1. What is Standing Reach?

Standing reach is a measurement of how high someone can reach upward while standing flat-footed. It's commonly used in sports like basketball to assess vertical reach potential.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standing reach formula:

Where:

• \( height \) — Person's height in inches
• \( arm\_length \) — Length from shoulder to fingertips in inches

Explanation: The formula combines your height with half your arm length to estimate your maximum standing reach.

3. Importance of Standing Reach

Details: Standing reach is crucial for athletes, particularly in sports requiring vertical reach like basketball, volleyball, and rock climbing. It helps assess potential without jumping.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Measure height without shoes. Arm length should be measured from the acromion process (bony point of shoulder) to the tip of the middle finger with arm extended sideways.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why divide arm length by 2 in the formula?
A: When reaching upward, you typically can't extend your arms completely vertically. The division by 2 approximates the practical reach extension.

Q2: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It provides a good estimate, but actual reach may vary by ±2 inches based on shoulder flexibility and technique.

Q3: What's an average standing reach?
A: For an average adult male (5'9"), standing reach is typically about 7'1" to 7'6". For females (5'4"), about 6'6" to 6'11".

Q4: Can I improve my standing reach?
A: While height and arm length are fixed, improving shoulder flexibility and reach technique can slightly increase your practical reach.

Q5: How does this relate to vertical jump?
A: Vertical jump reach would be standing reach plus your vertical jump height.