STATIC BODY POSITION PRIOR TO VERTICAL JUMP

Skill Cues: Trunk facing ring with feet slightly less than a shoulder’s width apart, and staggered with shooting foot forward and head aligned with basket (Knudson, 1993:Babcock, 2005)

The first movement phase aims to create a balanced base of support to reduce horizontal motion and produce an accurate shot (Knudson, 1993). In preparation for the vertical jump, quantitative literature (Martin, 1981: Ryan & Holt 1989) recommends aligning the body to the ring with a staggered feet stance. A staggered stance allows the player to minimalize forward and backward motion of the body in the jump (Knudson, 1993). It is critical to maintain a near vertical jump, to be able to release ball at the intended/desired angle and height. Knudson (1993) notes that highly accurate players, such as Stephen Curry, are recorded to have little horizontal motion in their vertical jumps. Shown below, Curry’s shoulder is almost perfectly in line with his back foot in each phase of the jump shot, demonstrating the little shift in horizontal motion. In addition, a staggered stance assists with maintaining side-to-side alignment of body to basket and ensures appropriate direction (Knudson, 1993).

Stephen Curry is considered one of the best three-point shooter in the NBA league, with an impressive average of 24 points per game (Point After, 2015).

PREPARATION FOR VERTICAL JUMP

Skill Cues: Knees slightly bent, ball vertically aligned with eyes and basket (Babcock, 2005)

Once a stable base of support is established, players bend their knees to prepare for the vertical jump. Little research is found for the optimal degree range in knee bend, as each player has an individual preference. Curry states that ‘as long as you have good foundation, good balance, your consistency, your accuracy goes higher’ (Atkins, 2014). By lowering the body’s centre of gravity over its base of support creates equilibrium and increases stability (Wuest & Fisette, p.194, 2012)

In the context of a jump shot, the main purpose of the vertical jump is the gain advantage over the opponent in terms of time (Hay, 1993). The speed initiating the jump is considered more important than achieving a maximum height (Hay, 1993). For the jump, Newton’s Third Law of equal and opposite reaction occurs. Whilst the player is bending at the knees, he is pushing a downward force against the ground (Blazevich, 2013) as shown in the below image. The ground reacts (Ground Reaction Force) and exerts a force against the legs, causing the body to move in an upward motion (Blazevich, 2013).

SHOOTING GRIP STATIONARY

Skill Cues: Ball rests in fingertips, shooting hand underneath ball with elbow vertically aligned with floor, other hand supports on opposite side (Babcock, 2005)

Resting the ball in the fingertips enables the fine muscles to control ball movement and motion (Hudson, 1985). This allows for greater accuracy, as the fine muscles are able to manipulate the amount of power/kinetic energy (from force summation) that is transferred onto the ball. Holding the ball in the fingertips also aids acceleration of the wrist to produce optimal backspin (Knudson, 1993). Depending on the distance from the ring, the player consciously decides the appropriate amount of force to be exerted. The non-shooting hand acts as a support, stabilizing the ball. Newton’s First Law of Inertia is evident throughout this phase. The ball will remain at rest until force/s are applied from an outside source, such as the shooting arm (Blazevich, 2013). In effect, the force applied needs to be greater to overcome the moment of inertia and put it into motion (Wuest & Fisette, 2012). The elbow should align vertically to the ground, to assist with vertical velocity in later movement phases and minimalize drag occurring when jumping (Knudson, 1993).  In addition, this alignment will also direct shoot placement (Knudson, 1993).  

BODY POSITION AIRBORNE

Skill Cues: Body erect, ball moves from chest to above head, legs straighten at peak of jump (Blazevich, 2013)

During a jump shot, players need to keep their head steady and eyes directed at the ring for a successful shot. Bishop & Hay (1979) notes that highly skilled players have the ability to ‘hang’ in the air momentarily near the peak of jump, in order to provide upper body stability. The player achieves this by extending their legs from their former bent position, just after leaving ground contact (Magias, 2015). At this point, legs should be rapidly straightened to assist with maintaining and conversing momentum in a vertical direction (Newton’s Third Law) (Magias, 2015). Under the influence of gravity, the player’s centre of mass is moving in a downward direction, but relative to it, the upper body is moving upwards (Blazevich, 2013). In effect, the centre of mass temporality ‘hang’ in the air which can assist with accurate shot placement (Bishop & Hay, 1979). Shown below, the head, eyes and centre of mass are able to remain in the same position throughout the execution of the shot (Blazevich, 2013).

HEIGHT OF BALL RELEASE

Skill Cues: Sequential timing of shooting action, ball release just prior to peak of jump, shoulder flexion prior to release (Knudson, 1993)

Ample literature supports the strong positive relationship between maximising height of the release and increased shot accuracy (Brancazio 1981: Hay, 1985). Knudson (1993) states that ‘an optimalised height of release decreases the distance the ball must travel, decreases the ball velocity needed to execute the shot and will provide a more favourable angle of entry’ (p.68). 

Summation of forces and the push like movement of the jump shot allows for a fluid and powerful shooting action. Vertical velocity is powered by the acceleration of gross muscles (legs), which extends into fine muscles through the sequential chain of movements (Miller & Bartlett, 1996).  A smooth and co-operative integration of motions from the lower and upper extremities is critical for accelerating the ball (Knudson, 1993). Kinetic energy is transferred from the fingertips into the ball, creating the acceleration behind the curvilinear trajectory.  Studies report that ball release, which occurs just prior to the peak, is desirable as the vertical velocity of the body is near zero (Martin, 1981; Elliot & White 1989).

A greater shoulder flexion of the shooting arm is also associated with increased shot accuracy (Knudson, 1993). This potentially contributes to the height of release and should be considered for longer-range shots. Players should be encouraged to extend their shooting arm upwards.