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

Kinetics. Champaign, IL.

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-

a.pdf

O’Connell, Patrick M.D. Common Basketball Injuries: Keep Your Guard Up!. Hughston Health Allert.

Virginia Beach, VA. http://www.hughston.com/hha/a.basket.htm