{"id":613,"date":"2026-05-21T19:08:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-21T19:08:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/drouki.com\/?p=613"},"modified":"2026-05-21T19:08:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T19:08:00","slug":"why-do-military-candidates-grab-basketballs-from-their-knees-for-physical-fitness-tests","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/drouki.com\/?p=613","title":{"rendered":"Why do military candidates grab basketballs from their knees for physical fitness tests?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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4 minute read<\/span><\/div>\n

various branches<\/strong> U.S. military health standards are measured by a variety of physical assessments, including: Army Physical Fitness Test (AFT)<\/u>, Marine Corps Physical Fitness Test (PFT)<\/u>,and Candidate Fitness Assessment (CFA)<\/u> For admission to service academies such as West Point. These tests aren’t just the push-ups, pull-ups, burpees, and 1.5-mile runs you’re familiar with from war movies and boot camp scenes from YouTube clips. But if you can’t manage it, Murph<\/u>one of the military fitness tests that the average man can try is throwing a basketball.<\/p>\n

was introduced in 1975<\/u> As part of the six-part candidate physical fitness assessment required for admission to the U.S. Military Academy, throwing a basketball may seem odd compared to other physical skills. trap bar deadlift<\/u>. Here’s how it works: The cadet leans back from a kneeling position and throws a basketball with one hand. They’re not trying to bring it into the loop. The goal is to shoot as far as possible. This tests the brand of functional explosive force required for military missions such as kneeling and throwing grenades. “There are many types of grenades, from smoke grenades to explosives. Sometimes you need to be able to throw them a long distance,” he explains. Stew Smith, CSCS<\/u>former Navy SEAL.<\/p>\n

Without a combat background, the test seems introductory. harlem globetrotters<\/u> exercise. But while it may not seem like much, video<\/u> on social media<\/u>it’s not easy to dominate this throw. The best, longest, most powerful throws in any sport (and any piece of equipment) utilize the power of your hips. By forcing you to kneel, throwing a military basketball eliminates almost all of the power in your lower back.<\/p>\n

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The effect of this throw, Smith said, is to concentrate power in the upper body. “It’s a way to measure trajectory power and strength, but it’s also a great way to measure how far you can throw something and whether you have a durable shoulder girdle,” Smith says. He recalls asking the late Ed Peary, the legendary Naval Academy wrestling coach, in 1996 about the purpose of throwing a basketball. Peary’s answer was, “It measures athletic ability.” “I think he’s right,” Smith recalled. “I’ve taken this test hundreds of times, and I can tell you that the best athletes perform the best in their sport.”<\/p>\n

It also tests how well you are using your spine, he says. M.H.<\/em> Fitness Director Ebenezer Samuel, CSCS “You can’t explode from the hips with this throw, so you have to generate the whip-like power from somewhere else,” Samuel says. “Your body instead relies on two other key mechanisms: a deep twist of your shoulders and a powerful arch and then rounding of your spine.”<\/p>\n

Translation: Successful completion of this test requires considerable mobility. “A really easy way to get better at this test is to attack the cat cow and have Spider-Man charge,” Samuel says.<\/p>\n

Unlike Smith, Rob Scholl, who completed a basketball throwing test in 1985 as part of his admission to the Coast Guard Academy, always found the test to be a somewhat unusual measure of athletic ability. “I haven’t seen this in other tactical athlete fitness assessments. I’ve designed training plans for dozens of athletes,” he says. as the founder of Mountain Tactics Institute<\/u>Scholl has developed training programs for military and law enforcement agencies and has helped prepare cadets to throw basketball. So before you throw the ball, scholl stocks<\/u> 5 tips for long shots.<\/p>\n

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  1. Once you are in a comfortable kneeling position, instead of trying to balance the ball on your palms, bend your wrists and place the ball between your hands and forearms. This is a safer way to confidently hold the ball before throwing, regardless of hand size.<\/li>\n
  2. When you’re ready to throw, be careful not to bend your elbow and throw the basketball like you would a baseball or soccer. In other words, if you’re winding up like a pitcher or quarterback, you’re doing it wrong. The key is to keep your arms and elbows as extended as possible when tossing the ball.<\/li>\n
  3. Make a fist with your non-dominant hand and move your elbow down and to the side as you throw. This creates “upper body rotational power” that allows you to throw farther, Scholl says.<\/li>\n
  4. To add power to the back of the throw, Scholl recommends leaning back and then pulling your body forward. To maintain balance and control the ball, keep your core muscles engaged and lean back only as far as is comfortable.<\/li>\n
  5. Finally, you’re ready to throw the basketball. For best results, Scholl has found that generally releasing the ball at a 45-degree angle provides the greatest distance.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Granted, you’re not trying to get into West Point, but the average scores there are: 69 feet for men<\/u> For women it is 43 feet. “I don’t know about your first try, but if you improve your technique, you’ll probably get a good score,” Scholl said. CFA Basketball Test Worth Noting need<\/u> Also consider your own timing, as cadets must complete three tosses within two minutes.<\/p>\n

    conclusion<\/h2>\n

    basketball throw can seems to be<\/em> It’s easier than other forms of military tactical exercises, in part because you’re not working for personnel or time. Instead, it’s about having your upper body work as a unit for a few perfect seconds.<\/p>\n

    But figuring out how to make that moment your own, at least to do it well, can be extremely difficult. With basketball accessible to most people and low risk of injury, there’s no reason not to (wait for it) try this move. Consider this one of those airballs that you could argue was intentionally thrown.<\/p>\n

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    \"Lauren<\/span><\/p>\n
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    Lauren Vinopal is a Chicago-based writer whose work has been published in the following magazines: GQ, Slate, Mel Magazine<\/em>,others.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n