Kinematic analysis of the basketball jump shot with increasing shooting distance: comparison between experienced and non-experienced players

Basketball jump shot success is determined mainly by the height, velocity and angle of ball release. To achieve a successful shot, these variables need to be adjusted according to the player's position on the court. This study aimed to identify the changes in kinematics variables of the basketball jump shot with an increasing shooting distance performed by players with varying skill levels. Seventeen male subjects, divided into experienced (N = 9), and non-experienced (N = 8) players, performed three successful jump shots from the free-throw line (4.23 m) and the 3-point line (6.75 m). All attempts were recorded at 120 Hz with a camera perpendicularly to the sagittal plane, and the kinematics variables were calculated using Tracker software. The increase in shooting distance shows a decrease in height and angle of ball release. In contrast, the velocity of ball release increased for both groups at longer distances. Experienced players presented a higher mean value of the height of ball release in both distances, which allowed for a lower velocity of ball release. The most meaningful improvement for players training the jump shot technique is to increase the release height of the ball, jumping higher and shooting the ball near the peak of the jump.