The average height of an NBA player is 6 feet 6 inches. Their wingspan, however, can be different from their height. Wingspan is the distance between a player’s outstretched fingertips. In this lesson, students will explore if their height & wingspan are the same or different.
1.
How tall are you?
2.
Is it important to be tall in basketball?
3.
Have you ever measured your wingspan?
1.
My wingspan measures _________________inches.
My height measures _________________inches.
2.
Are your height & wingspan the same? If so, what is the difference?
1.
Have students watch the video below on how to measure your height & wingspan:
2.
Have students grab a partner. Have one of the students stretch out their arms to the side and the other student measure their wingspan (from fingertip to fingertip). Then have the student stand up straight and the other student measure their height from the bottom of their foot to the top of your head.
3.
Record the results on the worksheet and switch with their partner.
Graph
Have students record their results using the graphs below in inches:
Additional Items for Consideration
Student Reflection Questions
1.
What did you learn about your height as it relates to your wingspan?
2.
How did your height & wingspan compare to your partner and to the rest of the class?
Student Reflection Questions
•
New York Knicks Team Roster
•
Check out the heights of the players on the New York Knicks Team Roster:
Student Reflection Questions
•
Have students jump up as high as they can reaching their arm out. Measure how far they went and record the results. Compare results with the entire class!
Top 10 Craziest NBA Wingspans
ESPN Sports Science: JaVale McGee Wingspan
ESPN Sports Science: Derrick Rose
Worksheet Answers
