Ball Size and Distance as Constraints in Prep Wheelchair Basketball Free Throws

Authors

  • Robert J. Szyman Chicago State University
  • Gail Ito Northeastern Illinois State University
  • Doug Garner University of Texas – Arlington
  • Blanca Muñoz United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Chicago
  • Justy Reed Chicago State University

Keywords:

basketball, disability, free throw

Abstract

Many National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) Prep players cannot successfully perform a free throw. This study examined basketball size and free throw distance on free throw outcomes for two samples of Prep wheelchair basketball players: an initial sample (N = 41) comparing a NCAA women's basketball (WB) and an official junior basketball (JB) at 13 and 10 ft from the hoop and another sample (N = 20) comparing the WB, JB, and the Spalding Rookie Gear ball (SRGB) at the same two distances. In both samples, participants performed better with a smaller and lighter ball and at a closer distance to the hoop. Findings tend to support the use of body-scaled basketballs for NWBA Junior Division Prep players since the subjects slightly more that 20% of the total population of Prep players in the USA. 

Issue

Section

Feature Articles