A biomechanical analysis by skill level of free throw shooting in basketball. Paper presented at the Biomechanics

Free throw shooting in basketball is a task which falls into two broad categories of sports skills. First, it is a task of accuracy. Second, it requires submaximal velocity for most populations of players. Because of the submaximal velocity demands, there are endless combinations of segmental contribu-tions in conjunction with numerous projection angles and velo-cities which can result in shots which directly or indirectly fall through the basket. In addition to the segmental actions which contribute to shooting performance, there may be other actions which are extraneous to performance. These non-related characteristics can be termed style. Since the identification of characteristics which are consistently employed by skilled per-formers and conspicuously absent in poor performers may lead to improved teaching and coaching, this study was conducted to ana-lyze selected biomechanical parameters of free throw shooting by players of varying skill. REVIEW OF LITERATURE Most discussions of the biomechanics of free throw shooting are based on qualitative observation or mathematical deduction rather than on experimental evidence. Categorically, the variables cited are product elements (characteristics of the object) and process elements (characteristics of the performer). Subjective assessments of the product elements of angle and velocity of projection are abundant. There are numerous advo