuracy when performing a jump shot. (Kibler, Press, & Sciascia, 2006) Focusing on the target, the ball should sit approximately in line with your eyes and the target; this alignment will aid the direction of the shot. (Knudson, 1993) In figure 2. there is a good representation of what is required to perform a perfect basketball jump shot.
Projection motion and speed
Projectile motion is the motion of an object projected at an angle in the air. When the basketball is released from the finger tips, the ball flies through the air towards the basket. Gravity does not have a huge impact on the ball slowing down or stopping but without great velocity behind the ball and air resistance the ball will slow down. Through the acceleration of the forces from each body part the ball goes in the direction towards the basket until the external force (basketball ring) hits the ball making the ball bounce in the direction of where that force hit the ball. (Blazevich, 2013)
Projection speed
“The faster the projection speed the faster the object will go” (Blazevich, 2013, p. 25). When an object is thrown into the air, the object will keep going until it hits the ground. When shooting for goal in a basketball game, players will shoot with greater force in the upwards position making a curve in the alignment from the hand to the ring allowing for (backspin motion) a bounce off the back board into the right. (Blazevich, 2013)
Follow through
Skill cue- extension of the knees creating a jump, at the top of the jump extends the shooting arm and flexion of the wrist (backspin) into an action of placing the hand into a cookie jar. (Babcock, 2005)
Flexion of the wrist will help create a backspin which increases the chance of rebounding if the initial shot doesn't follow through. The back spin action decreases the horizontal velocity of the ball if the ball hits the rim of the goal, this will cause the bounce to follow through downwards if backboard is hit. (Alexander, 1990)
Backspin
Backspin is created when vigorous flexion and pronation of the wrist occurs peaking near the release of the ball. In basketball backspin helps decrease the speed of the ball flying through the air and aids the rebound when either touching the rim or back board. (Fryer, 2014) The backspin on the ball will allow the ball to rebound in a vertical direction. “The backspin, after contact with the back rim or board, will result in a change in velocity opposite to the spin direction, changing an equal-angle rebound into a velocity more toward the net”( Knudson, 1993, p. 71).
How can this Information be used?
In all sports the positioning and alignment of the body is crucial for performance and technique levels. The stance used for a basketball jump shot can be used for a netball shot; this application can also be used in and during sports in particular a football game. This stance gives players optimum position allowing players to easily accelerate, jump, slide, stop, pivot and hold position. The force of gravity is a dynamic that each sport needs to work with to change movements working with the force of gravity. Newton’s laws help athletes and coaches to understand and acknowledge the forces and apply application that work with these laws of physics, for example the application used in basketball is applied in sports such as tennis and netball, in tennis the serve required a vertical jump motion but instead of falling down in the vertical position the body is forced by the reaction of hitting the ball and forced horizontally towards the net. The netball shot also required the same force when taking a shot the force of the ground plus the force applied by the feet allow the extension of the knees extend to player to shoot for goal. The human body produces movements that are either throw-like or push-like motions these two motions are movements within the body that are refined from coordination of several joints at the same time. The throw-like movement pattern that occurs when applying the jump shot movement can be applied to a baseball pitcher and cricket pitcher. These two roles in the sport have movement that sequentially extend one after another throwing the ball at high speeds to distract the opponent. The backspin technique of a basketball can be transferred onto other ball sports such as the netball shot, the application is the same and will help netball players achieve the same goal. (Blazevich, 2013)
Skill cue- knees slightly bend in preparation for the jump, ball aligned with the eyes and the target. (Babcock, 2005)
Bent knees will create balance for the shooter supporting the vigorous jump shot. (Elliott & White, 1989) Balance is essential for an accurate jump shot, if the shooters centre of gravity is over its base of support, the size of the support increases. A strong and stable structure will assist in optimising accuracy when performing a jump shot. (Kibler, Press, & Sciascia, 2006) Focusing on the target, the ball should sit approximately in line with your eyes and the target; this alignment will aid the direction of the shot. (Knudson, 1993) In figure 2. there is a good representation of what is required to perform a perfect basketball jump shot.
Projection motion and speed
Projectile motion is the motion of an object projected at an angle in the air. When the basketball is released from the finger tips, the ball flies through the air towards the basket. Gravity does not have a huge impact on the ball slowing down or stopping but without great velocity behind the ball and air resistance the ball will slow down. Through the acceleration of the forces from each body part the ball goes in the direction towards the basket until the external force (basketball ring) hits the ball making the ball bounce in the direction of where that force hit the ball. (Blazevich, 2013)
Projection speed
“The faster the projection speed the faster the object will go” (Blazevich, 2013, p. 25). When an object is thrown into the air, the object will keep going until it hits the ground. When shooting for goal in a basketball game, players will shoot with greater force in the upwards position making a curve in the alignment from the hand to the ring allowing for (backspin motion) a bounce off the back board into the right. (Blazevich, 2013)
Follow through
Skill cue- extension of the knees creating a jump, at the top of the jump extends the shooting arm and flexion of the wrist (backspin) into an action of placing the hand into a cookie jar. (Babcock, 2005)
Flexion of the wrist will help create a backspin which increases the chance of rebounding if the initial shot doesn't follow through. The back spin action decreases the horizontal velocity of the ball if the ball hits the rim of the goal, this will cause the bounce to follow through downwards if backboard is hit. (Alexander, 1990)
Backspin
Backspin is created when vigorous flexion and pronation of the wrist occurs peaking near the release of the ball. In basketball backspin helps decrease the speed of the ball flying through the air and aids the rebound when either touching the rim or back board. (Fryer, 2014) The backspin on the ball will allow the ball to rebound in a vertical direction. “The backspin, after contact with the back rim or board, will result in a change in velocity opposite to the spin direction, changing an equal-angle rebound into a velocity more toward the net”( Knudson, 1993, p. 71).
How can this Information be used?
In all sports the positioning and alignment of the body is crucial for performance and technique levels. The stance used for a basketball jump shot can be used for a netball shot; this application can also be used in and during sports in particular a football game. This stance gives players optimum position allowing players to easily accelerate, jump, slide, stop, pivot and hold position. The force of gravity is a dynamic that each sport needs to work with to change movements working with the force of gravity. Newton’s laws help athletes and coaches to understand and acknowledge the forces and apply application that work with these laws of physics, for example the application used in basketball is applied in sports such as tennis and netball, in tennis the serve required a vertical jump motion but instead of falling down in the vertical position the body is forced by the reaction of hitting the ball and forced horizontally towards the net. The netball shot also required the same force when taking a shot the force of the ground plus the force applied by the feet allow the extension of the knees extend to player to shoot for goal. The human body produces movements that are either throw-like or push-like motions these two motions are movements within the body that are refined from coordination of several joints at the same time. The throw-like movement pattern that occurs when applying the jump shot movement can be applied to a baseball pitcher and cricket pitcher. These two roles in the sport have movement that sequentially extend one after another throwing the ball at high speeds to distract the opponent. The backspin technique of a basketball can be transferred onto other ball sports such as the netball shot, the application is the same and will help netball players achieve the same goal. (Blazevich, 2013)
References
Alexander, M. (1990). The application of biomechanics to basketball skills. CAHPER Journal, 56(3), 4-10.
Babcock, R. (2005). Shooting form and technique. Shooting Fundamentals- NBA Raptors Basketball, 4-6.
Blazevich, A. J. (2013). Sports biomechanics: the basics: optimising human performance. A&C Black.
Blazevich, A., J. (2012). Sports Biomechanics the Basics: Optimising Human Performance.
Collins English Dictionary. (2003). The Free Dictionary: jump shot. Retrieved from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/jump+shot
Elliott, B., & White, E. (1989). A kinematic and kinetic analysis of the female two point and three point jump shots in basketball. The Australian Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 21(2), 7-11.
Haefner, J. (2014). Proper Basketball Shooting Technique, Fundamentals, Form, Mechanics.Breakthroughbasketball.com. Retrieved 19 June 2014, from http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/fundamentals/shooting-technique.html
Fryer, T. (2014). 10 Fundamentals for Proper Footwork. iHoops. Retrieved 18 June 2014, from http://youth.usab.com/training-room/coaches/10-Fundamentals-for-Proper-Footwork.htm
Kibler, W. B., Press, J., & Sciascia, A. (2006). The role of core stability in athletic function. Sports Medicine, 36(3), 189-198.
Knudson, D. (1993). Biomechanics of the basketball jump shot—Six key teaching points. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 64(2), 67-73.
Willis, B. (2003) The Physics of Basketball.
Wuest, D. A., Butcher, C. A. (2009). Foundations of Physical Education, Exercise science, and Sport. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill