Influencing Factors of Free-Throw Shooting Accuracy Among Grade 10 Students

Abstract

Free-throw shooting is a fundamental basketball skill that reflects not only technical proficiency but also the interaction of psychological, physiological, and anthropometric characteristics of learners. Yet relatively few studies have examined skill-specific technical tasks such as free-throw shooting, particularly among adolescent learners in school physical education settings. This study examined the combined influence of self-efficacy in free-throw shooting, upper-body strength, and body mass index (BMI) on the free-throw accuracy of Grade 10 students. Guided by a descriptive–predictive (correlational) research design, the study involved 146 students selected through systematic random sampling. They completed a free-throw self-efficacy questionnaire, an upper-body strength assessment using a push-up test transformed through the Epley equation, standard BMI computation, and a 20-shot free-throw performance test. Results showed that students exhibited generally moderate self-efficacy, fair upper-body strength, normal but low-leaning BMI values, and fair shooting accuracy. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the overall regression model was statistically significant, F(3,142) = 13.244, p < .001, with the three predictors collectively explaining 21.9% of the variance in free-throw shooting accuracy (R² = 0.219). Self-efficacy (β = 0.266) and upper-body strength (β = 0.302) were significant positive predictors, whereas BMI (β = −0.250) was a significant negative predictor. Self-efficacy and upper-body strength significantly and positively predicted free-throw accuracy, whereas BMI demonstrated a significant negative effect. These findings validate the assumptions of Social Cognitive Theory, Kinetic Chain Theory, and Physiological Efficiency Theory by illustrating how psychological readiness, muscular capacity, and body composition collectively shape performance in precision-based sport tasks. Future research should focus on evaluating the impact of integrating psychological skills and training, strength-building exercises, and regular BMI monitoring into physical education programs on students’ basketball performance.