
Standing reach is an important measurement in basketball, as it determines a player's ability to get shots off against a defender and make blocks, passes, and deflections on defense. It is calculated by having the athlete stand flat-footed, reaching up with one arm, and measuring the highest point they can touch. There are some variations in the measurement process, such as whether to be barefoot or wear shoes, and whether to use one or two arms to reach. The median NBA player has a standing reach about 1.335 times their height, but there are players with far longer arms, which gives them an advantage on the court.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Standing reach measures how high someone can reach with their hands while standing flat-footed. |
| Importance | Standing reach is important in basketball because it determines how easily a player can get shots off against a defender. It is also helpful on defense, as it allows players to deter shots, deflect passes, or make highlight blocks with greater ease. |
| Calculation | To calculate standing reach, add the height of the individual to the arm reach of the individual (SR = H + AR). |
| Measurement Process | Stand flat-footed, reach up with one arm, and mark the highest point reached on a wall. Then, measure the mark on the wall. |
| Average Ratio | The median basketball player in the NBA Draft Combine has a standing reach about 1.335 times as long as their height. |
| Notable Examples | As of March 2017, Rudy Gobert had a standing reach of 9' 9", while Tyler Ullis had a standing reach of 7' 4.75". |
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What You'll Learn
- Standing reach is a measurement of how high someone can reach with their hands while standing flat-footed
- It is calculated by adding the height of the individual to the length of their arm reach
- The median basketball player in the NBA Draft Combine has a standing reach about 1.335 times their height
- A good way to measure standing reach is to stand beside a wall, reach as high as possible, and mark the wall with a pencil
- Standing reach is often the first step in measuring vertical jump using a Vertec or Jump & Reach test

Standing reach is a measurement of how high someone can reach with their hands while standing flat-footed
Standing reach is a critical metric in basketball, measuring the maximum height a person can reach with their hands while standing flat-footed. It is an essential indicator of a player's potential for blocking shots, spiking the ball, and making defensive plays.
To measure standing reach, an individual should stand with their feet flat on the ground, either barefoot or with socks, and their feet close together. They should then reach upwards with one arm, keeping their shoulders square and level. The highest point touched by the individual's hand is then measured. This can be done by standing next to a wall, marking the highest point with a pencil, and then using a measuring tape to get the exact height.
It is important to note that standing reach is not the same as height. Players with the same height can have significantly different standing reaches due to differences in arm length. For example, Luol Deng, at 6'7", had a standing reach of 9'0.5", while Matt Barnes, at a similar height of 6'6.75", had a standing reach of only 8'0.5".
Standing reach is a critical factor in basketball as it determines a player's ability to shoot, block, and defend effectively. It is often the first step in measuring vertical jump and can be used to calculate the height of a jump or how high a player needs to jump to dunk.
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It is calculated by adding the height of the individual to the length of their arm reach
Standing reach is an important measurement in basketball, as it determines how easily a player can shoot against a defender and is also helpful on defence. To calculate the standing reach, you must add the height of the individual to the length of their arm reach.
The formula for this calculation is SR = H + AR, where SR stands for standing reach, H for height, and AR for arm reach. First, determine the height of the individual in inches. Then, measure the arm reach of the person in inches as well. Finally, apply these values to the formula to calculate the standing reach.
There are a few methods to measure an individual's standing reach. One way is to stand flat-footed, reach up with one arm, and mark the highest point you can touch on a wall. Another method is to use a Vertec or the Jump & Reach test, which also takes into account an individual's vertical jump.
The median basketball player in the NBA Draft Combine has a standing reach about 1.335 times their height. This means that the average 6-foot-tall basketball player should have a standing reach of around 8 feet. However, there are players with longer arms, which gives them an advantage in certain playing situations.
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The median basketball player in the NBA Draft Combine has a standing reach about 1.335 times their height
When it comes to basketball, a player's height is not as important as their standing reach and wingspan. Standing reach measures how high a player can reach with their hands while standing flat-footed. This is important because it determines how easily they can shoot against a defender and make blocks.
While there are no official measurements of all NBA players, Rudy Gobert from the Utah Jazz had the longest standing reach as of March 2017, at 9 feet 9 inches. On the other end of the spectrum, Tyler Ulis of the Phoenix Suns, who is 5 feet 9 inches tall with a standing reach of 7 feet 4.75 inches, had the shortest standing reach at that time.
To measure your standing reach, stand next to a wall and reach up as high as you can. Mark the spot with a pencil and then measure the height from the ground to the mark. This will give you your standing reach.
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A good way to measure standing reach is to stand beside a wall, reach as high as possible, and mark the wall with a pencil
A good way to measure your standing reach is to stand barefoot, flat-footed beside a wall, reach as high as you possibly can, and mark the wall with a pencil. Then, measure the height of the mark from the floor. This method ensures that you are measuring the maximum height you can reach without jumping.
Standing reach is an important measurement for basketball players as it determines how easily they can shoot against a defender and is also helpful on defence. It is calculated by having the athlete stand flat-footed, reaching up with one arm, and measuring the highest point they can touch. This measurement is often used in sports like basketball and volleyball to assess a player's potential for blocking or spiking the ball.
There are some variations in how standing reach is measured. Some sources suggest that it is done with shoes on, with shoulders square, and using one arm. Others suggest that it can be done on tiptoes or with two arms. However, the most common method seems to be barefoot, flat-footed, with one arm, and reaching as high as possible.
The median basketball player in the NBA Draft Combine has a standing reach about 1.335 times as long as their height. This means that the average 6-foot-tall basketball player should have a standing reach of around 8 feet. However, there are players with far longer arms than others, which can give them a significant advantage in the game.
By knowing your standing reach, you can also calculate your vertical jump height by subtracting your standing reach from your maximum jumping reach. This can be useful if you want to know how high you need to jump to dunk a basketball.
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Standing reach is often the first step in measuring vertical jump using a Vertec or Jump & Reach test
Standing reach is an important measurement for basketball players as it determines how easily they can shoot against a defender and defend shots, deflect passes, or make blocks. It is also the first step in measuring vertical jump using a Vertec or Jump & Reach test.
To measure standing reach, stand against a wall and reach as high as you can with your arm tight to your ear. Use chalk, tape, or a pencil to mark the wall at the tip of your middle finger. This is your standing reach height.
Now, you can measure your vertical jump by using the standing reach height as a baseline. Reach as high as you can with your arm tight to your ear and mark the wall with your middle finger again. The difference between your standing reach height and this height is your vertical jump measurement.
You can also use a Vertec jump tester to record the heights of the vanes you tap during your standing and jump reach. The vertical jump test can also be performed using a specialized apparatus called the Vertec.
It is important to record your results to track your progress and improve your jump. You can record your maximum vertical jump in a fitness journal or spreadsheet and test yourself every 6 to 12 weeks to monitor your progress over time.
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Frequently asked questions
Standing reach is a measurement of how high someone can reach with their hands while standing flat-footed. It is important for basketball players as it determines their ability to get shots off against a defender and helps with blocking and deflecting passes.
To measure your standing reach, first stand with your back against a wall and your feet flat on the floor. Reach as high as you can with one arm and use a pencil to mark the wall at the highest point you can touch. Then, measure the height of the mark from the floor. This is your standing reach.
Yes, the equation is SR = H + AR, where SR is the standing reach, H is your height, and AR is your arm reach. Both your height and arm reach should be measured in inches.
There is no definitive answer as it depends on your height. On average, a 6-foot-tall basketball player should have a standing reach of around 8 feet. However, the key is to have a longer standing reach relative to your height, as this gives you an advantage when playing.

































