Need help on CFA -Trouble with basketball throw-

anothercandidate

5-Year Member
Joined
Aug 1, 2010
Messages
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I can do well on all the rest of the CFA (in fact, at this point I think I can even max out on pushups), but I'm afraid the basketball throw will keep me out. At the SLS, I beat the average on pushups, situps, the run, got the average on the pullups, and was only .1 second behind the shuttle run. But i got 47 ft on the basketball throw, so I failed the whole thing. It's not like I'm really out of shape or anything, I can do the other stuff... I just can't do a good job of throwing a stupid basketball and right now that's the biggest threat that could keep me out of West Point.

Is there any kind of advice for thowing it? Some kind of trick? I've been practicing in my backyard but not really improving, only getting in the 45ish range. I talked to another candidate who passed the CFA and he said he got a passing 55, which you think would be a simple enough improvement but I just can't throw the stupid basketball like I need to. Any help?

EDIT: This is really embarassing. I meant to put this in the West Point Forum and I posted in the Naval Academy forum... how am I supposed to delete this? I checked the edit button but despite saying "Edit/Delete Message" I found no way of deleting this thread after clicking it. I know I probably seem like an idiot right now.
 
Haha. First off, I had the same problem when I double posted the same post because using the backspace button resent it. I never figured out how to delete the post...Anyway to answer your question, the basketball throw is by far the simplest event to make leaps and bounds in. I'm biased on this being a track and field thrower, I max out the Bball throw. But some major hints are to lean back. It's not all your arm. Second make sure you rotate. Don't just do foward movement. Lastly, use your left arm(if you throw with your right). Starting out with your left hand next to your right ribcage, whip it to the left to provide extra rotational power. Watch either a Javelin, Discus, or Shotput video to get a better understanding of this 'block arm'. You should be able to get 70 feet easily using those tips effectively. Good luck on your CFA and admission!

Candidate:
USNA '15
USMMA '15
USAFA '15
USCGA '15
 
Haha. First off, I had the same problem when I double posted the same post because using the backspace button resent it. I never figured out how to delete the post...Anyway to answer your question, the basketball throw is by far the simplest event to make leaps and bounds in. I'm biased on this being a track and field thrower, I max out the Bball throw. But some major hints are to lean back. It's not all your arm. Second make sure you rotate. Don't just do foward movement. Lastly, use your left arm(if you throw with your right). Starting out with your left hand next to your right ribcage, whip it to the left to provide extra rotational power. Watch either a Javelin, Discus, or Shotput video to get a better understanding of this 'block arm'. You should be able to get 70 feet easily using those tips effectively. Good luck on your CFA and admission!

Candidate:
USNA '15
USMMA '15
USAFA '15
USCGA '15
VERY NICELY SAID!!! :thumb:

That is precisely how I teach my candidates to do it and it does work wonders!!

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
The basketball throw is not important for USNA purposes. However, it obviously is to one of the SAs -- I think it's USMA, but I could be wrong about that.
 
Haha. First off, I had the same problem when I double posted the same post because using the backspace button resent it. I never figured out how to delete the post...Anyway to answer your question, the basketball throw is by far the simplest event to make leaps and bounds in. I'm biased on this being a track and field thrower, I max out the Bball throw. But some major hints are to lean back. It's not all your arm. Second make sure you rotate. Don't just do foward movement. Lastly, use your left arm(if you throw with your right). Starting out with your left hand next to your right ribcage, whip it to the left to provide extra rotational power. Watch either a Javelin, Discus, or Shotput video to get a better understanding of this 'block arm'. You should be able to get 70 feet easily using those tips effectively. Good luck on your CFA and admission!

Candidate:
USNA '15
USMMA '15
USAFA '15
USCGA '15

OK... so place my left hand next to my ribcage... can you be more specific? Do you mean I grab my right side (sort of) with my left hand, and then pull with my left hand as I throw to get extra "unwinding" force?
 
Using centrifugal force, keep your arm extended in the beginning of the turn, and then as you turn, pull your arm in so it converts that inertia into speed.
 
Talk to the track and field coach at your school. He will be able to fully explain and even demonstrate what you need to do. Good Luck.
 
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