Agility Cone Drill:

You're running point against a team with a tight defense, and the shot clock's ticking. What skill do you need to create an opening and get around your man? Agility. Nobody stands around in basketball. Whether you're scrambling for a loose ball, running an offensive zone drill or protecting your net in defensive play, before you can sink a shot you need the agility to cut around, to get open, to put on the moves and surpass your opponent on the court.

The Agility Cone Drill tests your ability to break; to reverse direction, to keep moving, to change direction again, and to maintain body control the whole time.

A good Agility Cone Drill time indicates you are a versatile, able athlete for all positions of the game. 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 – good body control and agility are necessary to excel in basketball.

Over the Back Power Ball Throw:

Where does the power come from to shoot the 3-point line over and over again? Your core. The Over the Back Power Ball Throw is a measure of your core strength, as well as your total body power. The more power you recruit in your core means more power you can transfer to the ball; which means the further out you can shoot.

And core strength in a basketball athlete translates to power in all positions, not just in taking shots. Whether you're a strong center or an explosive shooting guard, a successful Over the Back Power Ball Throw indicates you're a player with potential to help your team bring down rebounds, shoot 3-pointers, or drive an offense.

20-Meter Dash:

The 20-Meter Dash measures both your speed as well as your acceleration. This translates to how fast you can hustle up the court after the rebound as well as how quickly you can react to a sudden change of possession, or gain even a half-step on your opponent over a chase for a loose ball.

And in basketball, acceleration and speed will often dictate the outcome of decisive game situations. After all, you can't sink shots without possession. As soon as the rebound is made you need to get up the court for the next play. A good 20-Meter Dash time indicates you can help your team maintain the edge through not just quick but fast feet on the court.

One-Step Vertical Jump:

SPARQ tests the One-Step Vertical Jump not only to measure explosive lower-body power, but to see who can get up there in a game that pretty much demands athletes who can fly.

Unlike a Standing Vertical Jump, the SPARQ Rating for Basketball uses a One-Step Vertical Jump to capture and measure what hops you have when executing game-like play; whether you're running a layup, jumping for the ball, or getting up there to bring it down on a rebound.

30 Second Endurance Jump:

Are you playing the better part of four quarters or are you getting taken out after two minutes of game time? Without the endurance to control --if not keep up-- a fast-paced game of quick breaks and fast turnover, you're not going to see much game time, no matter how great your skills are.

The 30 Second Endurance Jump tests your endurance as well as your explosiveness and power to repeat a powerful burst, over and over again. A high score on the Endurance Jump means not only won't you tire out chasing a strong team setting a quick tempo, but you'll be the one setting the pace.

Height Measurement:

SPARQ takes height into account in the Basketball Rating because of the unique aerial demands of the sport. It's no secret --and no surprise– that a player with some height has an advantage on the basketball court.

But that doesn't mean a little gal has never outmaneuvered his taller opponent before, and it doesn't mean that height translates directly to making baskets. (In fact, the next generation of SPARQ Rating for Basketball does not include height in its testing battery.) The SPARQ Rating for Basketball includes height as one of many performance indicators that together reveal your athletic strengths and weaknesses in basketball.