What are the optimal biomechanics of a basketball jump shot?
Damian Lillard taking the buzzer-beating jump shot against the Rockets in the 2014 NBA Playoffs.
INTRODUCTION The game of basketball was invented in 1891, by Dr James
Naismith as a means of meeting the winter sporting demands of the Young Men’s
Christian Association (BasketballVictoria 2015). It wasn’t until over 40
years later that the basketball jump shot was invented, which now is
undoubtedly one of the most important skills in the game of basketball. It is
the primary method of scoring, and has been a significant part of the game since
its introduction by Kenny Sailors in the late 1930’s (Farnum 2013).
Kenny Sailor saw the concept of a one handed shot in his freshman year in high
school at a college match performed by Hank Luisetti, from
Denver, where he took a liking to the shot, popularised and perfected it. THE ANSWER OPTIMAL TECHNIQUE
FROM THE RESEARCHERS As
defined by Dictionary.com (2015),
optimal is ‘the most favourable or desired; optimum.’ After analysing a number of studies and videos on the basketball jump shot, the following six phases have been identified as the most important to perform a successful shot. According to these studies, this technique is the 'optimal' technique for the jump shot. Shooting Stance:
Biomechanical research has proved that it is more effective for players
to set themselves up for a jump shot with a staggered stance, rather than
squaring up to the basket. This stagger can be achieved by leading forward with
the shooting foot, and turning the torso slightly to align the shooting side of
the body with the basket. The quicker a player can set themselves for a shot,
the quicker they can perform the rest of sequence, enabling them to shoot
faster than the defence can defend the shot (Knudson 1993). Forearm position:
The second phase of the jump shot requires the shooter to align their shooting
arm with the basket, as they prepared to do in the first phase. It is recommend
that the shooting arm is lifted very close to a fully extended vertical position to release the ball. The
combination of the alignment and the vertical positioning of the shooting arm
ensures a direct ‘shooting plane’ toward the basket, increasing the shot success
(Knudson 1993, Babcock 2004).It is encouraged that the shooter aligns himself/herself with the ring in order to achieve the ‘shooting plane’.
Jerry West at the release point of his jump shot.
Release Point: Working
in conjunction with phase two to create a ‘shooting plane’, an elevated release
point reduces the distance from the basket, therefore increasing the probability
of the shot being made. The elevation is produced from the jump phase of the
shot, enabling shooters to shot the ball over the defender with reduced
difficulty. The release point of the ball should be just before the apex of the
jump, driving the momentum of the legs through the arm, wrist and ball (Knudson 1993).
Newton’s Third Law states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite
reaction; in this case, reaction is the momentum is produced as a result of the
force applied to the court while jumping (Blazevich 2013). Release Angle: Almost
every study on the basketball jump shot reiterates the importance of the
release angle for the success of the shot. This phase of the shot is the most
significant in terms of shot success. The release itself should be
predominately performed using the wrist and fingers, allowing greater control
of the velocity, angle and ball spin (Babcock 2004).
Also known as the projection angle, this factor holds significance in the total
range the ball can travel (Blazevich 2013). The total range of desired release angles
across six studies only varies by 10 degrees from lowest to highest (45 to 55
degrees), with optimum angle obtained from the results being 51 degrees (Brancazio 1981, Knudson 1993, Miller and Bartlett 1996, Huston and Grau
2003, Babcock 2004, Okubo and Hubbard 2006).
Both Ray Allen and Stephen Curry, both of who are considered to among the most technically sound shooters in the game, have mean release angles of 48 and 53 degrees
respectively (Science 2011, Science 2013). Due to the height of the
basket and the height of the players, the relative height of projection is always
negative, which results in a minimum release angle of 45 degrees to make the
shot (Blazevich 2013). Release Time: Like
most of the other phases, being able to perform at a fast pace has its advantages. A
study by (Rojas, Cepero et al. 2000) on Spanish Division One, basketball players revealed that players attempt to release the ball more
quickly in the presence of a defender. A quicker release time gives the
defender less time to defend the shot, assisting in creating a greater distance
between shooter and defender, ultimately increasing the chance of success. The
team at Sport Science (2013)
highlight the importance of Stephen Curry’s release speed as a means of beating
the defender. His release time is 0.4 seconds, as opposed to the NBA average of
0.54 seconds. Ball Control: Even with a technically sound shooting
technique, minor deviations in any direction can result in a failed shot. To
give the shooter an even greater chance of success, the ball can be manipulated
in terms of velocity and spin to help achieve this. There is no specific
velocity highlighted by these studies that is deemed the ‘optimum’, but they do
yield results in a similar range (4.6 to 6.9 metres/second) (Rojas, Cepero et al. 2000, Huston and Grau 2003). Although no specific number
is given, a slower velocity is desired in terms of shot success, which is
achieved through ball rotation. The force applied to the ball determines the
initial velocity, but this can be altered with a small adjustment on release (Blazevich 2013). By placing backspin on the basketball, the
ball’s velocity is reduced as a result, increasing the chance of a
favourable bounce (Knudson 1993, Huston and Grau 2003, Babcock 2004).
Sport Science (2011)
draws attention to Ray Allen’s ability to generate considerable backspin on the
ball increasing the amount of friction when the ball hits the ring, therefore
allowing a more favourable bounce. To grasp this concept in a practical sense, it is
recommended that players ‘flip’ their fingers under the ball to generate the
spin.
It is true that a shooter can have a style that does not
follow these phases accordingly and that shooter still experiences success on the court. These principles and
teaching points have been highlighted by a number of studies as the ‘optimal’ characteristics
of a jump shot, enabling the shooter the greatest chance to make the shot. This
does not mean that this is the only pathway for a successful shot, just the
most proven.
OPTIMAL TECHNIQUE
FROM THE PROFESIONALS
Steph Curry (left) and Ray Allen (right) are considered two of the best jump-shooters of all time.
Ray Allen and Stephen Curry are considered to be two of the
purest jump shooters in the history of the NBA. They are known for their
ability to drain crucial shots, quick releases as well as their 3-point specialty. Their
shots have been analysed and used by coaches and players as a framework to
mould their own techniques. ESPN’s Sport Science analyse both shooters
techniques and highlight the important biomechanical features that make their
shots so effective. Unsurprisingly, both players have won the NBA All-Star Weekend
3-Point Contest. RAY ALLEN
Ray Allen's shooting sequence.
Ray Allen is a two-time NBA Champion, ten-time NBA All-Star, NBAs all-time leader in 3-point shots made, and even made one of the greatest
shots in NBA Playoffs history (dubbed ‘The Shot’). Playing across three teams
over his 19-season career, he had the reputation of being able to hit
3-pointers at ease, boasting a career 3-point field goal percentage of 40% (NBA 2012).
Ray Allen after hitting a three in the 2008 NBA Finals.
Shot time: 0.73
seconds. Forearm Position: Close
to vertical. Release Angle: Allen
consistently shoots at approximately 48 degrees every shot he takes, ranging
only between 46 and 50 degrees. Release Point:
Apex of jump, enabling a release 9 feet above the court. Backspin: Allen’s
ability to flick his wrists and put backspin on the ball has given him the
upper hand for years. He is capable of generating two rotations per second on
the ball, which no only slows the ball down in the air, but increases the
chance of a favourable bounce.
STEPH CURRY
Steph Curry's shooting sequence.
Recently crowned an NBA Champion, Steph Curry is on track to
eclipse Ray Allen’s all-time 3-point record in the NBA. In only his 5th
season of the NBA, Curry passed Allen’s record for the most 3-point shots made
in a season, and has since added an NBA MVP trophy to his name. The Golden
State Warrior’s franchise leader in 3-point shots made has a career 3-point
field goal percentage of 44% after only six seasons (NBA 2015).
Steph Curry shooting over Raymond Felton in 2013.
Shooting Stance:
Curry has the incredible ability to reach speeds of around 16kms per hour and sets
his feet for shot in 0.33 seconds to prepare for the shot. Forearm Position:
Within 5 degrees of vertical Release Point:
0.6 seconds before the apex of the jump. Release Angle: Like
Allen, Curry has a very consistent shot, only varying by 5 degrees at any point
(50-55 degrees). As highlighted in the Sport Science video, when shooting at 55
degrees, it gives the ball a greater chance of making it over the defender
unscathed and increases the area in which the ball can pass through the hoop by
19% (as compared to a 45 degree angle). Release Time: 0.4
seconds. This is the fastest recorded time ever analysed by the Sport Science
team, making Curry one of the hardest shooters to defend in the NBA. To put
this speed into perspective, the average release time across the NBA is 0.54
seconds; by this time Curry’s shot is already 12 feet above the court.
Both of these shooters boast jump shot features that are in conjunction with what researchers deem to be optimal, accounting for
their incredible shooting stats and basketball accolades. Contrasting the two,
Curry takes 0.33 seconds less than Allen to get his shot off, but Allen shoots
at the height of his jump rather than on the way up, giving him a greater
chance of shooting over the defender. Other than the factors mentioned above,
the two are almost identical. HOW ELSE CAN WE USE
THIS INFORMATION?
The information in this blog serves several functions.
Its primary aim is to provide beginning and amateur basketballers with a
technically sound technique to follow. The technique presented above is not only
backed by a number of studies, but the very professionals that dominate the game
today emulate these facets to the very degree. The optimisation of technique
allows for a greater chance of success, no matter the initial skill level of
the player. The jump shot is a pivotal skill in the game, and each player is
required to be able to score if a team is going to be successful. The general
biomechanics for this skill can be transferred into netball and korfball,
increasing the practicality of this information. Being able to perform a successful jump shot, especially from 3-point range, has the opportunity to be a very effective means of scoring in a game. With the ability to score comes attention from defence, which can often be used as a tactical means to stretch defences. In a Physical Education sense, this information assists players in defining motor skills that will be used in a large variety of sports.
REFERENCES
Babcock, R. (2004). "SHOOTING FUNDAMENTALS."
Raptors Basketball.
Huston,
R. L. and C. A. Grau (2003). "Basketball shooting strategies—the free
throw, direct shot and layup." Sports Engineering6(1): 49-64.
Knudson,
D. (1993). "Biomechanics of the basketball jump shot—Six key teaching
points." Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance64(2): 67-73.
Miller,
S. and R. Bartlett (1996). "The relationship between basketball shooting
kinematics, distance and playing position." Journal of sports sciences14(3): 243-253.
