Improving BB Throw

[JustAMomOf4]

<p>Whoa…</p>

<p>From the AFA website:

The basketball throw measures ability to generate
shoulder girdle power and total body coordination and
balance from a stationary position.
The candidate must:
▼ Keep his/her knees parallel to and behind the
baseline and on the floor during the event. May use a
mat to cushion the knees.
▼ In an overhand throwing motion, throw a men’s
basketball as far as possible (Figure 2). The nonthrowing
hand may be used to steady the ball before throwing, but only one hand can be used to throw the ball Not touch the floor beyond the baseline with any
part of the body until the basketball has landed.
▼ Execute three trials within a 2minute
time period.
The test administrator will:
▼ Extend the 100’ tape measure the length of the
testing area, perpendicular to the throwing
baseline.
▼ Start the event at “0” minutes.
▼ Mark the point of impact with a pointer/yardstick
for all three trials.
▼ Measure the perpendicular distance from the
marked point of impact to the centerline
tape
(Figure 4).
▼ Record the score to the nearest foot for the trial
with the greatest distance.

</p>

<p>From the USMA website:

The candidate takes a throwing position, on both knees, on the mat close to and directly behind the Throwing Line. The candidate’s knees must remain parallel to the Throwing Line (Figure 1). Three legal overhand throws are allowed from this kneeling position to attain as great a distance as possible.</p>

<p>A candidate may use the non-throwing hand to steady the ball in preparation for the throw (Figure 2). The candidate cannot touch the floor or mat with either hand during or after any throw.</p>

<p>The examiner must measure all throws to the center of the impact position of the ball. Three fair trials are allowed. A ball landing to one side will be measured by an imaginary straight line perpendicular to the center line of the court and extended to the point of impact. Any ball that hits the ceiling or a side wall will not be scored and will be re-thrown.</p>

<p>The candidate"s score will be the longest throw recorded of the three proper attempts, rounded down to the nearest foot.

</p>

<p>From the USNA website:

Kneeling Basketball Throw: measures ability to generate shoulder girdle power and total coordination/ balance in a stationary position.
The candidate must:
- Keep his/her knees parallel to and behind the baseline and on the floor during the event.
- May use a 1-inch mat to cushion the knees.
- Execute three trials in a 2-minute time period.
- May use the non-throwing hand to steady the ball.
- Not touch the floor beyond the baseline with any part of the body until the basketball has landed.

</p>

<p>It appears that USAFA and USMA both stipulate an overhand throw. While USNA does not.</p>

<p>It is kind of curious that the same test being used for 5 different academies will have different instructions.</p>

<p>Back to the BB throw - many many kids have trouble with this. Some throw far effortlessly and others struggle, as we have seen here.
Females have a hard time because they tend to be shorter - less distance from the floor to the ball when starting and the fact that they have to use a Men’s size basketball. Those with smaller hands will not be able to cover a wide area of the ball.</p>

<p>As far as test validity - the academies know they are dealing with many different people who give and score these tests. Dont be surprised at all that when you report you suddenly find many of your pullups or pushups suddenly “don’t count”. That is not to say that folks cheated - but the testing standards of what counts may vary - human nature.</p>

<p>One final point - kids who are applying to USNA and USAFA may have their CFA administered by a BGO - so yeah BGO’s and ALO’s need to know the requirements for the different academies.
I know also that while USNA allows a coach to administer the test - USMA does not.</p>