Purpose:
The study compared the performance of basketball jump shots between children and adults.

Methods:
A kinematic analysis was used to evaluate shots performance (2D; sagittal plane; 100 Hz). A biomechanical model (6 points and 4 body segments) provided the shoulder, elbow, and wrist angular displacements and velocities.

Results:
Children performed simultaneous movements of the shoulder-elbow-wrist joints to release the ball. Adults executed a countermovement around the elbow and wrist, but with greater constraint around the shoulder joint. This strategy may have allowed adults to achieve higher release, smaller variability, and better accuracy.

Conclusions:
Differences in performance between adults and children were explained by the participants’ physical characteristics and time of practice (experience).