Exploring Expert–Novice Differences in Basketball Free Throw Performance among University Students: A Comparative Study Based on Skill Clustering
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63750/evq0e467Keywords:
basketball, free throw, motor learning, performance stability, expert–novice paradigm, skill clusteringAbstract
Objective: Grounded in the expert–novice paradigm of motor learning, this study compared first-year general university students and second-year basketball majors in terms of free throw accuracy, performance stability, and skill-cluster distribution, and examined how different training backgrounds shape performance structure. Methods: A cross-sectional design was employed with 326 participants (184 general students, mixed gender; 142 basketball majors, male). All completed three standardized free throw tests (11 attempts per trial). Independent-samples t tests and Cohen's d assessed between-group differences. Technical stability was measured using the coefficient of variation (CV), and skill clusters were categorized using percentile ranks (bottom 25% = low, middle 50% = moderate, top 25% = high). Chi-square tests examined distribution differences. Results: Basketball majors significantly outperformed general students across all trials (p < .001), with effect sizes ranging from moderate to large (d = 0.67–0.87), increasing across trials. Majors demonstrated significantly lower CV values (0.46–0.50 vs. 0.66–0.75), indicating superior stability. Skill-cluster analysis revealed a significantly higher proportion of majors in the high-skill group (50.7% vs. 34.8%, p < .05). Conclusion: Long-term specialized training enhances not only average accuracy but also performance stability and distribution structure. Incorporating stability indicators and skill-based grouping into physical education may improve instructional effectiveness.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Wen-Zhong Wang (Author)
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