Biomechanical Analysis Table

Phase Image Key Elements Related Biomechanical

Principles

Observation Plan

Preliminary Movements: Player begins to track on an angle to the defender’s right hip. Dribbling should take the player outside the right foot of the defender’s starting position.

1 – Left hand at the top of the stick with right hand at the bottom of the grip.

2 – V-grip down the spine of the stick.

3 – Knees bent with chest up.

4 – Eyes looking up to see both the ball and the defender.

5 – Stick at a 45-degree angle to the ground.

6 – Ball between 11 and 1 o’clock.

#1 – Low center of gravity to create a stable base. The line of gravity is close to the center of the base of support.

Observe face on to player to see ball position and all of the key elements listed.

Look for player to be dribbling on an angle towards the right hip of the defender (player should be dribbling left).

Look for player to be going at speed.

Look for player’s eyes to scan field.

Backswing Movements: The stick rotates over the ball from the right side in the Preliminary Movements to the left side of the ball.

1 – Left wrist rotates the stick from the top while the right wrist only guides the stick.

2 – V-grip, but now down the back spine of the stick

3 – Ball should be outside the attacker’s left foot (it is not in the image…the ball should be one foot further

#1 – Low center of gravity to create a stable base.

#2 – The production of maximum force requires the use of all joints that can be used. To pull the ball firmly back to the right of our body, we want to engage the right shoulder coming

Observe face on to see ball position, key elements and engaging distance from the defender.

Focus on the ball coming past the right foot of the defender and outside the attacker’s left foot (to sell that the carrier is dribbling left before then

to the dribbler’s left.)

all the way across from outside the base of the feet.

pulling back right)

Force-producing Movements: Weight is planted onto the left foot to drive back across to the right and the ball is pulled flat across the body (or slightly backwards).

1 – Knees should remain bent over the ball.

2 – Weight should be on the left foot.

3 – As the stick makes contact on the left side of the ball, the head, right shoulder, and left knee should be in a straight vertical line.

#1 – To move quickly, weight is shifted from one foot to the other shifting the center of gravity.

#2 – The production of maximum force requires the use of all joints than can be used.

#3 – The production of maximum velocity requires the use of joints in order from largest to smallest.

Observe face on to see the contact point between the stick and the ball.

Look for the transfer of weight onto the left foot and a hard push off the ground back to the right.

The Critical Instant: Stick releases contact with the ball to rotate and receive the ball on the right side of the body.

1 – Weight transfers from the left foot to the right foot.

2 – Left wrist begins to rotate back to initial dribbling position

3 – Pull should be completely across the defender’s base so that the ball ends outside the

#4 – The greater the applied impulse, the greater the increase in velocity (the longer the stick and ball are together in the ball, the greater the applied impulse).

#5 – Movement

Observe face on.

Focus on the stick and ball remaining together throughout the entire pull until the wrist rotates the stick back to the right side of the ball.

defender’s left foot.

usually occurs in the direction opposite that of the applied force (opposite the planted left foot).

Ensure that the pull is as long (distance-wise) as possible and at minimum has come completely across the defender’s base.

The Follow Through: Ball is received outside of the right foot and the dribbler’s left leg cuts off the defender as carrier accelerates to eliminate defender.

1 – Ball comes across the carrier’s body to the 1 o’clock dribbling position.

2 – Left leg and hip cut off the defender to protect the ball from a tackle.

3 – Return to initial dribbling position (eyes, knees, chest, hands the same as in the preliminary movements)

#1 – Low center of gravity and line of gravity close to the center of the base of support to create a stable foundation.

Observe face on to see the ball’s movement across the carrier’s body and leg cutting off the defender.

Watch for acceleration and elimination of the defender after the pull.

Eyes should be raised and scanning to identify passing options or successive defenders.