Abstract
This study was done to ascertain ball preferences of ten-year-old children and to assess whether their preferences were related to their skill in shooting, score attained, or some other factor. 77 children recruited from a rural community and also from the National Youth Sports Program volunteered to participate. Subjects were videotaped as they shot five free throws using in random order a men's, a women's, and a junior standard basketball. A shooting score and a technique score were recorded. Children preferred a ball smaller than the one they normally used; prior experience with a basketball did not seem to influence point scoring. Most subjects were unable to use technically correct mechanics to shoot free throws. There may be considerable improvement in children's shooting technique if instruction is given and a junior size basketball used.
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