Release parameters of the best jump shots in elite male Zimbabwe basketball players

This study investigated release parameters angle of release, velocity of release, height of release and spin of release of the clean shots , scored by Zimbabwe male league basketball players. Clean shot (CS) represents the most accurate jump shot in basketball open play. Data for the study was collected from twenty-six (26) male players, randomly sampled from the Bulawayo Basketball Association. Each player’s executed ten successive and uncontested jump shots from the free throw line. These shots were videotaped in the sagittal plane, using standard videography protocols. The study found that the RPs (AOR, VOR, HOR and SOR) of MAJS made by ZMLBBPs were 55.5±8.4º;5.4±1.33/s;2.5±0.4m and 3.6±1.6 rev/s. It is concluded from the study that MAJS of ZMLBBPs are executed using comparable AORs, very low VORs, low HORs and high SORs in comparison to similar RPs used by players elsewhere, in executing JS. It is therefore recommended that ZBBPs design practices that compel players utilize higher VOR, and higher HOR when practicing for JS and that ZMLBBPs coaches use height as a criterion for selecting players for basketball (BB).