The SPARQ Basketball Protocol is designed to test basketball-specific measurements of athleticism; to reveal in the most accurate, relevant way possible what you need to do to change and elevate your game. The following are the 2008 SPARQ Boys´ Basketball Testing Protocols. If you have any questions about the rating or protocols, post your question in the message boards.
The following are the updated 2008 SPARQ Boys’ Basketball Testing Protocols. To download the 2008 Boys’ Basketball Protocol Sheet (PDF) click here .
Lane Agility Drill:
Nobody stands around in basketball. Whether you're scrambling for a loose ball, running the zone or back on defense, before you can sink a shot or make that steal, you need the agility to cut around, to get open, to put on the moves and surpass your opponent on the court.
The Lane Agility Drill tests your ability to change direction quickly while maintaining body control. And whether you’re running offense or defense, getting in and out of turns, driving past the defense at the top of the key or driving along the baseline — crisp agility and superior body control are necessary to excel in basketball.
Kneeling Power Ball Throw:
Where does the power come from to fire off an accurate pass or absorb and return punishing collisions under the hoop? Your core. The Kneeling Power Ball Throw is a measure of your ability to recruit power from your core and express it through your arms and shoulders. More power recruited means more power transferred to the ball. Or, to your opponent.
Every position in hoops requires solid core strength and the ability to tap into it. A successful Kneeling Power Ball Throw indicates you're a player with potential to help your team bring down rebounds, pop off jumpers, or drive the lane with authority.
¾-Court Sprint:
The 3/4 – Court Sprint measures linear acceleration and "off the mark" speed. Possession in basketball can turn on a dime, one second you're back on defense, the next you're speeding up court on a 3 on 2 fast-break. Acceleration and speed are key to chasing down that loose ball, keeping numbers on a fast-break and finishing.
Time of possession is key – if you're controlling possession, you're controlling the game. In hoops, acceleration and speed will often dictate possession, and decisive game situations. Blaze through the ¾–Court Sprint and you're on your way to being a game-changer
No-Step Vertical Jump:
Sure, in hoops you gotta have hops. But what does that mean? It isn’t just about how high you can jump, but about how much power you have in your lower body, and that's what the No-Step Vertical Jump reveals. Lower body power is as key to quick acceleration up and down the court as it is to winning the tip, blocking a shot or snagging a rebound.
SPARQ combines your body weight with your vertical jump height to calculate Peak Power. Putting weight into the equation adds another dimension to the results, moving it beyond simply measuring inches.
Think of it this way: A compact point guard might put up a vert that is 4 inches higher than an imposing power forward, but the forward is moving a larger object (himself) a comparatively greater distance, demonstrating a higher level of Peak Power. And that will make all the difference in the battle of the boards.
Multi-Stage Hurdle:
Here's the gut check – a test that pushes you to the edge of your endurance and reveals your ability to quickly recover. Basketball is full of high-intensity bursts of speed and power, with minimal recovery time before you're required to hit it again.
The Multi-Stage Hurdle mimics the energy demands on the court and in the game. Success in this test will tell you if you'll be the one setting the pace, or if you'll be struggling just to keep up.
Max Touch
Length is frequently talked about as an aspect of a hoop player's overall athleticism. But what does it mean – is it how tall you are, your reach or how high you can jump? Length is a quality where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. It means you can take up space, be a monster on the board and play above the rim.
Much like going in for a layup or to block a shot, Max Touch measures jumping ability with a limited approach to the goal (in this case, a Vertec). What it reveals is a synergy of the physical gifts of height and wingspan with the athletic skills of explosive leg power and coordinated jumping mechanics.
Height/Weight:
SPARQ records height and weight to help classify you in relation to your peers and to correlate with other test variables. Additionally, the weight of your muscle and bones is directly related to the amount of exertion you experience during the course of a game.
SPARQ combines your body weight with your vertical jump height to calculate Peak Power, a key indicator in difference making abilities like acceleration and quick-burst speed.
