The explosive power of the legs and its relationship with types of shooting in basketball

Background: Basketball performance relies heavily on explosive power, coordination, and technical skill. Shooting is a critical determinant of game outcomes, and explosive leg power is essential for achieving high shooting efficiency. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between explosive leg power and shooting performance across different types of shots in basketball. Methods: Ten male players from the University of Basrah basketball team (mean age: 23.5 ± 2.56 years) participated in the study. Explosive leg power was assessed using the vertical jump test, while shooting performance was evaluated through three types of shots: three-point shots, jump shots inside the arc, and lay-ups. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was calculated to determine the relationships (p ≤ 0.05). Results: Significant positive correlations were found between explosive leg power and all shooting types: three-point shots (r = 0.849), jump shots inside the arc (r = 0.921), and lay-ups (r = 0.945), indicating that higher leg power is associated with better shooting performance. Conclusions: Explosive leg power is strongly linked to shooting accuracy and performance. Therefore, coaches should incorporate plyometric and explosive strength training into basketball programs to enhance players’ shooting skills and overall performance.