Procrast---

First of all, I want to establish that I really want to go to West Point. I'm really worried about my physical. What are the minimum height and weight requirements for USMA? I don't have any preexisting conditions (no meds, no allergies, no genetic defects), but I'm really light and really short. I'm a male who is 5'3" and barely breaks 100 lbs, even though I eat a lot.

Now about the CFA, and that's the thing I'm despairing. From the statistics I've given, I think you can infer that I'm no Schwarzenegger. I've been practicing but I don't seem to be getting any results, especially the b-ball throw, on which I am completely PITIFUL. One the other events though I seem to do fine. So far it's basically been:
B-ball: ~35
Pull-ups: 9-11
Sit-ups: ~80
Push-ups: 75
Shuttle run: ~9.3-9.5
Mile run: 7:38
The thing with the B-ball is I can't generate enough power. Does anyone have any advice on technique. The other events I'd certainly say they aren't all bad, but I'd definitely like to do better. Any advice? Please? Yeah, I know, I'm pathetic...

Anonagron

Pro-Crast, first of all, DO NOT give up! My male Yuk is similar in physique, though just slightly larger. I think he measures 5'5" and was less than 120 lbs when he entered WP.

As far as the BB throw, that was one event on the CFA that he also had some issues with. The hints he was given were to use his hips and twist to the side slightly with his arm extended overhead and back as far as possible without losing the grip on the BB cradled in his hand. Leaning back and rocking forward as you lob the BB will help give it some momentum. He found if he rocked back on his knees a few times before lobbing the ball it helped some too, but I don't know if that was just as much psychological as physical. Practice, practice, practice!

You might also see if you could talk to an occupational therapist, or someone who knows the muscle anatomy of the human body, have them watch you, and see if they can offer suggestions too. I suggest this because they would have a knowledge of the way the muscles work in sync for this particular exercise, and they may be able to see some things you can do for more power behind the throw. As far as your CFA stats, best I can remember, they are similar to my son's.

I know I was asking the same questions on here two years ago. If I find the past posts, and advice given, I will add that as a link to you below.

Good luck, and keep us informed!

wmace10

Procrast, I went from barely throwing the width of the court, to almost the full length of the court in a few months. Like Anonagron said, practice is vital! I practiced this event probably 3 times a week and it really helped. I started off by standing and throwing the ball against the wall several times, graduallly backing up, then I got down on my knees and actually did the throw (use something to cushion your knees, it will help!) Before I threw the ball I spun it in front of me like a basketball player preparing for a free throw, and caught it while leaning back, I think this might have helped a little but it might have just been mental. Then after that I just threw it as hard as I could, with a good follow through. Getting a good release was sometimes difficult for me and that's where the practice came in. In a matter of maybe 3 months I went from throwing about 50 feet to 88 feet. All your other scores seem strong, just try these tips and see if they can help you. Good luck

majmattmason

The above comments are good, practice your throw. I would add that you pay attention to the arc you throw, it has a huge impact on how far the ball travels. You'll just need to get a feel for it by – practicing.

As for your shuttle run, try this. Try running the same distance one time in a straight line with no turns, then compare your time with your best time of running the normal course. You will see that you are losing all of your time in your turns. The idea is to not hang around while making your turns. Think hand grenade/hot potato/monkey in the middle and you'll be on your way to running as fast as you can away from the turns. Don't slow down, but rather slam on the brakes, while you are tagging the line and immediately change course. And by all means, run hard through the finish, don't slow down as you approach it.

Looking at your pull ups also reminded me of what we were told by an Admissions Officer years ago. She said that every year, there are some admitted who cannot even do one pull up. They're the huge linebackers that are trying to pull up more than twice your weight, and that's not quite a fair comparison. So some times, it's good to be smaller in stature.

cklizard

I think i had kind of the same problem as you, i threw the b-ball about 43 feet on the CFA at the SLS without practicing, which failed me for that test. I practiced alot and brought my throw up to about 65 ft, but what made the difference was that when i took the CFA, my gym teacher gave me a really light basketball, which i threw 75 ft on one throw. So go for the light basketball, it makes a difference!

Luigi59

The USMA CFA regulations (http://admissions.usma.edu/prospectu...ructions05.pdf) clearly state that you must use a regulation men's basketball.

I'm not sure what a "light" basketball is, but it sounds like a girl's basketball or some type of non-regulation basketball.

Use of which would be cheating.

Ann

Agreed - use of any ball other than a regulation men's basketball would be cheating.

Procrast---

Hey guys! Thanks for all the advice. I didn't read them until now cuz i thought college confidential would email me if i got a reply. i didnt get any so I thought nobody cared...lol. Anyway, I asked a WP alumnus a few days ago and he said that "In the end the total score is what counts". But i've also read that one failing scores fails the entire test, so I'm not sure who's right. Of course that doesn't mean I'm giving up on the BB (NEVER GIVE UP), but i would take a lot of pressure off me if good performance in other areas can "make up" for bad ones. Also, a few weeks ago, I managed to get close to 50' on the BB but i haven't been able to do it since. I don't know what I did that time. But other than that time, my BB has gone back down. I've also improved my running scores. so my scores are as follows

BB: ~35 (largely no change)
Pull-ups: 12
Sit-ups: 83
Push-ups: 75
SR: 9.2
Mile run: 6:46

I really want to know if the WP graduate is correct. Thanks for all your help!

marciemi

Well, my son went to SLS last summer. After they took the CFA, their squad leaders gave them a "report card" with their scores, and any specific score that was not passing was marked. If all their scores passed, then technically they were recorded on their official record. If they failed any, they weren't. So I believe you do have to pass all sections, but it is an overall score. My understanding would be that then if you did really well on other sections, yes, they would balance your score, but you'd still have to pass that section.

That said, he was surprised at how low some of the passing scores were. Just from talking to other kids in his squad/platoon, it appeared that at least lower 50's was passing for that - I don't know how much lower. 34 pushups passed, as did 5 pullups. He was just expecting the "passing" score to be closer to the "average" scores you see listed. I know no one will tell you the actual cutoff, so you just may need to do your best.

One big advantage you have is that the BB throw is the first test. If you have a PE teacher willing to work with you, you could stop in once a week and try after school. Whenever you get one of those 50' throws, grab it and do the rest of the test for real. If not, come back a different day!

Procrast---

I tried it again and here are my scores:

BB: 47
Pull ups: 14
Shuttle: 8.9
Situps: 92
Pushups: 75
Run: 6:30

Would the BB still fail me?

marciemi

I think it should be passing (or very close) and everything else looks fine. Are you working with a MALO at all who could advise you? Or possibly consider calling your Regional Contact at WP? Maybe one of them could give you advice before you submit.

Ann

You do need to pass every event to pass the CFA. Marcieni has given you good advice - ask your RC in admissions what he/she thinks of your scores before you formally submit them.

Spurs

I went to the SLS the summer of 08', and like you, I had troubles with the basketball throw (and pushups and pull-ups). Before the SLS I did very little training, and it showed. Anyway to answer your question I threw the ball 49' and failed, and someone else in my squad threw it 51' and passed. I believe the passing level is 50', though they never tell you. If you were wondering here were the rest of my results:

PU: 27
Situps: 70+
Mile: 6:30
Pull ups: 4
SR: 8.2

SLS worked as a wake up call, and I improved my scores a lot by December which is when I retook the CFS. Since the rest of your scores are very good, my only suggestion would be to practice the BB throw everyday. I did that, along with lifting weights for the first time in my life almost daily and got my BB throw up to 75' in a little over 5 months. Just work on strength and form. Eating more would be a good idea to

Procrast---

So I did an "official" test and here were my results

BB: 51 (barely passed)
Pullups: 14
SR: 8.7
SU: 96 (max)
PU: 75 (max)
Run: 7:23 (SUCKS!)

For the run, it was raining pretty hard but I had no choice so I did it anyway. Needless to to say I was carrying like 5lbs of water on my by the time I finished the run. The whole time I've been worried about the throw, and by some miracle I got a passing score (I'm a male the size of a woman :P). The run is what now worries me. I can usually manage a 6:30 but as mentioned above God was not on my side. Anyway, would I still be able to pass with that running score? Thanks.

Luigi59

The CFA is taken in a certain order with minimum breaks between events. The effects are supposed to be cumulative = i.e. rarely will anyone run close to their "best time" in the mile while taking the CFA.