Who is more accurate on free throws? Tall or short people. By: Nick Schissler

Introduction Basketball is a game I enjoy and feel that smaller players have an advantage over taller players when shooting free throws. I predict that shorter players will shoot more accurately.

Problem Does height have an advantage on the shooting percentage of a basketball player?

Hypothesis I predict the short players would be more accurate on their free throw shooting percentage. Their shooting range is longer because they play the guard position.

Background Information The release height of the basketball shot is largely determined by the height of the player shooting. A study by Professor John Fontanella shows the ideal angles from the free throw line are as follows: 5'4" player should launch the ball at a 52.2 degree angle 5'8" player should launch the ball at a 51.5 degree angle 6'0" player should launch the ball at a 50.8 degree angle 6'4" player should launch the ball at a 50.1 degree angle 6'8" player should launch the ball at a 49.4 degree angle *The best free throw shooters in the NBA routinely make over 90% of their free throws *The free throw is an aspect of your basketball game that you can potentially get close to perfecting with consistent practice, as the shot is based on balance and muscle memory. *In order to become a great shooter, you have to learn to control your thinking.

Materials Basketball People Pencil/Pen Basketball Goal Basketball Court

Procedure 1.Get a 28.5 size basketball 2.Get 5 short and 5 tall students 3.Have them shoot 10 free throws each 4.Record results

Testing Procedure When ten players were tested using the same court, same ball, and same distance; I was able to get a percentage of their accuracy. I divided the players into groups of 5; 5 players that were taller than 5'6" and 5 players that were shorter than 5'6". I explained to each of them the rules and asked to try their best shooting skills. They were given ten tried from the free throw line and data was recorded for shots made and shots missed.

Variables Independant- Height of the shooter Controlled- same court, same ball, same distance Dependant-the results

People Tall People Steven Chrys Bryan Chase Zane Short People Emma Tarra Erik Caleb H Caleb M

Results Taller Players Bryan: made 8, missed 2, 80% Chase: made 5, missed 5, 50% Chrys: made 3, missed 7, 30% Steven: made 6, missed 4, 60% Zane: made 4, missed 6, 40%

Results Shorter Players Caleb H: made 10, missed 0, 100% Caleb M: made 3, missed 7, 30% Emma L: made 6, missed 4, 60% Erik: made 1, missed 9, 10% Tarra: made 1, missed 9, 10%

Major Observation I observed the shorter shooters would put more power into their shots than the taller players. I felt some of them were nervous during the test when I was observing them. Some held the ball differently than others and some of them jumped during the shot. Their pre-shot habit was different such as some dribbling prior to shooting.

Conclusion The results were totaled with the taller group making 26/50 (52%) of shots and the shorter group making 21/50 (42%). My prediction was incorrect in this test with the taller players having 10% more accuracy. With the young players and limited amount of skills, this test could vary each time it is done.