Successful Free Throws Research Articles

Effects of Shooting with A Reduced Hoop Diameter Rim on Kinematics of a Basketball Free-Throw

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a reduced rim diameter (diameter 0.30 m) upon the kinematics of basketball free-throws. Ten male basketball players (mean ± s; age 17.1 ± 0.4 years, height 1.85 ± 1.43 m, mass 79.0 ± 5.3 kg) performed 8 direct successful free throws; 4 when using a standard 0.45 m diameter rim, and 4 with an 0.3 m diameter rim. Ball release parameters and joint angles at ball release were determined for each participant. The smaller rim was associated with significant increases (p < 0.0001) in ball release angle, ball release velocity, ball release height and shoulder joint angle at release. The reduced diameter rim can be advocated as a tactic for developing a higher ball release angle when training the shooting technique of young basketball players; this is likely to maximize the probability of a successful free-throw when attempted into a standard rim.

THE DISPARITY OF PERFORMANCE INDICATORS BETWEEN WINNING AND LOSING FIBA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL WORLD CUP 2018 TEAMS

International Basketball Federation (FIBA) is an association that control basketball sports worldwide. One of the events that have been created by FIBA since 1953 was the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup and the World Cup of 2018 was chosen as the sample. The main objective of this study was to identify and compare the game plan used by both winning and losing teams in FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2018. This study conducted to analyse the tactical evaluation in attacking and defending used based on the chosen performance indicators. There were 18 performance indicators involved (successful free throw, unsuccessful free throw, successful passing, unsuccessful passing, successful block, unsuccessful block, defensive rebound, offensive rebound, foul, rebound, assist, crossover, steal, inside pass, turnover, shooting 3-points and shooting 2-points). All videos (N=40) have been observed used Longomatch software to quantify the data. The reliability and validity testing outcome (R=>0.8 and the total error (%) = <10%) render the instrument reliable and the data valid. Independent T-test used to test the hypothesis and the outcome showed that seven indicators had significant differences between winning and losing. The significant indicators were successful free throw, t (76.53) = 3.58, p = 0.001, defensive rebound, t (78) = 5.78, p = 0.001, foul, t (78) = -2.63, p = 0.01, rebound, t (78) = 4.63, p = 0.001, assist, t (78) = 5.51, p = 0.001, fast break, t (78) = 3.13, p = 0.002, and finally shooting 2-points, t (78) = 5.06, p = 0.001. Other performance indicators noted to have no significant difference between both groups (p > 0.05). This study’s findings provide evidence on selected performance indicators that verify an effective strategy to gain points in match games.

Factors that Differentiate Winning and Losing in Men’s University Basketball

The objective of this study is to analyse the game-related statistics that differentiate winning and losing teams, according to the finale game scores in a men’s university basketball league. Samples were gathered from the archival data of the 2019–2020 regular season of the league. Sixteen game-related statistics were analysed: two- and three-point field-goals (both successful and unsuccessful), free-throws (both successful and unsuccessful), defensive and offensive rebounds, assists, steals, turnover, blocks, second-chance points, fast break points, fouls committed and received. The data were clustered into different game types based on the final outcome point differences: all games, balanced games (11 points and below) and unbalanced games (12 points and above). Discriminant function analysis was conducted to identify the performance indicators that classify winning and losing games. The results revealed that winning and losing in balanced games were discriminated by successful two-point field goals, unsuccessful two-point field goals, unsuccessful three-point field goals, successful free-throws, assists, steals, blocks, second-chance points, fast-break points, fouls committed, and fouls received. For unbalanced games, winning and losing were distinguished by successful two-point field goals, successful three-point field goals, successful free-throws, unsuccessful free-throws, defensive rebounds, blocks, fast-break points, and fouls received. In conclusion, offensive and defensive indices are critical to winning and losing in university-level basketball.

KINEMATIC DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PROFICIENT AND NON-PROFICIENT FREE THROW SHOOTERS – VIDEO ANALYSIS

Despite its importance and significant contribution to the final game outcome, the free throw shooting motion is greatly understudied. The purpose of this study was to examine kinematic differences between proficient and non-proficient free throw shooters and to determine which variables have the greatest impact on successful free throw shooting performance. Thirteen healthy recreationally active males volunteered to participate in this study. Each participant shot three sets of ten consecutive free throws from the regulation distance from the basket. Each set was performed under 3 minutes with 1-2-minute rest between each set. A high-definition camera recording at 30 fps captured the free throw shooting motion from a sagittal point of view. Video analysis software was used to analyze the following kinematic variables: knee angle, elbow angle, hip flexion, ankle flexion, release angle, shoulder angle, hand release height, and elbow height. The findings of this study suggest that lower elbow positioning influenced by greater knee, ankle, and hip flexion during the preparatory phase of the shooting motion may lead to improvements in free throw shooting accuracy. Moreover, greater ball release height and release angle, as previously suggested, could decrease the margin of error and enhance free throw shooting performance. By using these kinematic variables to create the discriminant function projection model, it is plausible that proficient free throw shooters can be accurately classified in 94% of cases.

Game related predictors discriminating between winning and losing teams in preliminary, second and final round of basketball world cup 2019

ABSTRACT The objective of the current study is to identify how victory or defeat is affected by the game-related statistics among men’s national teams in the Basketball World Cup 2019. The sample consisted of 76 games, during which 22 relevant indicator variables were directly recorded and analysed using “SportScout” video-analysis program. For each round, univariate analysis was used, in order to examine the differences among winning and losing teams. Linear discriminant analysis was implemented, which revealed the variables that had the greatest association with the outcome of the game. Assists were found to effectively predict the outcome of the game in the first and final round of the tournament. During the second round, the discriminant analysis showed that free-throw attempts, successful free-throws and defensive rebounds were associated with winning the game. On the contrary, 2-point field-goal attempts were negatively associated with the desired outcome. In the final round, 3-point successful shots and the scores of the 1st and 4th quarter had a positive relationship with winning the game. By analysing the tournament’s statistics, a coach can determine the trends that are noticed, evaluate the performance of his team and thus plan the corresponding strategies for the success of the game.

Game Related Statistics Discriminate National and Foreign Players According to Playing Position and Team Ability in the Women's Basketball EuroLeague.

The aim of the present study was to examine the differences in game-related statistics between national and foreign female basketball players in the Women’s EuroLeague, according to playing positions and team ability. The official box-scores of 112 games from the 2016–2017 season of the Women’s EuroLeague (FIBA) were examined. Players were categorised based upon country of nationality versus competition (i.e., foreign or national), playing positions (i.e., Guards, Forwards, Centers), and team ability (i.e., four groups using a cluster of k-means analysis according to the winning percentage of each team during the competition). A structural coefficient (SC) above |0.30| was used to identify the variables that best differentiated the national and foreign players. Results showed that foreign players had a better performance according to team ability and playing position for most of the performance indicators, with higher values for minutes played, percentage of successful 2-point field-goals, percentage of successful free-throws, and percentage of assists. Moreover, foreign players performed better in variables associated with offensive situations, while national players were prevailing with indicators associated with defensive actions. These results have highlighted the unique contributions of foreign and national players, based upon playing position and team ability, to team success in the Euroleague. This information will assist the recruitment process of national and foreign athletes for coaches to develop successful elite female basketball teams.

THE EFFECT OF PRACTICING WITH A REDUCED DIAMETER RIM ON THE EFFICIENCY OF FREE THROWS WITH YOUNG BASKETBALL PLAYERS

Even though free throws account for approximately 20% of all points in a basketball game, practicing free throws is often not given enough attention. We analyse the efficiency of practicing free throws with a reduced diameter rim to monitor the changes of successful free throws and the changes of the angle of ball entry. Our sample included 57 top young basketball players, aged 15 to 18. After the experimental programme of practicing free throws, the efficiency of the free throws did not increase (neither during testing nor during competition) and neither did the angle of ball entry. The angle of entry with a standard and a reduced diameter rim are strongly correlated (r = 0.86) – most players retain their own shooting trajectory, regardless of the diameter of the rim. It seems that using a reduced diameter rim by itself, without instruction, does not lead to an increase of the angle of entry.

Visual Fixation in NBA Free-Throws and the Relationship to On-Court Performance

Purpose
 Although hitting a baseball is often described as the most difficult task in all of sports, shooting baskets during a game likely ranks a close second. Previous studies have described the role of vision in basketball and more specifically a concept termed the “quiet eye” has been shown to be related to basketball performance. How a shooter visualizes the target, how consistent their visual fixation is, and how long they maintain that fixation has been correlated to shooting success. Although the majority of previous reports have included non-professional basketball shooters, we evaluated NBA (National Basketball Association) players to determine if this skill was significant at the professional level.
 Materials and Methods
 We evaluated 16 professional NBA players prior to the 2018-2019 NBA season. All players shot 30 consecutive free-throws while wearing Tobii Pro eye-tracking glasses. Following the completion of the task, several metrics were calculated including shooting success rate, as well as four measures of the position and duration of ocular fixation just prior to, during, and immediately after ball release for each shot of each player. Additionally, player performance statistics from the 2018-2019 season were recorded and compared to the visual fixation data. Descriptive statistics as well as correlations between the visual fixation metrics and on-court performance metrics were calculated.
 Results
 NBA shooters averaged a 79% success rate in free throw shooting (SD = 14%, min = 56%, max=100%) during the study. Moderate statistically significant correlations were found between the percentage of successful free throws and the four measures of visual fixation (r=0.539 to 0.687). In addition, visual fixation measures were found to be corelated with on-court metrics suggesting that shooters who had more frequent, as well as longer, fixations on the rim where more likely to have lower USG%, and ORB% as well as higher FG3%. The percentage of successful shots in the study was compared to the on-court FT% and found to be moderately correlated (r=0.536).
 Conclusions
 The need to maintain ocular fixation on the rim as one shoots seems elementary, but in fact varies greatly among NBA players, as noted in these results. Our data suggests that players who visually fixate longer and more frequently on the rim are more likely to be successful in free throws, as well as more successful in 3-point goals. Likely due to their likely distance from the basket, they do not make as many offensive rebounds. This data set appears to describe basketball guards in contrast to forwards/centers and supports previous research on non-professional basketball players.

A New Dataset method for Biomechanical Training Model of the Free Throws Shots in Basketball Using Image Processing Technique

This work provides a new dataset method intended to build a biomechanical training model for the free-throws shots in basketball. Eight youth players from Jordanian secondary public school were video recorded from the sagittal plane executing free throw shots in basketball. Collectively (480) video clips were recorded and analyzed using image processing techniques to identify the ball track. Video processing involves extracting (11) different parameters that may affect the free throw in basketball game after detecting the ball trajectory. Creation of this dataset and its subsequent use for extracting free-throws information yielded several insights. First, a set of most important features were identified as those affecting the free-throws score in basketball. Second, our data set can be trained and tested using machine learning classifiers for building a new biomechanical training model based on set of rules that can be useful for both trainers and trainee to rehearse on successful free-throws in basketball. The dataset is being made publicly available at www.ju.edu.jo.

Basketball Game-Related Statistics that Discriminate among Continental Championships for Under-18 Women.

The purposes of this study were (a) to evaluate differences in basketball game-related statistics among continental championships for under-18 (U18) women, and (b) to identify game-related statistics that discriminate among the continents. The analysis was performed on all matches (n = 136) in the four continental championships (Africa, America, Asia, Europe) of 2016. Differences in game-related statistics among the continents were analyzed by an analysis of variance (ANOVA) with effect size statistics. Game-related statistics that discriminate among the continents were assessed by discriminant analysis. The ANOVA yielded significant F-values for 13 of 16 variables and large effect size differences for 10 of 16 variables. The discriminant analysis yielded three significant functions. The Asian championship was discriminated from the other continental championships by ball possessions, defensive rebounds, assists, and fouls. The African championship was discriminated from the European championship by ball possessions, successful 3-point field goals, unsuccessful free throws, and turnovers, and from the American championship by ball possessions, unsuccessful 2-point field goals, successful 3-point field goals, successful free throws, and assists. The results of this study suggest that U18 women’s basketball games are played differently in each continent.

Indicadores de desempenho registrados em função do tempo no basquetebol brasileiro

Basketball performance analysis using technical indicators dissociated from the moment they occurred in the game seems to no longer respond to emerging issues of the game as it does not identify the periods when a team’s offensive efficiency has increased or decreased. The aim was to characterize and compare the technical indicators in the positive and negative periods and in the whole game of winning and losing teams in men’s professional basketball. Fourteen games of professional men’s teams of the “Novo Basquete Brasil” Championship in the regular 2011/2012 season were filmed and analyzed. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to verify data normality. The independent T test was used for variables with normal distribution and the Mann-Whitney test for variables that did not present normal distribution, in order to compare teams’ performance. Analysis in the whole game showed that winning teams had significantly higher averages in successful 3-point field goals but in the positive periods, they showed higher averages for successful free throws, successful layups, defensive rebounds and defensive fouls, and in negative periods, losing teams made more defensive and offensive fouls. The teams’ performance in the whole game may not elucidate the determinant indicators for building the difference in the scoreboard. It is suggested that coaches should identify the periods of best and worst teams’ performance in the game and the indicators involved, preparing teams to overcome the negative periods and obtain more positive periods in the game.

A New Learning Control System for Basketball Free Throws Based on Real Time Video Image Processing and Biofeedback

Shooting free throws plays an important role in basketball. The major problem in performing a correct free throw seems to be inappropriate training. Training is performed offline and it is often not that persistent. The aim of this paper is to consciously modify and control the free throw using biofeedback. Elbow and shoulder dynamics are calculated by an image processing technique equipped with a video image acquisition system. The proposed setup in this paper, named learning control system, is able to quantify and provide feedback of the above parameters in real time as audio signals. Therefore, it yielded to performing a correct learning and conscious control of shooting. Experimental results showed improvements in the free throw shooting style including shot pocket and locked position. The mean values of elbow and shoulder angles were controlled approximately on 89o and 26o, for shot pocket and also these angles were tuned approximately on 180o and 47o respectively for the locked position (closed to the desired pattern of the free throw based on valid FIBA references). Not only the mean values enhanced but also the standard deviations of these angles decreased meaningfully, which shows shooting style convergence and uniformity. Also, in training conditions, the average percentage of making successful free throws increased from about 64% to even 87% after using this setup and in competition conditions the average percentage of successful free throws enhanced about 20%, although using the learning control system may not be the only reason for these outcomes. The proposed system is easy to use, inexpensive, portable and real time applicable.

Age and sex differences in game-related statistics which discriminate winners from losers in elite basketball games

Abstract AIMS To advance knowledge of long-term development of basketball players, this study investigated age and sex differences in game-related statistics which discriminate winners from losers in World Basketball Championships held after the 2010 rule change. METHODS A total of 935 games from six categories (under-17, under-19 and open age for both men and women) were analyzed. All games were classified into three types (balanced, unbalanced and very unbalanced) according to point differential by a k-means cluster analysis. A discriminant analysis was performed to identify game-related statistics which discriminate winners from losers in each game type. An absolute value of a structural coefficient (SC) equal to or above 0.30 was considered relevant for the discrimination. RESULTS In balanced games, assists discriminated winners from losers in open games (men, |SC| = 0.32; women, |SC| = 0.34), whereas successful free throws did so in under-17 games (men, |SC| = 0.30; women, |SC| = 0.31). Successful 2-point field goals discriminated winners from losers only in women’s games (under-19, |SC| = 0.38; open, |SC| = 0.36). CONCLUSION There were three novel findings in balanced games: 1) successful free throws but not assists discriminated winners from losers in under-17 games; 2) successful 2-point field goals discriminated winners from losers in women’s games but not in men’s games; and 3) discriminating power of successful 3-point field goals was extremely small in women’s games. These results may be related to the new rules for the shot clock and the 3-point distance.

Relationship between physical fitness and game-related statistics in elite professional basketball players: Regular season vs. playoffs

Abstract AIMS This study aimed to verify th erelation ship between of anthropometric and physical performance variables with game-related statistics in professional elite basketball players during a competition. METHODS Eleven male basketball players were evaluated during 10 weeks in two distinct moments (regular season and playoffs). Overall, 11 variables of physical fitness and 13 variables of game-related statistics were analysed. RESULTS The following significant Pearson’scorrelations were found in regular season: percentage of fat mass with assists (r = -0.62) and steals (r = -0.63); height (r = 0.68), lean mass (r = 0.64), and maximum strength (r = 0.67) with blocks; squat jump with steals (r = 0.63); and time in the T-test with success ful two-point field-goals (r = -0.65), success ful free-throws (r = -0.61), and steals (r = -0.62). However, in playoffs, only stature and lean mass maintained these correlations (p ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The anthropometric and physical characteristics of the players showed few correlations with the game-related statistics in regular season, and these correlations are even lower in the playoff games of a professional elite Champion ship, wherefore, not being good predictors of technical performance.

The use of classification and regression tree when classifying winning and losing basketball teams

<div>The aim of the present study was to identify the best predictors when classifying winning and losing teams in basketball in consideration of situational variables using the classification and regression tree (CRT) non-parametric analysis. The sample was composed of 1,404 balanced games (score-differences: 1-14 points) from the Spanish EBA Basketball League that presented high heterogeneity and a non-parametric distribution. These games were split into faster- and slower-paced games according to ball possessions per game (using a cluster k-means). The CRT analysis was used to predict which game-related variable/s better classified winning and losing teams during slower- and faster-paced games. In total, this approach explained 72% of the total variance in the slower- and 69.3% in the faster-paced games. The results identified importance of defensive-rebounds (100%), successful free-throws (94.7%), assists (86.1%), and fouls committed (55.9%) for the classification of winning and losing teams in the fast-paced games. Conversely, in the slow-paced games the better classification of winning or losing teams was accomplished by the following variables: successful free-throws (100%), defensive-rebounds (82.3%), fouls committed (68.4%), assists (66.9%), successful 2-point (62.2%) and 3-point field-goals (61.6%). The influence of situational variables was identified only for team quality in the slow-paced games. The present findings allow coaches for a better control of games and competition.</div>

Performance analysis of elite women’s wheelchair basketball players according to team-strength, playing-time and players’ classification

The aim of the study was to analyze the game-related statistics that best differentiate the performance of women’s wheelchair basketball players according to team strength, playing time and players’ classification. Thirty-three games from the World Wheelchair Basketball Championships (2010) were analyzed for this purpose. The official game-related statistics were studied (FIBA box-scores). Team strength (stronger and weaker teams), playing time (important and less important players), and player class (1, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, and 4.5 classes) were used as independent variables. The results from MANOVA showed greater differences between low and high point players for most of the game-related statistics. The stronger teams had better values in assists, turnovers, fouls received and successful free-throws. Playing time was significant for all the game-related statistics with the exception of blocks and successful 3-point field-goals. The main interactive effects were identified between team strength and class for defensive rebounds, assists, successful 2-points field-goals, and unsuccessful 3-point field-goals; between class and playing time for defensive rebounds, blocks, fouls on, successful free-throws and unsuccessful 2-point field-goals; between team strength and playing time only for steals; and between class, team strength and playing time for defensive rebounds and unsuccessful 3-point field-goal attempt.

An Optimal Basketball Free Throw

SummaryA basketball player attempting a free throw has two parameters under his or her control: the angle of elevation and the force with which the ball is thrown. We compute upper and lower bounds for the initial velocity for suitable values of the angle of elevation, generating a subset of the configuration space of all successful free throws. A computer-assisted search of this configuration space yields a free throw shot most forgiving of error hence optimal.

Effects of a shoot training programme with a reduced hoop diameter rim on free-throw performance and kinematics in young basketball players

The present paper investigated the effects of a shoot training programme with a reduced hoop diameter (0.35 m) rim on kinematics and performance of basketball free-throws. Eighteen young male basketball players were divided into control (CG, n = 9) and experimental (EG, n = 9) groups. Both groups undertook a 10-week training programme comprising two training sessions per week. Under fatigued conditions, each participant shot 150 free-throws in each training session, with the CG using a standard rim, and the EG a smaller rim. All other training was identical between groups. Ball release parameters, player's kinematics and mean of successful free-throws (out of 150 attempts) were determined for each participant, before and after completion of the training programme. Following training, a significant increase (P < 0.05) in ball release angle, speed and height and in shoulder joint angle at release (P < 0.01) was observed for the EG. Both the CG (P < 0.001) and the EG (P < 0.0001) showed an increase in the number of successful free throws, although the increase was greater (P < 0.05) for the EG (22.7 ± 6.4 free throws) than for the CG (14.6 ± 7.8 free throws). We conclude that training with a reduced rim significantly improves free-throw performance in young basketball players.

Kinematic Adjustments in the Basketball Free Throw Performed with a Reduced Hoop Diameter Rim

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of free throw shooting with a reduced diameter rim (diameter 0.35 m) upon the kinematics of basketball free throws. Ten basketball players (mean ± SD age 17.1 ± 0.7 years, height 1.85 ± 0.23 m, body mass 78.8 ± 5.8 kg) performed 8 “clean” successful free throws; 4 in a standard rim (diameter = 0.45 m), and 4 in a reduced diameter rim (diameter = 0.35 m). Ball release angle, ball release speed, ball release height and angles at release in elbow, shoulder, trunk, knee and ankle joints were determined for each subject. Statistical analysis showed significant increases in ball release angle, in ball release speed, in shoulder joint angle at release ( p &lt; 0.0001) and in ball release height ( p &lt; 0.01) when shooting in a reduced diameter rim. There were no other significant differences ( p &gt; 0.05) in any other determined parameter between the standard and reduced rim conditions. The increase of the minimum entry angle of the ball through the rim, caused by the 0.10 m reduction in diameter of the standard rim, resulted in subjects performing clean successful free throws with higher release angles and consequently with higher release speeds. The reduced hoop diameter rim can be used as an aid in training of young basketball players. Specifically, this constraint may act to increase ball release angle in basketball players with low percentage of successful free throws and when the principal cause of decreased free throws accuracy is due to a shot technique with low release angle.

Competitive anxiety intensity and interpretation: A two-study investigation into their relationship with performance

Two experimental studies are reported investigating the relationship between competitive anxiety intensity and interpretation and performance within the sports of rugby union and basketball. Study 1 employed video recall procedures and the Immediate Anxiety Measurement Scale (IAMS) to assist an elite and non-elite rugby union performer recall their anxiety symptoms prior to lineout throw-ins at different levels of situation criticality. Examination of the relationship between anxiety intensity, interpretation, and performance as a function of skill level and situation criticality revealed that anxiety interpretation was a stronger predictor of performance than anxiety intensity. In addition, anxiety intensity increased, interpretations became more debilitative, and performance decreased as the situation became more critical, and anxiety intensity was lower and interpreted as more facilitative toward upcoming performance by the elite rugby union player, which coincided with better lineout performance. Study 2 measured the free-throw performance of competitive basketball players during simulated basketball matches, with anxiety responses assessed in relation to these free-throws at half time and full time. Anxiety, measured through the IAMS, was interpreted as more facilitative prior to successful free-throws with players suggesting that these interpretations were due to high levels of self-confidence that was associated with an increase in focus. Implications of the findings of both of these studies for future research and practice are provided.