1. Biomechanics of the Jump Shot
Kelvin Wang
BIOL438
April 15, 2014

2. Technique—3 Phases Preparation—balance, center of mass over support
Execution—jump and shoot, release
Follow Through—landing, balance, center of mass over support
Preparation—balance, center of mass over support
Execution—jump and shoot, release
Follow Through—landing, balance, center of mass over support
Source: The Seattle Times
Preparation Execution Follow Through

3. Technique—Muscles Used
Hip extension—hamstrings (biceps femoris, semitendinosus, semimembranosus), gluteus maximus
Fast-twitch  higher vmax, higher power, more efficient at higher velocity
Knee flexion/extension— quadriceps muscle eccentrically contracts in preparation, during jump it concentrically contracts
Slower-twitch  lower vmax, more economical, recruit more motor units
Gastrocnemius (fast-twitch) plays role
Source:

4. Technique—Muscles Used
Shoulder upward rotation— middle and lower trapezius muscles, rhomboids, deltoids
Elbow flexion/extension— eccentric contraction of triceps, then concentric to generate force
Fast-twitch fibers for greater power
Wrist extension/flexion—add spin, velocity to ball
Fast-twitch fibers
Source:
Source:

5. 3 Shots
Source:
Source: ESPN
Source: wikiHow

6. LoggerPro Analysis

7. Normal Jump Shot—Momentum
Before release, triceps extension (assume zero initial momentum):
a = ∆v/∆t = m/s2 (from LoggerPro)
F = ma = (0.62 kg)(51.39 m/s2) = N
∆t = s, so:
J = F∆t = 3.06 kg-m/s
At release:
vx,ball = 4.40 m/s vy,ball = 5.68 m/s
Total velocity = 7.18 m/s
Assume mball = 0.62 kg, then:
p = mv = (0.62 kg)(7.18 m/s) = 4.45 kg-m/s
Thus, the triceps extension motion for shooting the ball imparts 3.06 kg-m/s impulse to the ball from preparation phase to release.
Wrist flick motion gives ball extra velocity and could account for the difference in impulsemomentum.

8. Normal Jump Shot—Work and Energy
Kinetic energy = 0.5mv2
At release: KE = 0.5(0.62 kg)(7.18 m/s) 2 = J
Work = ∆Energy = J (assume E0 = 0)
From the start of triceps extension to release:
Power = Work/∆t = J/0.096 s = W

9. Pull-up Jump Shot—Momentum
Before release, triceps extension (assume zero initial momentum):
a = ∆v/∆t = m/s2 (from LoggerPro)
F = ma = (0.62 kg)(139.9 m/s2) = N
∆t = 0.04 s, so:
J = F∆t = 3.47 kg-m/s
At release:
vx,ball = 4.70 m/s vy,ball = 6.24 m/s
Total velocity = 7.81 m/s
Assume mball = 0.62 kg, then:
p = mv = (0.62 kg)(7.81 m/s) = 4.84 kg-m/s
Thus, the triceps extension motion for shooting the ball is quicker, and imparts 3.47 kg-m/s impulse to the ball from preparation phase to release.
Wrist flick motion gives ball extra velocity.

10. Pull-up Jump Shot—Work and Energy
Kinetic energy = 0.5mv2
At release: KE = 0.5(0.62 kg)(7.81 m/s) 2 = J
Work = ∆Energy = J (assume E0 = 0)
From the start of triceps extension to release:
Power = Work/∆t = J/0.04 s = W

11. Fadeaway Jump Shot—Momentum
Before release, triceps extension (assume zero initial momentum):
a = ∆v/∆t = 83.2 m/s2 (from LoggerPro)
F = ma = (0.62 kg)(83.2 m/s2) = N
∆t = 0.08 s, so:
J = F∆t = 4.13 kg-m/s
At release:
vx,ball = 3.88 m/s vy,ball = 7.02 m/s
Total velocity = 8.02 m/s
Assume mball = 0.62 kg, then:
p = mv = (0.62 kg)(8.02 m/s) = 4.97 kg-m/s
Thus, the impulse from triceps extension is similar to a normal jump shot, and imparts 4.13 kg-m/s impulse (more than normal or pull-up) to the ball from preparation phase to release.

12. Fadeaway Jump Shot—Work and Energy
Kinetic energy = 0.5mv2
At release: KE = 0.5(0.62 kg)(8.02 m/s) 2 = J
Work = ∆Energy = J (assume E0 = 0)
From the start of triceps extension to release:
Power = Work/∆t = J/0.08 s = W

13. Fadeaway jump shot gives more impulse to shot from triceps extension
Normal
Pull-up
Fadeaway
Impulse
3.05 kg-m/s
3.46 kg-m/s
4.17 kg-m/s
Momentum
4.34 kg-m/s
4.85 kg-m/s
4.96 kg-m/s
Force
31.6 N
89.2 N
52.6 N
Energy
16.03 J
19.31 J
19.83 J
Power
159.6 W
471.8 W
273.4 W
Fadeaway jump shot gives more impulse to shot from triceps extension
Higher proportion of momentum is from triceps, less from wrist flick

14. Pull-up jump shot results in more force in shooting the ball
Normal
Pull-up
Fadeaway
Impulse
3.05 kg-m/s
3.46 kg-m/s
4.17 kg-m/s
Momentum
4.34 kg-m/s
4.85 kg-m/s
4.96 kg-m/s
Force
31.6 N
89.2 N
52.6 N
Energy
16.03 J
19.31 J
19.83 J
Power
159.6 W
471.8 W
273.4 W
Pull-up jump shot results in more force in shooting the ball
Running start could have effect

15. Normal jump-shot results in least kinetic energy to the ball
Pull-up
Fadeaway
Impulse
3.05 kg-m/s
3.46 kg-m/s
4.17 kg-m/s
Momentum
4.34 kg-m/s
4.85 kg-m/s
4.96 kg-m/s
Force
31.6 N
89.2 N
52.6 N
Energy
16.03 J
19.31 J
19.83 J
Power
159.6 W
471.8 W
273.4 W
Normal jump-shot results in least kinetic energy to the ball
Pull-up: running start helps transfer momentumhigher velocity at releasehigher kinetic energy
Fadeaway: adjusting for defendershoot ball faster vertically

16. Pull-up jump shot results in most power
Normal
Pull-up
Fadeaway
Impulse
3.05 kg-m/s
3.46 kg-m/s
4.17 kg-m/s
Momentum
4.34 kg-m/s
4.85 kg-m/s
4.96 kg-m/s
Force
31.6 N
89.2 N
52.6 N
Energy
16.03 J
19.31 J
19.83 J
Power
159.6 W
471.8 W
273.4 W
Pull-up jump shot results in most power
greater energy (increase W) and shorter release time (decrease ∆t)

17. Conclusions
Fadeaway jump shot: more triceps used, faster twitch muscles to generate greater impulse
Efficient and economical, but difficult to execute
Pull-up jump shot: greater force and greater power on shot, due to running start
However, relies on running startsudden stop and jump. Slower twitch muscles in leg are less economical at higher contraction speedsfatigue
Normal jump shot: least energy, force, and power produced, but not as tiring

18. References
Alexander, M. (1990). The application of biomechanics to basketball skills. CAHPER Journal, 56(3), 4-10.
Haefner, J. (2008). Proper Basketball Shooting Technique, Fundamentals, and Form. Retrieved from technique.html
Okazaki, V. H. A., & Rodacki, A. L. F. (2012). Increased distance of shooting on basketball jump shot. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, 11,
Valente, R. (2010). Movement Phase. Jump Shot. Retrieved from 10/10/movement- phase.html
Quist, J., VanNostrand, Z., Burns, B. (2012). Science of the 3-Point Shot. Biomechanics of a 3-Point Shot. Retrieved from