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Effects of preshot routine on free-throw shooting
W F Gayton1, K L Cielinski, W J Francis-Keniston
1Department of Psychology, University of Southern Maine, Portland 04103.
Perceptual and Motor Skills
|February 1, 1989
Summary
Prohibiting a preshot routine negatively impacts free-throw performance in competitive basketball. Athletes performed significantly better using their routine compared to shooting without it under pressure.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Motor Learning
- Psychology
Background:
- Preshot routines are common in sports for performance consistency.
- The impact of removing these routines in competitive settings is less understood.
- Previous research suggests anxiety can impair motor skill execution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of prohibiting preshot routines on free-throw shooting.
- To examine how competitive situations influence free-throw performance without a routine.
Main Methods:
- 25 male high school basketball players participated.
- Subjects shot 50 free throws, alternating between using and not using their preshot routine.
- A competitive element was introduced by running subjects in groups and recording performance publicly.
Main Results:
- Significantly more baskets were made when using a preshot routine.
- Competitive situations caused a greater performance decrement than in non-competitive settings.
- Removing the routine led to poorer free-throw accuracy.
Conclusions:
- Preshot routines are beneficial for free-throw performance, especially in competitive environments.
- Competitive pressure exacerbates the negative effects of abandoning a preshot routine.
- Interventions should consider the role of routines in managing performance under pressure.
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