Place the meter stick against the ground, with the zero indicator on the ground. Keep the meter stick up lengthwise and against the wall where the backboard is mounted.
Place a finger at the top of the meter stick, remove the stick from the first position and place the zero end onto the fingertip area. Place another finger at the top and place the meter stick at the finger tip again at the zero point, making sure to count the number of meters as you progress to the backboard.
Record the number and the centimeter marking when the backboard is reached. For example, if reaching the backboard required you move the meter stick four times with 30 centimeters after the last placement, record the distance as 4 meters, 30 centimeters, or 4.30 meters.