Fitness Testing

Fitness Testing > Tests > Speed & Power > Ball Throw

Cricket Ball or Baseball Throw Test

The test involves throwing a small ball (cricket ball or baseball) for maximum distance. This is an anaerobic fitness test. The Cricket Ball Throw Test is part of the eTID Talent Identification Testing Program for the sport of athletics (Track and Field), and their protocol is listed here.

• aim: This test measures power, particularly of the upper body, and evaluates throwing distance and technique.

• equipment required: Standard leather cricket ball, witches hats/cone or marking tape, tape measure, clear open area for testing.

• description / procedure: Mark a line using two witches hats as the line the subject has to throw from. Subjects are allowed a 10 m run-up. Following the run-up, subjects must throw the ball without crossing the line. If the line is crossed the throw is deemed a foul. Two practise throws are allowed and three measurements are made

• scoring: The distance from the starting line to where the ball first lands is recorded. The measurement is recorded to the nearest meter. The best result of three throws is recorded.

• target population: throwing athletics events, and other sports in which upper body power is important.

• advantages: this test is easy and quick to perform for an individual, with the equipment required cheap.

• disadvantages: two assistants are needed to conduct this test smoothly: one to mark results, another to collect and return the balls. If testing a large group of subjects, it can be time consuming to put all of them through this test.

• comments: The angle the ball is thrown is important. You may want to explain to the subject about the optimal angle for maximal distance, and to allow some practice attempts.

Related Pages

• about the eTID Talent Identification Testing Program.
• eTID Fitness Testing for Athletics
• Medicine and Power Ball Fitness Tests
• other speed and power tests
• all fitness test list

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