1. Rounders Analysis of Performance - Batting Fred Mann 11PWI

2. Rules and Regulations The ball is bowled underarm The ball must arrive without bouncing and land in the batter’s square (in between the batter’s knee and head) The bowler’s feet are inside the square when the ball is bowled The batter gets 1 chance to hit the ball when batting and must run even if the ball is not struck If the batter hits the ball anywhere behind the batting square, the batter can only run to 1 st base. Bowler Batter Rounders Setup

3. Rules and Regulations The batter hits the ball and the ball is caught before it hits the ground The [post that the batter is running to is touched with the ball before the batter gets there The Batter runs inside the post One batter overtakes another batter when running to the posts When not running, the batter is out if obstructing a fielder The batter’s foot is outside the batting square when the ball is bowled How can a batter get out? If the batter manages to get to the 4 th post without play being stopped, 1 rounder is scored. If the batter fails to hit the ball and gets to the 4 th post, half a rounder is scored. Half a rounder is scored if a batter manages to hit the ball and make it to the second post. How do batters score?

4. The Good Model This is a batter from the England Female senior rounders team. It was filmed during the match against Wales on the 22 nd of July 2012. These players currently stand on the ‘performance’ level on the sports participation pyramid and therefore they are developing sport specific skills from quality coaching. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veMacwRU9ms Minutes: 1:20 -1:26

5. Analysis of performance SkillPerformance Body PositioningSanding on the preferred side of the batting box, whilst her body is side on from the bowler. This allows the need for much movement if the ball is bowled anywhere else in the batting box. The fact that she is side on would also allow for a bigger swing due to her being able to bring her arm back further. Holding the batShe uses a tight, firm grip at the bottom of the bat with her index finger pointed for extra accuracy of the hit. This hand position on the bat can be used to gain more momentum in the swing to hit the ball harder. Also, she holds the bat up behind her body in order to get as far away from the ball as possible before hitting it. AwarenessShe is able to hit the ball in a direction the seems best to get as far as possible (it worked as she scored 1). This is useful as she can notice the gaps in the fielding in order to hit the ball in that direction and maximize her running time. (And is assisted by her stance) StanceShe stands in an excellent position. Her feet are shoulder width apart and therefore she has a steady center of gravity which will make for good balance. Also, her knees are bent, enabling her to move easier to reach for the ball or shift in the box to hit the ball, whilst maintaining balance. SwingingWhen swinging for the ball, she leaves her wrist loose in order to gain extra momentum when swinging for the ball, increasing the power. Also, she turns her whole body when swinging for it. This will allow for more contact time on the ball, increasing its acceleration as well as enabling her to hit in the general direction she wants to, also getting her in a good position to run to the 1 st post.

6. The Imperfect Model This is a batter from the same game as before. However, the batter in this video was much less successful in hitting the ball due to technical problems. https://www.youtube.com/w atch?v=veMacwRU9ms 0:20 – 0:26

7. The Imperfect Model SkillPerformance Body PositioningThis person is standing facing the bowler, unlike the good model, causing her to have a limited amount of movement to reach for the ball. This also means that she has a smaller swing for the ball Holding the batShe uses a tight, firm grip at the bottom of the bat with her index finger pointed for extra accuracy of the hit. This hand position on the bat can be used to gain more momentum in the swing to hit the ball harder. Also, she holds the bat up behind her body in order to get as far away from the ball as possible before hitting it. AwarenessThis model is not able to hit the ball in the direction of the least fielders. This is mainly due to the poor body position. StanceThe batter is standing wither her feed shoulder width apart allowing for decent balance. However, due to not bending her knees down enough, she is not able to alter her position if the ball is bowled away from her. SwingingWhen swinging, her arm does not move as much and as fast as the good model. This is due to her being head on with the bowler and therefore cannot get enough time to alter her position and swing in order for her hit the ball as hard as possible.

8. Strengths A strong and useful grip of the bat, allowing her to hit the ball as far as possible Some signs of decent balance throughout the swing Good contact with the ball (good height) Good and useful transfer of weight from one leg to the other. AND Weaknesses Awkward body position, not allowing for her to be able to alter her position to hit the ball Lack of direction when hitting the ball. She was unable to hit the ball where there was a lack of fielders to get as much running done as possible Not enough power in the swing (coming from poor body positioning.)

9. The Components of Fitness Used There are only Skill related components of fitness needed in batting for rounders. Skill Related FitnessExplanation AgilityThis is needed to alter the position of the batter before lining up to hit the ball. BalanceThis is needed in the stance and aids in the movement to hit the ball. CoordinationThis is needed to make contact with the bat and ball. PowerPower is needed in order to hit the ball as far and hard as possible. Reaction timeReaction time is needed in order to move a quickly as possible after the ball is bowled into the position needed so you have as much to to prepare for the hit as possible.

10. Practices to improve 1) 3 PLAYERS WITH 1 BALL THROW THAT BALL AT THE BATTER TO TAP IT TO ANOTHER PLAYER – This will improve the batter’s direction of hitting. This improvement will allow for the batter to be able to hit in the direction desired during a game in order to have as much time to run as possible and score the most points. The players throwing the ball can gradually get further away in order for the batter to get more comfortable with the increase in distance required to hit in that direction. 2) 1 BATTER AND 1 BOWLER. The bowler will bowl the ball at the batter in the batting square allowing for them to learn and understand which stances and body positions both allow them to move the quickest and hit the furthest – This will improve the body positioning and stance of the batter, which will gradually allow them to improve their power as they will be hitting the ball as far as possible each bowl. This will improve the batter’s balance. 3) SET UP IN 2'S WITH 1 BAT AND A BALL. THE AIM HERE IS TO KEEP THE BALL UP IN THE AIR BY HITTING IT LIGHTLY WITH THE BAT. IF THE BALL HITS THE GROUND IT BECOMES YOUR PARTNER'S TURN. – This will improve the batter’s coordination when hitting the ball and therefore will improve how the batter makes contact with the ball in an actual game. This will effect how high and hard they hit the ball in order to hit it where they were aiming.