Successful shooting in netball depends not only on achieving the correct angle, velocity and height of release, but also on how well the shooter can adjust these factors when faced with a defender. However, few studies, if any, have analysed the difference between shots taken with a defender present and those without (usually due to a penalty against the defender). The aim of the study was to examine the difference in kinematic variables between defended and undefended shots during netball games. The study was approved by the university’s ethics committee and informed consent was given by eight elite netballers (age mean 22.1, s=2.3 years; stature 1.81, s=.08 m; mass 69.0, s=8.7 kg). Each participant was filmed playing in a Netball Superleague game during the 2007/2008 season. Two stationary Canon DM-XL1 digital cameras were placed on a balcony overlooking the playing area, so as not to interfere with the players or spectators. The sampling rate was 50 Hz, and the shutter speed 1/500 s. Two successful shots per player were digitised and analysed using SIMI Motion (Munich) and filtered using a Butterworth low-pass 2nd order filter. The two shots consisted of one successful defended shot, and one successful undefended shot (due to a penalty awarded against the opposing team’s defender). Statistical analysis consisted of dependent t-tests. The height of release was higher for defended shots (2.16 m, s=0.28) than in undefended shots (1.93 m, s=0.04). This was caused partially due to greater elbow extension during the shooting action. The maximum elbow angle for defended shots was 138° (s=25) and for undefended shots 108° (s=23). The significant difference found between these values (P=0.049) was the only one found between the two shooting conditions. The angle of release at the shoulder was higher for defended shots (141°, s= 22) compared to undefended (133°, s=7), as was the vertical velocity of the wrist at release (0.54 m s -1, s=0.31 and 0.43 m s -1, s=0.12 respectively). Several differences were found between shooting with and without a defender, although only one was found to be significant. Nonetheless, it was clear that shooting with a defender present required a greater height of release, and larger shooting arm joint angles. It is important for netball players and coaches to shoot with defenders present during training in order to practice the style of shooting required during a game.
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)