Effects Of A Self-Training Program On Shooting Performance And Kinematics In Young Basketball Players: A Case Study

The current study intended to investigate the effects of a self-training program on shooting performance and kinematics of young basketball players. Fourteen male basketball players aged 16.64 +/-.50 years, divided in control group (n=7) and experimental group (n=7), were assessed on free-throvv, two-point and three-point shooting performance and on four kinematic parameters (release height, release angle, release speed and trajectory variability), before and after a five-week training program. During the five-week period, the experimental group accomplished a shooting training program that induded 600 shots per week. Both groups maintained their regular basketball practice. The results show that the experimental group significantly increased their shooting performance on three-point (p<.05) and on free-throw (p<.05). Moreover, a significant decrease in three-point ball release angle (p<.05) and a significant increase in free-throw ball release height (p<.05) were observed in the experimental group, while the control group significantly increased the two-point ball release speed (p< .05). In condusion, self-shooting basketball practice, in addition to formal practice, significantly improves shooting performance of young basketball players. In contrast, the reduced changes on the analysed kinematic parameters caused by the self-training program are most likely a consequence of the absence of external feedback during training process.