Biomechanical Factors that Affect the Accuracy of a Netball Shot
Balance and Stability
“At least half the time in possession of the ball should be spent preparing to shoot, establish balance, concentration, and steadying of the ball” (Steele, 1993).
(Figure 6)
All humans and objects have a centre of gravity (Blazevich, 2010). Netball players need to learn how to control their centre of gravity so that all parts of the body are equally balanced. This is because Balance and Stability are key aspects needed for the netball shot.
How to maintain balance and stability:
- Up right trunk position
- Stable/ bent legs
- Head up right and centre to the midline
- Eyes up and focused on the goal ring
- Arms close to the midline
By achieving this base support it limits trunk rotation keeping the body aligned. Maintaining this stance allows for control of the ball through each phase: preparation, throwing motion/ release and follow through. If balance and stability is achieved it increases the force behind ball and accuracy of shooting a goal.
Distance from the Goal Post
“Accuracy in netball shooting could be enhanced by
encouraging players to manoeuvre the ball as close to the goal ring as possible
before shooting…”
Steele (1993) proves how distance from the goal post is influential to shooting accuracy. Study shows that shooters that are 1.6 meters or closer to the goal ring are 79% more accurate and likely to score a goal (Steele, 1993). In comparison shooting at a further distance decreases the chance of scoring a goal. The optimum distance for goal shooters to achieve accuracy is between 0.9 meters and 1.5 meters. Otago (1983) explains how increasing the distance from the goal ring changes the biomechanical sequence making the shot less accurate. It can be seen that if a netball player wants to increase their chance of scoring a goal they must receive the ball closer to the ring.
