Basketball

Challenge
 Question

Should the size of the

basketball change in
High School?

Group 1
 Background

NBA basketball size

75.25 cm
WNBA basketball size
72.25 cm
Ball size is the same from high school all the
way to the professional level
Average hand length formula
Hand length/height x 0.108

Group 1
 Procedure

Gather both girls and boys

varsity basketball teams
Using a goniometer, measure
the hand length of each player
on both left and right sides
If the hand is larger than 18 cm,
use a meter stick with a
centimeter unit measurement

Group 2
 Procedure cont.

After measuring the hand lengths of

each player, measure their height
Using measuring tape, have the
athlete stand tall against a flat wall
Measure them in centimeters
After you have measured both the
athletes hands and height, record
the data in a data table
Compare averages of hands and
height between girls and boys

Group 2
 Data

Group 3
 Quantitative Analysis
The average height of the men was 163 cm and the average hand length on

the left was 19.97cm and 20.01cm on the right hand. I found this by adding up

the values for height and hand length on both hands and dividing by 15.

1. (172+178+188+188+193+195+184+198+191+191+201+175+193+185+185)/15=

163cm

2. (18+20+19.5+21+19.5+20+20+20+19.5+19.5+22.5+18.6+22+19+20.3)/15=19.97cm

3. (18+20+19.5+20+19.5+21+20+20+20+19.5+22.5+18.6+22+19+20.3)/15=20.01cm

Group 4
 Quantitative Analysis

The average height for the women was 171.9 cm and the average

hand length was 17.7 cm on both the left and other hands. I found

this by adding up the values for height and hand length on both

hands and dividing by 12.

1. (177+173+156+179+172+178+176+168+176+174+170+164)/12=171.9cm

2. (18+19+16+18+18+17+18.5+17.5+16.5+18.5+17+18)/12=17.7cm

3. (18+19+16+18+18+17+18.5+17.5+16.5+18.5+17.5+17.5)/12=17.7cm

Group 4
 Quantitative Analysis
(Avg. hand length)/(Avg. height) x 0.108 = Hand to ball ratio

(19.99)/(163)x0.108=0.106

(17.7)/(171.9)x0.108=0.103

(75.25/0.108)=(x/0.106)
Optimal ball size for boys is 73.85cm

(72.71/0.108)=(x/0.103)
Optimal ball size for girls is 69.34cm

Group 4
 Advantages of changing the size of the ball
for the boys

If the ball were to be bigger If the ball were to be smaller

Easier to handle the ball because

Easier to shoot but harder to
of its size
score because of the ratio
You could palm the ball a lot
between the ball and hoop. easier
Ball will have less weight so you
It'll be easier to play with the
smaller ball when they transition can move quicker

Group 1
 Disadvantages of changing the size of the
ball for the boys
If the ball were to be bigger
Hard to hold because it would be
bigger than the average men grip
Hard to control and handle
because it would bounce too high
and out of control
Percentage of made shots
decrease
Group 2
If the ball were to be smaller
Give too much of advantage to
men because it would be more
sufficient
Too easy to shoot
Extremely high percentage of
made shots
Hard to shoot with two hands
 Advantages of changing the size of the
ball for girls

There would not be many advantages of changing the size of

the ball for the girls team.
One advantage may include easier handling of a smaller ball
of lesser weight. The disadvantages far outweigh the
advantages.

Group 3
 Disadvantages of changing the ball size for
the girls

Have to adjust their shot form due to the change of

proprioception
Learn how to have better ball control if the ball is larger or
smaller
Have to adjust with handling the weight difference
If the ball is larger, possibly make it harder to handle and have a
good grip
Will have to adjust everything if they play college and the WNBA
Group 4 because of the ball change.
 Group 1 Hypothesis/Conclusion
Hypothesis:
We believe that the size of a
basketball in high school should not
be changed because if it's the same
in college and the NBA and WNBA,
players come out of high school
would have a disadvantage.
Group 1
Conclusion:
Hypothesis was supported by the results
we got.
The ratio to the ball a high school men's
basketball player hand length is 3.7 cm
while the NBA is 3.52 cm.
Women's hand length to ball in high
school is 4.11 cm and in the WNBA it's
3.67 cm
Shouldn't be changed because it could
put High School athletes at a major
disadvantage going into college and
make their game weak
 Group 2 Hypothesis and Conclusion
Hypothesis:
- Shouldn't change
- Ball to hand ratio accurate
for both men and women
- They are similar to each
other
Conclusion:
- Hypothesis was supported
- Ball shouldn't change in both girls and
guys
- No experimental errors
- Factors that could've affected the data
- Ball shouldn't change because there
would be disadvantages for both
women and men
 Group 3s Hypothesis & Conclusion
Hypothesis:

The ratio of hand size to ball circumference will be the same in high school as
that within the NBA/WNBA

Conclusion:

The hypothesis was not supported.

Experimental errors: conversion of inches to centimeters for height, hand
length, and ball size, averaging.
By the numbers, the ball should be smaller for High School players.
IN OUR OPINION: The size of the basketball should not be changed in the
use of high school competitions. High school players have been using the
same size ball for years; will impact their playing.
Group 3
 Group 4s Hypothesis and Conclusion

Hypothesis:

The ratio of hand size to ball circumference will be the same, the size of
the basketball should not change for neither the boys team or the girls team.

Conclusion:

Hypothesis not supported

Ratio of men and women were different (0.106 men and 0.103 women)
The ball size should be decreased in high school sports with this data
Errors could have been rushing through the basketball players and not getting
accurate measures, making our ratio as incorrect
We believe the ball shouldn't be changed because the transition would be too
hard when they go off to college
Group 4