The Influence of Duration and Behavioral Consistency of Pre-Performance Routines on College Basketball Players' Free Throw Accuracy
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Authors
Lipka, Jasmine R.
Issue Date
2014
Type
Capstone
Language
en
Keywords
pre-performance routines, behavioral consistency, duration, free throws
Alternative Title
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore in greater depth the consistency and duration of preperformance routine (PPR) behaviors for basketball free throws. Foundational research by Onestak (1997) explored the potential impact of mental preparation prior to a specific skill/task on performance via an experimental study involving college basketball players' free-throw accuracy after Visuo-Motor Behavior Rehearsal (VMBR) and Videotaped Modeling (VM) interventions. In the present study, data was collected through observations of previously recorded game film for the entire season of the participating team. A total of 11 female Division I collegiate basketball players were observed. The present study acquired a large quantity of observed free throws, with 718 free throw attempts being used for data analysis. Data was analyzed through several chi-square analyses, comparing pre-shot variables on performance outcome. Results indicated an overall increase in shooting accuracy across all conditions tested. The results also showed that routine consistency significantly affected shot outcome. Therefore, behavioral consistency, which was defined by a player adhering to their dominant routine, was demonstrated to be vital to a player's free throw success. In addition, when comparing those individuals who performed a shorter routine time to those who performed a normal or longer routine time, individuals were slightly more likely to miss their free throws. Therefore, individuals who completed routines quickly were not as successful and thus may provide support for the function of PPRs to provide athletes with feelings of calmness and comfort prior to shooting a successful free throw. Further insight into the athlete's perception of the function of PPRs can help to build off the present study's findings.