Context:​ The Landing Error Scoring System (LESS) is a two-dimensional landing technique assessment tool that is readily available to clinicians. However, the LESS merely assesses a contrived landing, rather than dynamic, complex movements that may occur during actual athletic performance.

Objective:​ To compare the LESS scores and knee joint kinematics between the LESS vertical-drop jump (DVJ), and two simulated basketball landing performances, jump-stop jump shot (JS) and rebounding (RB).

Design:​ Prospective, cross-sectional study. Setting:​ An intramural basketball court.

Participants:​ Twenty-five female recreational basketball players (Age:​ 20.96±1.70, Height (cm):​ 166.07 ± 9.10, Weight (kg):​ 68.54 ±12.17).

Intervention(s):​ Participants performed the DVJ, JS, and RB. All landing performances were video-recorded and kinematics were analyzed using Dartfish.

Results:​ LESS scores were significantly different between DVJ (5.97±1.43) and JS (8.75±0.94) (p < 0.001), DVJ and RB (7.33 ±1.02) (p < 0.001), and JS and RB (p < 0.001). Knee flexion angle (KFL) at initial contact (IC) was significantly different between JS (25.62°±4.80°) and RB (21.06°± 4.84°) (p < 0.005), maximum KFL was significantly different between DVJ (89.55°± 12.14°) and JS (82.54°±10.60°) (p <0.001), and DVJ and RB (21.06°±4.84°) (p < 0.001). Knee abduction angle (KAB) at IC was significantly different between JS (5.96° ±3.85°) and DVJ (1.94°±3.22°) (P< 0.001);​ JS and RB (3.10°±3.26°) (p < 0.001);​ and, no significant difference was found in KAB at maximum knee flexion (Max) between any combination of the three landings.

Conclusions:​ Female recreational basketball players employed a different landing strategy between a controlled landing and simulated basketball landing tasks. The simulated basketball landings might better help identify athletes with poor landing technique, and are at higher risk of sustaining ACL injuries.