CFA Basketball Throw

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Collegestudent16

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Aug 24, 2017
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I’m aware there’s a post up right now that talks specifically about the basketball throw, but I’m wondering if I can get some more specific insight. I’m a female and can only throw 30 feet, at most. On every other event, I’m solid. But will the basketball throw make me fail the whole test?
 
Place basketball throw in search box, lots of prior posts about it.
 
Collegestudent16 said:
I’m aware there’s a post up right now that talks specifically about the basketball throw, but I’m wondering if I can get some more specific insight. I’m a female and can only throw 30 feet, at most. On every other event, I’m solid. But will the basketball throw make me fail the whole test?
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What really helped me was to get a 5 pound medicine ball (or heavier if you want) and practice throwing with that for a bit. After about 30 throws, switch back to a basketball. You'll get better because your arm will get stronger but also, more importantly, used to the throwing technique. The basketball throw isn't really about strength but more just technique in the throw; if you're solid on every other event then that's pretty obvious.

Yes, if you don't pass this event, you fail the CFA. I was in the exact same position this summer so I would just practice that technique, check out youtube, they have good technique videos.
 
Practice it a few days. I am a 5' girl I improved my throw about 12 feet just from watching a few videos and practicing. I got above minimum but not by much. At SLE the admissions counselor told me to get a passing score and move on. She also told me a few feet on a basketball ball throw will not get you in or keep you out.
 
tx2022 said:
Practice it a few days. I am a 5' girl I improved my throw about 12 feet just from watching a few videos and practicing. I got above minimum but not by much. At SLE the admissions counselor told me to get a passing score and move on. She also told me a few feet on a basketball ball throw will not get you in or keep you out.
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So what’s the minimum? I’m not trying to slack, I just don’t want to fail.
 
Have you tried out any of the above suggestions or are you just asking more questions?
 
Wishful said:
Have you tried out any of the above suggestions or are you just asking more questions?
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I have practiced strength training, and technique as everyone has suggested. It's only been about a month, but I can still only get 30 feet which is why I'm so eager to know if it's a failing score or not.
 
As you should know, the Academy Admissions website states that the max distance for the throw is 66', the goal is 42', & "below average performance may be disqualifying". What do these facts mean to you? The word minimum isn't used anywhere because they don't publish those #'s; (something you would have found out if you did the research) only the above info is given so you have to interpret it. I interpret the info to mean you need 12 more feet & you'll be at the goal distance. Since as you say you're "solid on every other event" & "it's only been about a month", keep practicing the throw & in another month, see where you are. Technique & core strength.

"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. "
-- Jimmy Dugan, "A League of Their Own"
 
Collegestudent16 said:
So only being able to throw 30 feet means I’m definitely failing that section?
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That I don't actually know. They do not publish the minimums because they don't want you striving for them, they want you striving for the max. I would go for that average '42, you're not that far off. With a medicine ball you'll squeeze out a couple feet and improved technique should get you there.

Best of luck!
 
I used the term minimum incorrectly. When I was taking the test I wanted to max everything but considered avg. as the minimum. My point was with a little practice and trying different techniques I went from 30 feet to over 40.
 
Practice as often as possible. It really is all technique. I am 5’4” and 120 lbs. I managed 65 feet.

Look up videos of how soccer goalies throw.
 
Spoke to DD, she said it's all in twisting the hips.
 
It is far different than a baseball throw. The energy needs to be generated from your midsection like with a javelin throw. My son experimented a lot, and adjusted his knees a bit so that they were not exactly parallel with the line. He found this to be more helpful in the way he threw. The bottom line is practicing it over and over again and doing that several weekends consecutively. My son and I went to the high school at least once a week and spent time working on all of the exercises in the CFA. The basketball throw is something you can definitely improve on just with practice. For sure you should be able to improve your distance enough to get at least a passing score if you practice it. Just have someone with you to retrieve the ball and roll it back to you between throws. Although my son never did this, I do like the suggestion above to throw a medicine ball. My only concern with that would be that you injure yourself somehow. So be careful.
 
......another thing to work on when practicing is the last second, right before the ball leaves your hand, flicking your wrist. That little flick can add several feet to the distance.
 
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