Shooting accuracy in children's basketball: Do equipment dimensions influence static and dynamic performances?

The purpose of study was to explore the influence of equipment dimensions on shooting accuracy in children's basketball through the effects of (a) using basket height and ball size for children and adult, along with different shooting distances (Study 1) and (b) the applied 12-week shooting training with different ball sizes (Study 2). The participants were basketball players from the same club ages from 10 to 11 years and with at least one-year basketball training experiences. In Study 1, we recruited 22 children; while in Study 2 we selected 36 children in two experimental (practice with balls for adults and children) and one control group (no practice). Shooting accuracy was assessed through the static and dynamic trials. The obtained results showed that children equipment provided no acute advantages compared to the adult equipment in terms of shooting accuracy either in static or dynamic conditions. In addition, we found no benefits on shooting accuracy when compared the effects of applied shooting training either for practice with children's or adult's ball sizes. The present findings suggested that the applied manipulations of equipment for children and adult produce no differences in terms of static or dynamic shooting accuracy performances in young basketball players.

Speed and agility of 12- and 14-year-old elite male basketball players.

The aims of this study were (a) to identify and compare the speed and agility of 12- and 14-year-old elite male basketball players and (b) to investigate relations between speed and agility for both age groups of basketball players, to help coaches to improve their work. Sixty-four players aged 12 (M = 11.98 years, SD = 0.311) and 54 players aged 14 (M = 14.092 years, SD = 0.275) were tested. Three agility tests: agility t-test, zigzag agility drill, and agility run 4 × 15 m and 3 speed tests: 20-m run, 30-m run, and 50-m run were applied. Fourteen-year-old players achieved significantly better results in all speed and agility tests compared with 12-year-old players. The correlation coefficient (r = 0.81, p = 0.001) showed that 12-year-old players have the same ability in the 30- and 50-m runs. The other correlation coefficient (r = 0.59, p = 0.001) indicated that 20- and 30-m runs had inherently different qualities. The correlation coefficients between agility tests were <0.71, and therefore, each test in this group represents a specific task. In 14-year-old players, the correlation coefficients between the speed test results were <0.71. In contrast, the correlation coefficients between the agility tests were >0.71, which means that all the 3 tests represent the same quality. During the speed training of 12-year-old players, it is advisable to focus on shorter running distances, up to 30 m. During the agility training of the same players, it is useful to apply exercises with various complexities. In speed training of the 14-year-old players, the 30- and 50-m runs should be applied, and agility training should include more specific basketball movements and activities.