Phase-Specific Kinematic Characteristics of the Stride-Stop Jump Shot Across Different Skill Levels in Basketball

PurposeThis study extends previous basketball shooting research by providing a comprehensive phase-specific kinematic analysis of the stride-stop jump shot (SJS) across different skill levels, addressing a critical gap in understanding how movement coordination varies with expertise. Specifically, the aims were to (i) identify phase-related kinematic differences among players of varying skill levels and (ii) determine key biomechanical features associated with higher-level SJS performance.MethodsThirty-six male basketball players were categorized into high-level (HLG), mid-level (MLG), and low-level (LLG) groups. Each participant performed five successful SJS trials while wearing a full-body inertial motion capture system. Phase durations, temporal coordination parameters, ball-release characteristics, and joint angles were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models with Bonferroni-adjusted post hoc comparisons.ResultsGroup effects were observed for catch-preparation, stabilization, release-phase, and follow-through durations (p = 0.001-0.042). The largest between-group difference in phase duration was observed during catch preparation, with LLG exceeding MLG by 0.103 s. HLG spent 0.033 s longer in stabilization and 0.013 s longer in follow-through than LLG. For temporal coordination, T₁ was 0.075 s shorter in HLG and 0.067 s shorter in MLG than in LLG (p ≤ 0.024), whereas T₄ showed an overall group effect without significant pairwise differences. Shooting-hand release height was 0.223 m higher in HLG and 0.165 m higher in MLG than in LLG, and spin rate was 0.360 and 0.434 rev/s higher, respectively (p ≤ 0.035). Key HLG-LLG joint-angle differences ranged from 8.48° to 14.34° across hip, shoulder, trunk, and wrist variables.ConclusionHigh-level players showed shorter bilateral landing intervals than low-level players, longer stabilization and follow-through phases, higher shooting-hand release height and ball spin rate, and distinct phase-specific joint-angle characteristics during the SJS. These findings describe temporal and kinematic patterns associated with higher skill levels and may provide potential reference values for technique analysis, skill development, and inform talent identification and player selection practices. Practitioners may consider these descriptive features when evaluating footwork synchronization, shooting-hand release height, and upper-limb coordination in developing athletes.