What Is Standing Reach in Basketball?

What Is Standing Reach?

Standing reach is the maximum height a player can reach with one arm fully extended while standing flat-footed on the ground. In basketball, it matters more than height alone because arm length and shoulder position vary between players.

Why Standing Reach Matters for Dunking

When it comes to a standing reach dunk, your jump doesn’t start from the floor — it starts from your reach. The higher your standing reach, the less vertical jump you need to dunk.

How to Measure Standing Reach (Step-by-Step)

• Stand flat-footed next to a wall
• Raise one arm as high as possible
• Mark the highest point you can touch
• Measure from the floor to the mark

Standing Reach vs Height

Height is just how tall you are. Standing reach includes arm length and shoulder height, which is why NBA players often have standing reaches much higher than expected for their height.

Standing Reach and Dunk Calculator

To know exactly how close you are to dunking, combine your standing reach with rim height and use a dunk calculator. This removes guessing and gives you a clear jump target.

Is Standing Reach Important for All Players?

Yes. Whether you’re a beginner or advanced player, understanding your standing reach helps with dunking, blocking shots, and rebounding. It’s a foundational basketball measurement.

Reference: Wikipedia