Implications/links for other sports

The concepts and biomechanical principles identified within this blog can be linked to other sports; sports such as netball, where players are shooting using a projectile motion (the path is called trajectory); Projectile motion refers to the motion of an object projected at an angle into the air (Blazevich, 2010). When the object (the ball) is being thrown it can be considered to have a vertical and horizontal velocity component also known as the flight time. The optimum angle is the least effort angle, which is the release angle of about 44, 46, and 53 degree, shown in Figure 7. Both sports use an optimal release angle but there is no exact release angle as every individual has a different.  When shooting in basketball or netball the main objective is accuracy and this action requires players to have an open stance, the body positioned at the ring with knees flexed, shoulders apart to provide stability and accuracy (Haefner, 2019).  The aim in both these sports is to exploit focus on height of the ball, and force for accuracy; both in these sports using the flick of the wrist to shoot is common as this action makes the ball spin backward (as shown in Figure 8), giving the ball a better chance of going in. A backspin produces an upwards force that prolongs the flight of a moving ball; this is called the Magnus Effect, which is the deviations from the typical trajectories or paths of spinning ball (Clancy, L. J, 1975). There are many other sports that also apply a spin on the ball which includes the sports such as football, NRL, table tennis, tennis, volleyball, golf and baseball. By enabling the ball to have a backspin it allows the ball to travel at a further distance than if the ball not spinning (Davies, 1949).

Figure 7. Release angle for basketball free throw.

Figure 8. Comparison between basketball free throw and netball throw, similar wrist flexion.