Patrick Leahy

University of Lethbridge
Lethbridge Collegiate Institute

Basketball Skill Test: Shooting

Basic Skill Being Assessed: Ability to shoot a basketball with proper technique

Grade Level Appropriateness: 7-12

Individual or Group Based Assessment: Individual

Equipment Required: 2 basketballs per available backboard/hoop, timing tool

(scoreclock/phone)

Assessment Set-Up:

There are multiple ways to approach this activity for assessment purposes. It could be run twice,
once at the beginning of a unit and then again at the end. In this method, students would be
assessed for progress made from the beginning to the end of the activity. Alternatively, this
activity could be used closer to the end of the unit as a more traditional type of assessment tool.

In terms of set up, this is activity has a simpler design and execution than some of the others I’ve
shown here. The only equipment required are two basketballs per available backboard/hoop.
Break all students up into partners. Assign two to three partnerships (4 to 6 students total) to play
at each hoop. Only 1 partnership will shoot on a hoop at any given time. Try to place
partnerships of similar skill levels at the same hoop

The activity starts with two students with balls at each hoop. The other 2-4 students at that hoop
are to stand behind the hoop out of the way and count baskets for the students shooting. The goal
for students is to score as many points as possible in a minute time frame. Each basket is worth 1
point, and students are only permitted to shoot jump shots a minimum of 6 feet away from the
hoop. The assessment focus is on shooting, and students are to be encouraged to shoot jump
shots away from the hoop. The students shooting together on the hoop at the same time are
teammates, their goal is to have a higher combined point total than the other team(s) who will
also shoot after them. Have the students counting count out loud to alleviate possible confusion
and frustration with counting. Each group of students should be able to shoot 3 times. This gives
the teacher ample opportunities to circulate around to each hoop and observe technique. Video
recording can also be used after the fact to examine the technical aspect of shooting in greater
detail.
Patrick Leahy
University of Lethbridge
Lethbridge Collegiate Institute

Assessment Focus Points:

Patrick Leahy
University of Lethbridge
Lethbridge Collegiate Institute

1. Pre-shot positioning: Student should be balanced- weight on the balls of the feet, feet
slightly staggered, knees slightly bent.
2. Ball should start in the middle of the chest, with the shooting elbow in and almost
directly underneath the basketball. Non shooting hand rests on lightly on the side of the
ball.
3. Eyes should be focused on target throughout the entire shooting motion.
4. Motion starts from feet and transfers up the legs, torso, and out into the ball.
5. Wrist snaps up and out cleanly towards target.
6. Success of shooting attempt (shot made, shot missed but close, air ball etc)

4 3 2 1 0

Pre-shot Student is always Student is usually Student is Student is rarely Student is

balanced, feet balanced, feet balanced, feet balanced, feet balanced, and
positioning staggered, and staggered, and staggered, and staggered, and does not have feet
knees slightly bent knees slightly bent knees slightly bent knees slightly bent staggered and
half the time knees slightly bent

Elbow Elbow always Elbow usually Elbow remains Elbow rarely Elbow does not
remains remains underneath the remains remain underneath
Position underneath the underneath the ball and inside the underneath the the ball and inside
ball and inside the ball and inside the body frame ball and inside the the body frame
body frame body frame throughout shot body frame throughout shot
throughout shot throughout shot half the time throughout shot

Eyes Eyes always stay Eyes usually stay Eyes stay on Eyes rarely stay Eyes do not stay
on target for the on target for target for duration on target for on target for
duration of the duration of the of the shot half the duration of the duration of the
shot shot time shot shot

Wrist and Wrist always Wrist usually Wrist snaps up Wrist rarely snaps Wrist does not
snaps up and out snaps up and out and out towards up and out snap up and out
Follow towards basket towards basket basket and follows towards basket towards basket
through and follows and follows through cleanly and follows and follow
through cleanly through cleanly half the time through cleanly through cleanly

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