<p>I was at the gym yesterday and I actually did the BB throw for the first time just like it would be at the CFA. And I wasn’t unhappy with what I was getting, but I know I can do better. </p>
<p>Anyone have a good (or different) ideas on how to improve BB throwing distances? Thanks.</p>
<p>Sorry if this has been asked before.</p>
<p>Just stick with it. The best way to get farther is to just do it everyday at the gym. You'll start getting a better feel for the form and what works and what doesnt work for you. If you dont have room to do the full throw you can throw a bball against a gym wall. I did that everyday for about a month and drastically improved.</p>
<p>Are you trying to throw it over hand? If so, try throwing it side arm. Imagine a lacrosse or jai alai player throwing. You get much better range of motion. When my son threw the basketball, the ALO and tester said it didn't matter HOW he threw it as long as both knees stayed on the ground straight ahead.</p>
<p>Side arm throws are not allowed, that would be cheating.</p>
<p>The CFA instructions clearly state it must be thrown overhand.</p>
<p>It helps if you rotate your whole upper body. You get a lot more power by twisting. Also you can go as far forward as you want as long as your hands don't touch the ground.</p>
<p>I'm also working on the BB throw and my ALO said technique is the most important (he also said it is one of the strangest tests and he doesn't know why exactly they do it). One tip is to just practice form and technique without the ball, it'll help with balance and make sure you get the "spring" effect working for you.</p>
<p>It's definitely about technique, but other than that, I'd just say stick with it. It's a weird test... but keep doing it so you can get a feel for it. I improved by 30 feet in two weeks, just in time for the test. So just keep doing it.</p>
<p>Yes luigi. I used the wrong word. Didn't mean to say the word sidearm. If you throw it like a baseball or football, your shoulder can only go so far back. If you swing your arm like a lacrosse racket you can move your arm 360 degrees. Definitely about technique.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice everyone. Appreciate it.</p>
<p>The advice that has already been posted is pretty good. Just listen to that.</p>
<p>Also, if I remember correctly, none of your upper body can touch the ground during the throw (i.e., falling face first, but keeping hands up still won't count).</p>
<p>No comment on why this part of the test is important. ;)</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Christcorps, this is the second occassion you have been corrected on the basketball throw. Candidates come here for advice. Let's make it correct advice. The procedures states specifially that it is to be an overhand throw.What you describe here is not an overhand throw. Just because your son's ALO and administrator would have let him submit an illegial throw does not make it right.</p>
<p>USNA is the only one of the four academies which, in their procedure literature, does not require an overhand throw.</p>
<p>Whoa Whoa Whoa! Everyone! </p>
<p>I'm glad everyone came in to give advice. And I'm very glad you you all did. </p>
<p>I understand there's a big Air Force/Navy/Army divide here. We're all going to want our branch to be the best, and rub it in their faces, but its not worth it(especially on the internet with someone you don't know....takes all the pleasure out of it). So if I'd known I'd start this, I wouldn't have.</p>
<p>Well I tell you what you did do and I am sure I am not the only one who can pick up on it, and that is that you are questioning the validity of that boy's appointment by saying an illegal CFA was administered, something you are in no position to do whatsoever...</p>
<p>I would hope that you would not be so blind as to see what it is that I am saying and apologize to Christcorp for such absurd accusations...</p>
<p>Once more, please and thank you USNA69... ;)</p>
<p>Haha, sorry CranoOrden, this isnt a service divide problem, but I will personally apologize to you for causing your thread to get so out of hand... :(</p>
<p>Good luck with your BBall throw (a whacky test)!!! ;)</p>
<p>Whoa.....</p>
<p>From the AFA website:
[quote]
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.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>From the USMA website:
[quote]
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.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>From the USNA website:
[quote]
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.
[/quote]
</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>
<p>so for this test we are on our kneees right....sorry if it sound like a stupid question and when can we the class of 2013 start taking the physical fitness test.....and when do the appointments for the medical start...thanks</p>
<p>None of this needs to be nasty. I understand navy's concern that a candidate could be getting wrong advice. But what I describe is an overhand throw. I just obviously can't describe it very well. When a baseball is hit to the shortstop and he throws it to 1st; that is an overhand throw. But they usually throw from the shoulder with the ball coming past the ear. When a pitcher winds up and throws the ball, it too is an overhand throw, but can come from over the top.</p>
<p>Obviously, there are problems with communicating. I also don't think that navy was implying that my son cheated or that his appointment is a cheat. Especially considering his known academic and athletic abilities. My suggestion therefor is to go to the ALO or person administering the test, and ask them. They are the ones who have given this test many times before you. They will have suggestions and advice on how to improve the score. The tester told my son that as long as the hand and ball went over the head and moved in an up/down motion instead of a side/side motion and stayed UNDER head level, then it was considered an OVERHAND throw.</p>
<p>My description/advice was just that of a baseball pitcher. Obviously, if you have long arms and they touch the ground when kneeling, it wouldn't work. Anyway, go ask your tester or ALO for a ruling and advice. I agree that if what I am describing, which is an overhand throw, is MISUNDERSTOOD, your tester could reject the throw. Again, I suggested throwing like a pitcher instead of a shortstop if that makes any sense.</p>
<p>P.S. On the 2nd question concerning taking the test and medical appointments; neither can be officially done until you receive your application info in the mail. First week or two of June. Then you can log into the account online and start the procedures. NOW, if they changed it where you don't need to be notified any longer and anyone can just start logging into the online app, then that has changed. But basically, when they tell you that you are now considered an applicant and here is how to log in and do the application, then that is when it will give you the instructions.</p>
<p>I would like to apologize to all of you for getting a bit "irrational" in my posts, when it comes to these service academies, words like cheating, illegal, and unethical are very very disturbing and can hit hard very quickly... When seeing that a post had been made that someone may have done something illegal, I ran to his aid as fast as I could, without taking the time to fully understand the meaning, and for that I am sorry USNA69... Do accept my apology and I hope you could see the sincerity of this remorse... :(</p>
<p>Recent events have spiked my frustration but that is not the fault of USNA69 and none of you as well...</p>
<p>I suppose sometimes being that 17 almost 18 year old can get to ya...;)</p>
<p>Thanks airforce. Now if we can just figure out what the heck Christcorp is talking about without my giving technical advice. Warning: I am no expert on basketball throwing but would like for someone who had a great throw tell us how they did it. Cc, are you using side arm and straight arm a synonymous terms. I don't think anyone can get any distance from a short stop type throw. Quick delivery is more the emphasis here than distance. I hope your ALO was also incorrect in not allowing the hand over the head during the delivery. The best throws I have seen involve rotating the upper torso 90d in the direction of the throwing hand, palming the ball as far behind the body as possible. Uncoiling the torso to 90d in the opposite direction while simultaneously throwing the ball, with the hand following through in the direction of the flight of the ball, seems to work best. I used to pitch, am quite tall, and have long fingers. At 60 yrs of age, I can walk outside right now and do 75'. What I personally do is keep as much of a straight arm as possible and allow the ball to roll out on my fingers, getting even more momentum, and allow a wrist action while releasing. But like Cc says, individual technique is where it is at.</p>
<p>I am glad to see some resolution has come...
And USNA 69... GREAT ADVICE.</p>
<p>It is funny how effective clear and friendly communication can be.</p>