Ritual and free‐throw shooting in basketball

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the nature and effect of certain highly patterned behaviours utilized prior to free-throw shooting in basketball. Ten female basketball players comprising the varsity squad of Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas, USA served as subjects for this study. Subjects were filmed with a high-speed camera and monitored for heart rate during the performance of 10 free throws in each of two conditions: ritual and non-ritual. For the ritual condition, subjects were given unlimited time and freedom of movement prior to each free-throw attempt. For the non-ritual condition, subjects were not restricted by time, but were instructed to shoot the ball without utilizing any movements other than those required to project the ball to the goal. Dependent measures were characteristics of behaviours, physiological changes measured by heart rates, mechanical data (speed, height and angle of release), and number of successful attempts. Condition x trials analyses of variance and low standard deviation concerning characteristics of behaviours indicated that the idiosyncratic behaviours prior to free-throw shooting were rituals of the auto-communicative type. Results indicated no significant difference between conditions for free-throw success. However, partial correlation between dependent measures and successful free-throw attempts indicated that duration of behaviours was most crucial to free-throw shooting success.

Preperformance State, Routines, and Automaticity: What Does It Take to Realize Expertise in Self-Paced Events?

“…Whether for the highly skilled, moderately proficient, or beginner, preperformance routines can enhance achievement (Lidor & Singer, 2000). For example, for a novel ball tossing task (Singer et al, 1993) or a basketball free throw (Southard, Miracle, & Landwer, 1989;Wrisberg & Anshel, 1989;Wrisberg & Pain, 1992), participants who were taught how to use a particular routine attained a higher level of skill than those who were not trained to use one. Perhaps one reason is that the activation of a consistent routine associated with an act of skill provides the performer with perceptions of control, of being able to make something good happen.…”

Influence of a pre-shot dynamic stretching routine on free throw performance

“…It seems that SMDS of the flexor carpi radialis muscle had a negative impact on FTP. The percentage of the following two FTs (columns 12 and 13) has increased; considering the widely documented nonexistence of long-lasting effects of stretching exercises on the resistance of the muscle-tendon unit [31,32,33], we assumed that negative effects of the SMDS of the flexor carpi radialis muscle have a relatively short duration (~5'-10').…”

“…Some previous experimental studies have examined performance outcomes using two conditions, with and without the use of a PPR [13,26,32]. The general conclusion was that performance is significantly better when using a PPR, but researchers have not examined the effect of substituting one behavioral routine for another.…”

“…The international growth of basketball is so huge that there are over 200 countries that have basketball federations. Basketball as a sport keeps people of all ages and both sexes engaged and it is now played indoors and outdoors in all seasons [32]. The game of modern basketball involves a vast number of technical and tactical skills and players' ability to execute them in competitive situations directly affects the outcome of the game.…”

Preparatory Routines in Self‐Paced Events: Do They Benefit the Skilled Athletes? Can They Help the Beginners?

“…In another study, Southard, Miracle, and Landwer (1989) asked 10 varsity female basketball players to perform 10 free throws under two conditions: ritual and nonritual. Results revealed that players made more baskets in the regular condition 452 Interventions and Performance Enhancement than when omitting a commonly used routine.…”