The Relationship Between Maximum Ball Throwing Speed and

Shooting Accuracy and Expert Assessment of Basic Shot

Technique in Handball

Igor Gruić and Tomislav Jonjić

University of Zagreb, Faculty of Kinesiology, Horvaćanski zavoj 15, Zagreb, Croatia

Keywords: Handball, Ball Speed, Shooting Accuracy, Handgrip Strength, Expert Assessment, Anthropometry, Throwing

Technique.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between anthropometric characteristics, handgrip

strength, ball exit speed, shooting accuracy, and expert assessment of the basic handball shot technique. The

research was conducted on a sample of 88 first-year students at the Faculty of Kinesiology. Measurements

included ball speed (radar-based), shooting accuracy (goal segment scoring system), handgrip strength

(dynamometer), and expert technique assessment (video evaluation). The results showed a significant

correlation between expert assessment and ball speed, as well as a moderate correlation between certain

anthropometric measures and ball velocity. No significant relationship was found between handgrip strength

and shooting accuracy. In conclusion, technical execution and body characteristics play an important role in

generating a powerful and effective handball shot, while shooting accuracy appears to rely on additional

specific qualities beyond physical abilities alone.

1 INTRODUCTION

Handball is a complex, high-intensity team sport

characterized by explosive actions, speed, precision,

and situational decision-making (Rogulj, 2020;

Žakula & Jovanović, 2018). Shot velocity is a crucial

performance determinant, as faster shots reduce the

goalkeeper's reaction time and increase scoring

potential (Marczinka, 1993; Zapartidis et al., 2009).

Technical execution of the shot, particularly the basic

standing shot, involves a complex sequence of

coordinated movements known as the kinetic chain,

including trunk rotation, arm swing, and timed weight

transfer (Rogulj & Foretić, 2007; Wagner et al.,

2011). The efficiency of this chain significantly

influences both ball velocity and shooting accuracy.

In addition, grip strength is recognized as a proxy for

upper body strength and plays a role in ball control

and release mechanics (Visnapuu et al., 2007; Koley,

Gandhi & Singh, 2008). While previous studies have

explored the relationship between shot speed and

technique (Bjelobrk Menčik et al., 2014; Van den

Tillaar, 2020), less attention has been given to how

anthropometric traits and grip strength relate to

expert-assessed technical quality and shooting

precision, especially in untrained or novice players.

This study aims to address that gap by investigating

these variables in the context of the basic handball

shot.

The objective of this study was to examine the

relationships between selected anthropometric

characteristics, handgrip strength, ball release speed,

shooting accuracy, and expert assessment of shot

technique in handball.

The focus was placed on

evaluating how these variables contribute to the

performance of the basic handball shot, including

both standing and jump shots.

Although all

participants were kinesiology students, their sporting

backgrounds varied. Some had experience in ball

games such as football, volleyball, and basketball,

while others practiced combat sports or cyclic

activities such as swimming and athletics. This

variability provided a diverse sample in terms of

technical proficiency and familiarity with handball

techniques This research aimed to determine to what

extent physical attributes and technical proficiency

influence shot velocity and accuracy among

kinesiology students.

Considering the aim of the study the hypotheses

were formulated - that (H1) there is a statistically

Grui

c, I. and Jonji

c, T.

The Relationship Between Maximum Ball Throwing Speed and Shooting Accuracy and Expert Assessment of Basic Shot Technique in Handball.

DOI: 10.5220/0013835500003988

Paper published under CC license (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)

In Proceedings of the 13th International Conference on Sport Sciences Research and Technology Support (icSPORTS 2025), pages 265-268

ISBN: 978-989-758-771-9; ISSN: 2184-3201

265

significant correlation between expert assessment of

shot technique and both ball release speed and

shooting accuracy, (H2) there is a statistically

significant correlation between individual

anthropometric characteristics and maximum ball

release speed, and (H3) there is a statistically

significant correlation between handgrip strength and

shooting accuracy.

2 MATERIALS AND METHODS

The research was conducted on a sample of 88 male

first-year students of the Faculty of Kinesiology,

University of Zagreb, with an average age of 19.45

years, body height

182.63±6.15, body weight

76.95±8.06

. Participants were engaged in various

sports at different levels and voluntarily agreed to

participate in the study.

The study aimed to determine the relationship

between anthropometric characteristics, handgrip

strength, ball release speed, shooting accuracy, and

expert assessment of shot technique in handball. Ball

release speed was measured using a Stalker ATS II

radar gun in four shooting conditions: seated shot

from 4 meters, standing shot from 6 meters, standing

shot with approach from 9 meters, and jump shot

from 9 meters. Participants were instructed to

prioritize maximum ball speed while still attempting

to maintain accuracy. Each 1

Expert assesment of shooting technique (basic

jump and shot jump) was based on video recordings

taken from the side view. Three experienced handball

experts independently evaluated each participant's

best attempt using a predefined set of criteria. The

assesment included the following parameters: ball

control, stance, movement phases, gross

coordination, fine coordination, execution

speed/power and situational applicability (Gruić,

Vrbik, 2018).

Data was processed using Statistica software.

Normality of distributions was checked with the

Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, and relationships between

variables were analyzed using Spearman’s correlation

coefficient. A significance level of p < 0.05 was

adopted.

3 RESULTS

The results showed significant positive correlations

between expert assessment of shooting technique and

ball release speed across all shooting types. The

strongest relationship was observed between the

standing shot rating and ball speed (ρ = 0.49, p <

0.01), followed by seated shot (ρ = 0.35, p < 0.01) and

jump shot (ρ = 0.34, p < 0.01). These findings

suggest

that technically better-executed shots tend to result in

higher ball velocities.

Table 1: Descriptive statistics.

Variab le

Mean ±SD

Arm Span 182,81±7,75

Thumb-Small Finger Span (cm) 22,96±1,32

Thumb-Ring Finger Span (cm) 23,02±1,44

Thumb-Middle Finger Span (cm) 22,54±1,50

Thumb-Index Finger Span (cm) 19,93±1,57

Handgrip Strength (kg) 44,30±8,53

Ball Speed (Seated shot) (km/h) 48,17±6,14

Ball Speed (Stance shot) (km/h) 64,21±8,08

Ball Speed (Basic shot) (km/h) 71,03±7,81

Ball Speed (Jump shot) (km/h) 66,87±7,39

Accuracy (Stance Shot)(points) 1,83±0,69

Accuracy (Basic Shot)(points) 1,54±0,71

Accuracy (Jump Shot)(points) 1,93±0,66

Expert rating (Stand shot)(points) 4,96±1,48

Expert rating (Jump shot)(points) 5,02±1,45

Handgrip strength (first trial) demonstrated a

moderate correlation with ball speed in all four

shooting variants, with values ranging from ρ = 0.37

to ρ = 0.49 (p < 0.01). The strongest association was

found between handgrip strength and ball speed in the

seated shot (ρ = 0.49), indicating that upper body

force transmission is crucial in this isolated condition.

Similarly, body mass and arm span were moderately

correlated with ball speed, especially in standing and

jump shots (e.g., body mass and standing shot: ρ =

0.40, p < 0.01; arm span and jump shot: ρ = 0.35, p <

0.01).

In contrast, shooting accuracy showed no

statistically significant correlation with expert

technique ratings, handgrip strength, or

anthropometric characteristics. For instance, the

correlation between expert rating and standing shot

accuracy was only ρ = 0.16 (p > 0.05), while handgrip

strength and accuracy were weakly and inconsistently

related (e.g., ρ = –0.05). Some hand span measures

showed negative correlations with accuracy (e.g.,

thumb to middle finger span and jump shot accuracy:

ρ = –0.26), but these were not statistically significant.

These results suggest that shooting accuracy may

depend on perceptual-motor coordination and

icSPORTS 2025 - 13th International Conference on Sport Sciences Research and Technology Support

266

cognitive factors, rather than physical or technical

parameters alone.

Table 2: Spearman (ρ) Correlation between expert ratings

from basic stance shot and ball speed from different setups.

Variab le

ρ p

ER - Standing shot ball speed 0.49 < 0.01

ER- Seated shot ball speed 0.35 < 0.01

ER - Jump shot ball speed 0.34 < 0.01

Table 3: Spearman (ρ) Correlation between physical

attributes and ball speed.

Variable pair ρ

Handgrip Strength–Seated Shot 0.49 <0.01

Handgrip Strength–Stance Shot 0.45 <0.01

Body Mass –Basic Shot 0.40 <0.01

Arm Span – Jump Shot 0.35 <0.01

Table 4: Spearman (ρ) Correlation with shooting accuracy

(non-significant).

Variable pair ρ

Expert rating (Basic shot)- Accuracy 0.16 >0.05

Handgrip Strength-Accuracy (Basic Shot) -0.05 >0.05

Body Mass- Accuracy (Jump shot) 0.11 >0.05

Thumb- Middle Finger Span- Accuracy

(Jump shot)

-0.26 >0.05

4 DISCUSSION AND

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study indicate that the technical

quality of handball shooting, as assessed by expert

evaluators, is significantly associated with ball

release speed in all shooting conditions. This finding

underscores the key role of proper technique in

generating higher shot velocity. Physical attributes

such as handgrip strength, body mass, and arm span

also showed moderate positive correlations with ball

speed, particularly in power-dependent shooting

variants.

In this context, standing and jump shots can

be considered power-dependent variants, as they

require coordinated whole-body force transmission,

while the seated shot isolates the throwing arm and

minimizes contribution from the lower body

In contrast, shooting accuracy did not

significantly correlate with physical or technical

variables, suggesting that precision depends more on

perceptual-motor abilities, decision-making, and

game awareness than on physical strength or

biomechanical form alone.

These insights are particularly relevant for

coaches working with younger age groups, where

shooting technique is still being developed. The

findings emphasize the importance of prioritizing

technical skill acquisition in early training phases, as

well as distinguishing between exercises aimed at

improving shot power versus those intended to enhance

accuracy. By understanding which factors most strongly

influence shot performance, coaches can better structure

training sessions to support long-term player development.

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