Enthused by the possibilities of baselines, statistics and indisputable quantitative improvement, Day Three of the 2.6 challenge commenced in bright sunlight, no wind and a dry forecourt. Perfect conditions to build on the 87.500000% improvement of yesterday of 0.57692308 BPM and a baseline effort score of 0.07731959 BPA.
Some 189 throws and 26 minutes later however, I was looking at a miserable two baskets achieved. Two! After the amazing step forward of the previous day of 15! What had gone wrong?
I could comfort myself though with a new statistic: the number of near misses. Yvonne, my independent invigilator, recorded the number of occasions in which the ball hit the hoop but failed to succumb to the invitation to fall through the net and this generated a more cheering statistic: a whopping 87 near misses!
Even if it’s another baseline, it is at least an indication that given another couple of centimetres, the success rate could increase again rapidly. The question remains though: centimetres of what? Elbow extension? Arm height? Standing to the left? Standing to the right? The possible variations multiplied at an astonishing rate but unfortunately, I was still left with a sobering 0.07692308 BPM: i.e. a chronic 86.666666recurring % collapse of performance. Back to the mentor, coach and as many YouTube videos as possible over the next 24 hours.
Mark Twain quoted that Benjamin Disraeli, the former British PM, claimed there are lies, damned lies and statistics but I’m pretty sure that he had never tried shooting a few basketballs in his spare time.
(Whether he inspired the performance of the Bridgewater Eagles though is another matter.)
You can find out why I’m involved in the 2.6 Challenge – and how you can help – here.
Dr Nick Owen MBE PLUS 