Brittani Bush and Collin Grogan

Structural Anatomy Project Paper

Biomechanics of the Jump-Shot

May 13, 2011

Basketball Jump-Shot

Since basketball was created in 1891, the game has evolved tremendously in many aspects. The once half court slow paced game has over the years transformed into a high intensity, skill oriented competition. Basketball was invented by Dr. James Naismith whose goal was to create a vigorous indoor game that could be played all year round. In the early years basketball consisted of only two popular ways of scoring; the hook shot and set shot. However, today there are a variety of scoring techniques that players at all levels incorporate in their game to achieve higher scoring percentages. One of these, now popular aspects, includes the jump shot. A jump shot is an attempt to score a basket by jumping up into the air, and in mid-jump propelling the ball in an arc towards the basket.

The purpose of the jump shot is to make the defenders job more difficult allowing the offensive player to elevate above the defender in an attempt to get a clear shot off. By elevating off of the ground it allows the shooter to create space between his or her defender. The jump shot is a shot that can be taken in transition as well as one on one off the dribble in any situation. Due to the fast pace movement of the game the jump shot proves to be very effective in scoring.

In order to properly execute the jump shot, a shooter must breakdown the shot into four different phases: the prepatory phase, elevation phase, follow through, and landing. During the prepatory phase the shooter aligns the body with the basket, making sure that his/her feet are squared towards the target and positioned directly under the body. It is important that the feet and knees remain shoulder-width apart in order to maintain balance and stability. The shooting foot should be slightly positioned in front of the non-shooting foot. Both feet should remain on the ground during the prepatory phase and weight should be shifted evenly on the balls of the feet.

As a shooter transitions into the elevation phase the body’s weight is propelled upward as force is generated through the balls of the feet. The lower half of the body begins to unload as the knees transition from flexion to extension and the hips extend forward. The shooting elbow is flexed at a 90 degree angle with the ball resting in the palm of the hand forcing the wrist into extension. For the ball to remain in the shooters hands the opposite (guide hand) should rest gently against the side of the ball. This will provide the shooter with greater control of the ball throughout the shot. As the body elevates off the ground the ball will slowly extend upward reaching the release point.

As the ball is released from the shooter’s hand, it should roll off the fingertips at an elevated state moving in the direction of the basket. To generate enough force the shooting wrist must “flick” forward on the follow through transitioning from extension to flexion. This motion initiates the third phase, the follow-through. On the follow through the shooting arm elevates into extension, while the guide hand/arm remains in flexion. The force is generated primarily through the strength of the shooting arm. For beginners, the phrase “reach into the cookie jar” is used to provide a visual of full extension of the arm and flexion of the wrist on the release of the ball.

Once elbow has reached full extension and the ball has been released, the player must prepare for landing mode. On the landing the player should maintain the follow-through until the ball makes contact with the target or basket. As the body begins to descend towards the ground, the player’s legs must remain shoulder-width apart in order to land in control and balanced. Once contact has been made with the ground, a player should land softly on the balls of the feet to absorb impact.

The jump-shot is a complex skill that requires dynamic capability and execution. These four phases play a huge role in the effectiveness of the jump-shot. As a shooter breaks down his/her shot into these four phases they can begin to develop proper biomechanics that will lead to greater success and shooting percentages.

Biomechanical Analysis

Phase 1: Prepatory Type of Plane Axes of Rotation Joint Phase Movement Ankles Dorsi-Flexion Sagittal Mediolateral Extensor Digitorum Longus Toes Sagittal Mediolateral Phalanges Knees Flexion Sagittal Mediolateral Patellofemoral Hips Flexion Sagittal Mediolateral Adductor Longus Elbows Flexion Sagittal Mediolateral Brachialis Wrist Extension Sagittal Mediolateral Inferior Extensor Retinaculum Neck Extension Sagittal Mediolateral Trapezius Trunk Slight Flexion Sagittal Mediolateral Rectus Abdominous

Phase 2: Elevation Type of Plane Axes of Rotation Joint Movement Toes Extension Sagittal Mediolateral Phalanges Ankles Planar-Flexion Sagittal Mediolateral Metatarsals Knees Extension Sagittal Mediolateral Patellofemoral Hips Extension Sagittal Mediolateral Adductor Longus Elbows Flexion Sagittal Mediolateral Brachialis Shoulders Flexion/Internal Sagittal Mediolateral Trapezius Rotation Right Wrist Extension Sagittal Mediolateral Inferior Extensor (Shooting Hand) Retinaculum Left Wrist Extension Sagittal Mediolateral Inferior Extensor Retinaculum Neck Extension Sagittal Mediolateral Trapezius

Phase 3: Follow Type of Plane Axes of Rotation Joint Through Movement Toes Extension Sagittal Mediolateral Phalanges Ankles Planar-Flexion Sagittal Mediolateral Metatarsals Knees Extension Sagittal Mediolateral Patellofemoral Hips Extension Sagittal Mediolateral Adductor Longus Elbow Extension Sagittal Mediolateral Brachialis (Shooting Elbow) Elbow Flexion Sagittal Mediolateral Brachialis (Guide Elbow) Shoulders Extension Sagittal Mediolateral Trapezius Right Wrist Flexion on the Sagittal Mediolateral Inferior Extensor (Shooting Hand) release of the ball Retinaculum Left Wrist Extension Sagittal Mediolateral Inferior Extensor Retinaculum Neck Neutral Sagittal Mediolateral Trapezius

Phase 4: Landing Type of Plane Axes of Rotation Joint Movement Ankles Dorsi-Flexion Sagittal Mediolateral Metatarsals Knees Flexion Sagittal Mediolateral Patellofemoral (slight bend) Hips Flexion Sagittal Mediolateral Adductor Longus Elbow Extension Sagittal Mediolateral Brachialis (Shooting Elbow) Elbow Flexion Sagittal Mediolateral Brachialis (Guide Elbow) Shoulders Extension Sagittal Mediolateral Trapezius Right Wrist Flexion on the Sagittal Mediolateral Inferior Extensor (Shooting Hand) release of the ball Retinaculum Left Wrist Extension Sagittal Mediolateral Inferior Extensor Retinaculum

Bibliography

Davis, John K. The Shot That Changed Basketball: The Jump Shot Revolutionized the Game. May 27,

2008. http://www.suite101.com/content/the-shot-that-changed-basketball-a55146

Knudson, Duane V., Morrison, Craig S. Qualitative Analysis of Human Movement (pg. 162-168). Human

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http://books.google.com/books?id=KkuLbRlzTRUC&pg=PA162&lpg=PA162&dq=biomechanics

Module Five: Introduction to Biomechanics (pg. 18-23).

http://www.sparc.org.nz/Documents/Communities%20and%20Clubs/Coaching/l2-module5-

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