Welcome back from the extended Easter break! We hope you had a good one!
To kick off Term 2, an overarching concept that is applied will improve student performance in almost all sports!
Is this little guy front on or side on?
There are a few fundamental improvements that apply to almost every sport. Over the coming months we will address some of these to help you improve not just your teaching and coaching in one sport, but in many.
The first we will touch on is the overwhelming benefits of the side on body position in almost every sport.
As a beginner most players, child or adult, will use very little of their body to perform the task of hitting, kicking or throwing a ball. Watch a young child kick a football (soccer or rugby) and observe how many stand toes facing forwards, left or right foot swinging from the knee, zero weight transfer and the resulting lack off power and distance on the kick.
Effectively, the only area the player is drawing power from is their spindly little calf muscle, ankle and toes. Hardly heavyweights in the biomechanical department.
Watch the transformation and associated increase in distance and power when you ask the player to approach the ball side one and to effect some movement of weight from their back foot to their front foot.
Click for animation
Similar improvements will be witnessed when it comes to accuracy. What would happen if you stood front on and tried to hit a golf ball? You’d never try it so don’t do it for (almost) any other sport.
By addressing a ball side on it allows the swing of the club, bat, racquet, foot or arm to start, contact / release and follow through, all in the direction of the target. This gives the player a much better chance of hitting the ball where they want to.
In all drills, games and activities the side on position should be reinforced, and if done consistently more effortless power and accuracy will be achieved.
What sports is being side on not the best approach for? There are a few (but not many) out there. Why not leave a comment?
Please add me to your email correspondence so I can receive your blog updates. Thank you.
Hi Tory,
Thanks for joining our Teachers In Sport learning commnunity. If you have any questions about your PE Teaching, the TPL course we run or requests for blog topics that you may want addressed then please be in touch.
Kind Regards,
Ben
[...] Don’t forget to mention the fundamentals of good throwing. The two main elements being a side on position and moving weight forward as you throw the ball. For more info on these two all important aspects of throwing (and many other sports) check out our past blog on this topic here: http://teachersinsport.wordpress.com/2011/04/27/side-on-means-success-in-almost-every-sport/ [...]