Kinematical analysis of 135° change of direction techniques in basketball

IChange of direction (COD) is a crucial movement in basketball, requiring athletes to decelerate, reorient, and reaccelerate efficiently. This study aimed to identify the COD techniques naturally adopted by basketball players during a pre-planned 135° CODs, and to compare the associated lower-limb kinematics and execution time. A total of 130 basketball players performed the V-cut test while wearing inertial measurement units. From the analysis, two COD techniques emerged: Side-Step and Split-Step. Side-Step was the predominant technique (72.1%) and demonstrated significantly shorter execution time per COD (p < 0.001). Side-Step exhibited in the pivot leg greater hip flexion, knee internal rotation, and ankle dorsiflexion, while Split-Step showed higher movement variability and knee abduction. Side-Step appears to be the more efficient and stable COD strategy, offering faster COD execution.