UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES DILIMAN

"Analyzing Ray Allen's Jump Shot: A Comparative Study with Jo Lowel Baggay's

Technique"

Biomechanical Analysis Paper

BAGGAY, Jo Lowel Chrisitan D.

GALLENO, Feix Christian L., De

DEL ROSARIO, Dominic A.

SS151: Biomechanics 1

Dr. Adjani Aguilar

June 26, 2023

 Table of Contents

I. INTRODUCTION

II. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

III. METHODOLOGY

IV. COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

V. CONCLUSION/RECOMMENDATION

VI. REFERENCES
 I

INTRODUCTION

A jump shot is one of the most fundamental skills in basketball. It is a technique

used to score points by jumping and shooting the ball into the opponent’s basket. The

jump shot is often executed by an offensive player in mid-air, combining a vertical jump

and a shooting action to send the ball towards the basket. A jump shot is one of the most

effective ways to score in basketball because it has the advantage of allowing an

attacking player to gather additional strength and power to shoot a ball from a jumping or

taller opponent (Coaches Education Platform, n.d.). It is a versatile technique that can be

used by all players of different positions on the court, from guards to forwards.

The mechanics of a jump shot involves several key components: At first, the

player begins with their knees bent and the ball in front of their forehead, with their feet

and elbows pointing at the basket. Secondly, if the player is right-handed, place the right

hand under the ball and the left hand on the side of the ball. Do the opposite if you are

left-handed. Thirdly, jump vertically and do not go forward or backward. Fourthly, your

arm at the height of the jump. Snap the wrist and extend the arm at the height of the

jump. This will cause the ball to rise toward the basket. The higher the shot, the better it

is. Lastly, finish the follow-through on your shot and land in the same spot. Be ready for

the next play (Bbuckley, 2015).

Photo obtained from https://untoldnbastories.com

The effectiveness of jump shots require constant practice, precise technique, and a

strong shooting form. World-class basketball players, such as Ray Allen, honed their

shooting abilities through repetition and rigorous drill to improve their accuracy and

master the timing and synchronization of their jumps. One way to improve the

effectiveness and efficiency of a jump shot is by increasing the distance of shooting. It

has been shown in the literature that longer shots demand greater accuracy because the

horizontal target decreases as shooting distance increases (Elliott, 1992; Okazaki et al.,

2004). As a result, increased shot distance corresponds to a greater spatial accuracy

constraint that the player must master. Furthermore, as the shot distance increases, the

force requirements change and the player must account for this task constraint (Okazaki

and Rodacki, 2012). The details of this literature review will be further detailed below.
 The origins of the basketball jump shot is

currently being debated. During the early days of

basketball, in the late 19th century, players usually used

two-handed set shots with both feet on the ground.

During this period, the early rules of basketball did not

include the jump shot (Mokray et al., 2023). The

emergence of a one-handed shot began in the 1930s.

Angelo Enrico Luisetti, also known as Hank Luisetti, was

the first American collegiate basketball player to introduce the one-handed shot, which

revolutionized the sport (Britannica, 2023). However, this is not the first recorded jump

shot in basketball history. Because he kept his feet on the ground, Luietti's one-handed

shot is not entirely a jump shot. Moving on, the first recorded jump shot in basketball

history occurred in the early 1940s. Kenny Sailors is the

true inventor and pioneer of the jump shot, which has

revolutionized the sport up until this modern era of

basketball (Given, 2016b). Kenny Sailors was playing for

the University of Wyoming in the early 1940s when the

jump shot was first introduced. Kenny Sailors

demonstrated the jump shot, which involved leaving the

ground on both feet, leaping forward, and releasing the

ball at the height of the jump. The jump shot used by

Sailors was a huge departure from prior shooting

techniques, and it revolutionized the game.

 II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

This chapter contains the review of related literature and the review of related studies to

further understand, explain, and support the details of the analysis.

According to Devgan (2010), Ray Allen exemplifies exceptional shooting mechanics by

demonstrating a near-flawless jump shot that exhibits that of a person in a “phone- booth”. The

shot entails a vertical leap followed by a controlled descent, resembling the motion of standing

upright within the confined space of a phone booth.

According to ESPN (2011), an essential element in Ray Allen's shooting technique is the

precise launch angle, consistently measured at 50 degrees. It is worth noting that the optimal

launch angle in the National Basketball Association (NBA) is around 48 degrees. Furthermore,

the ball is released 9ft off the ground. Allen's shooting form involves releasing the ball parallel to

the rim, aiming to minimize the distance between the ball and the hoop. This reduced distance

between the two points provides a larger margin of error, thereby increasing the probability of

successful shots.

A study conducted by Okazaki, V.H., & Rodacki, A.L. (2012), to determine the

biomechanics of a long distance shot, reflective markers were used to track the shooting

movements of the players in two dimensions. Participants were instructed not to use the

backboard, and the percentage of successful shots was recorded to determine shooting accuracy.

The players' positions varied along the court at distances of 2.8m, 4.8m, and 6.8m from the

3.05m goal. Kinematic characteristics of the movement were analyzed using a standard 2D
analysis. A digital camcorder positioned 8 meters from the dominant side of the participants

recorded the movements at a rate of 100Hz. A rectangular plane was placed on the movement

plane to regulate the kinematic data. The movement was recorded from the moment the

participants started lifting the ball, capturing the elbow flexion. Landmarks were manually

digitized using Reality Motion Systems from a specified foreign country, and the center of the

ball was digitized. Several parameters were analyzed to understand the jump shot technique.

Joint angular displacement and velocities, joint range of motion, joint angles at ball release, and

duration of the movement were measured. The displacement and velocity of the center of mass,

both horizontally and vertically, were also examined. The center of mass displacement was

closely related to the hip joint marker displacement, and measurements such as maximum

displacement, displacement at ball release, maximum velocity, and initial velocity upon ball

release were collated. The study found that as the shooting distance increased, adjustments were

made in the shooting technique to maintain accuracy and generate sufficient impulse for the shot.

Shots from farther distances had lower release heights and higher velocities, resulting in

decreased accuracy. Shoulder flexion and release angle also decreased with longer shooting

distances. Furthermore, the study revealed variations in movement parameters at the moment of

ball release among players. These variations followed a proximal-to-distal pattern, indicating

individualized movement adjustments to optimize accuracy. The findings highlighted the

trade-off between speed and accuracy, as the increased release velocity associated with longer

shooting distances negatively impacted shot accuracy. The study showed that greater shooting

distances led to decreased shot accuracy. This decrease was attributed to spatial constraints and

adjustments in height, angle, and velocity that constituted inconsistent shot motions influenced

by players' unique shooting styles and strategies to balance impulse generation with accuracy.
 As stated by Miller, S., & Bartlett, R. (1996). Shooting from long distances would

decrease the angle at which it is launched. Utilizing a Three- dimensional cinematography to

measure the distance between kinematics of shooting and distance of fifteen subjects divided into

guards, forwards, and centers; releasing the ball at an angle of 52- 55 degrees tends to provide a

steep angle of entry into the basket. Longer distances ranging from 48 - 50 degrees tend to have

quicker release speed due to an increase in angular velocity of the shoulder flexion and elbow

extension as well as an increase in the center of mass towards the direction of the basket.

III

METHODOLOGY

The aim of the analytical paper is to compare the jump shot of a professional basketball

player, Ray Allen, to the jump shot of an amateur player, Jo Lowel Baggay, from a

biomechanical perspective. Ray Allen, who is renowned for his great jump shot and high field

goal percentage from outside the paint, will be compared with an amateur player whose position

in basketball and shooting technique are similar to the professional player. The researchers

identify the key biomechanical variables that contribute to an effective jump shot and compare

the findings using qualitative analysis. These may include joint angles, hand placement, timing,

force production, apex, backspin, and energy transfer.

The researchers recorded the jump shots made by Jo Lowel Baggay utilizing a mobile

phone with high video quality features (720p). Video footage analyzed by ESPN were exploited

to identify Ray Allen’s shooting mechanics. The motions from a variety of perspectives (front,
side, and back) were recorded to get a complete picture of the biomechanical movements

involved. Researchers analyzed the video footage frame by frame, paying attention to particular

jump shot stages (such as stance, jump, release, and follow-through). observing how the

professional and amateur players differ from one another in terms of technique, body alignment,

joint movements, and overall execution.

IV

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

The goal of this analysis is to compare the biomechanical movements of Ray Allen’s

jump shot to an amateur player, Jo Lowel Baggay using a side- by- side comparison. The

researchers aim to know the differences in foot and hand placement, body alignment, joint

movements, and overall execution. They conducted 12 trials observed from anterior, posterior,

and lateral perspectives. Ray Allen’s analysis is based on resources gathered by the researchers.

The overall analysis is derived from the concepts discussed in Biomechanics 1.

As stated by Devgan (2010), Ray Allen’s jump shot possesses similarities to that of a

person in a “phone- booth”. The shooting motion involves a vertical jump followed by a

controlled descent, simulating the action of standing upright within the limited space of a phone

booth.
 Figure 4.1: Analysis of foot placement and body position

Obtained from https://www.espn.com/

A comparison between the two images using the criteria stated above, prior to the ball

release, the difference between foot placement can be observed significantly. Jo Lowel Baggay’s

foot placement moves a couple of inches in the sagittal plane and a few centimeters wide. Ray

Allen’s foot placement is almost parallel to the ground, relying on the balance between his feet

for elevation and the momentum of the ball to generate elbow flexion. The body position of Ray

Allen is similar to a person standing upright in a confined space of a phone- booth (Devgan,
2010). On the other hand, Baggay occupies more space from his initial position; planting his

pivot foot first and moving his lead foot afterwards to prepare the body to generate more force.

Figure 4.2: Set Point

Obtained from: https://www.nba.com/

Obtained from: https://thesportsdaily.com/

Maximizing the force accumulated from his jump, the ball is released at the Apex of his

jump shot; launched at an angle of 50 degrees and 9ft off the ground parallel to the ring to initiate

the shortest distance (ESPN, 2011). Prior to release, the ball is placed at the center initiating

internal rotation of the lead hand and forearm in Allen’s jump shot. Additionally, the shoulders

are not parallel with his lead hand initiating a clear vision of the basket. Baggay’s jump shot is

situated towards his right side parallel to his shoulders allowing more vision to his left eye.

Allen’s distance between his forehead and the ball is far greater which signifies the kind of elbow
flexion generated. The gap between Baggay’s forehead and the ball is much smaller which states

that the elbow is flexed less than 90 degrees.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

Conclusion

When compared to Jo Lowel Baggay who is an amateur player, Ray Allen, who is

well-known for his superb shooting technique, exhibits greater biomechanical efficiency and

fluidity in his jump shot. From a biomechanical perspective, several significant distinctions and

potential areas for development between Ray Allen's jump shot and an amateur jump shot have

been noted.

The two jump shots were examined, and it became clear that Ray Allen showed better

footwork, body alignment, and timing throughout the shooting action. His joint angles showed

ideal ranges of motion, especially at the ankles, knees, hips, and shoulders, which improved

power transmission and shot accuracy. Furthermore, Ray Allen's follow-through and release

were always coordinated and fluid.

Allen's shooting mechanics are as fundamentally sound as they can get. The keys to his

pure shooting lie in pulling off a "phone-booth shot". Jumping straight up and landing straight

down as if in a phone booth (Devgan, 2010).

It takes time, patience, and lots of practice to become a proficient jump shooter. The

biomechanical components of Ray Allen's jump shot can be studied and imitated to help you

develop a more effective shooting technique. Maintain a consistent practice schedule and ask for

comments frequently to gradually improve your jump shot.

Recommendation

For future researchers and students taking courses in biomechanics, the

researchers recommend the following:

● Employ diverse statistical tools to more accurately measure and analyze the disparities

between professional and amateur shooters.

● Utilize biomechanical equipment to track and analyze the shooting motion of players,

providing detailed insights into their technique and form.

● Employ tools and applications capable of measuring the shooter's angle and calculating

the trajectory of their shots, offering valuable information for assessing shooting

performance.

● Conduct comparative analysis of shooters positioned at the center of the court along the

3-point line (7.24m) allowing for a comprehensive evaluation of shooting proficiency in a

standardized setting.
 VI

REFERENCES

Basketball Teaching. (2011). Sport Science：Ray Allen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8wqUXg88gg

Bbuckley. (2015). How to Shoot a Jump Shot - NBA.com: Jr. NBA. NBA.com: Jr. NBA.

https://jr.nba.com/how-to-shoot-a-jump-shot/

Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2023). Hank Luisetti. Encyclopedia Britannica.

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Hank-Luisetti

Coaches Education Platform. (n.d.). World Association of Basketball Coaches.

https://wabc.fiba.com/manual/level-1/l1-player/l1-2-offensive-basketball-skills/2-7-shooti

ng/2-7-7-basic-shooting-jump-shot/

Devgan, R. (2017). The Genius Of a Ray Allen Jump Shot: From Hero To Zero. Bleacher

Report.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/403405-the-genius-of-a-ray-allen-jump-shot-from-her

o-to-zero

Elliott, B. (1992). A kinematic comparison of the male and female two-point and three-point

jump shots in basketball. Australian Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 24(4),

111-118.

Given, K. (2016). Kenny Sailors: The Long-Forgotten Inventor Of Basketball’s Jump Shot | Only

A Game. WBUR.org.

https://www.wbur.org/onlyagame/2016/02/20/kenny-sailors-jump-shot-basketball
Miller, S., & Bartlett, R. (1996). The relationship between basketball shooting kinematics,

distance and playing position. Journal of Sports Sciences, 14(3), 243–253.

https://doi.org/10.1080/02640419608727708

Mokray, W. G., Donald, L. W., & Logan, R. G. (2023). Basketball | Definition, History, Rules,

Court, Players, & Facts. Encyclopedia Britannica.

https://www.britannica.com/sports/basketball

Okazaki, V. H. A., Rodacki, A. L. F., Sarraf, T. A., Dezan, V. H., & Okazaki, F. H. (2004).

Technical specificity diagnostic of the basketball players. Brazilian Journal of Movement

and Science, 12(4), 17-24.

Okazaki, V. H., & Rodacki, A. L. (2012). Increased distance of shooting on basketball jump shot.

Journal of sports science & medicine, 11(2), 231–237.

Devgan, R. (2010, June 9). The Genius Of a Ray Allen Jump Shot: From Hero To Zero. The

Genius of a Ray Allen Jump Shot: From Hero to Zero | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats,

and Rumors | Bleacher Report.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/403405-the-genius-of-a-ray-allen-jump-shot-from-her

o-to-zero