1. MECHANICAL PRINCIPLES TRANSFER OF WEIGHT AND FOLLOW THROUGH

2. TRANSFER OF WEIGHT Transfer of weight occurs in many skills. In order for it to be affective the performer must be in a balanced position to start. Transfer of weight is essential in throwing and striking actions to generate power. For example in a badminton over head clear, the performer’s weight is transferred from back foot to front foot as the shot is performed. This allows the performer to generate power behind the shuttle to clear it to the back of the court. Transfer of weight can occur in a single action such as throwing or striking, however it can also occur in simple actions that are repeated, for example running.

3. Transfer of Weight To transfer your weight a force must be applied in the opposite direction. Force is created by contracting muscle groups In order for the volleyball player to transfer his weight upwards he must push down hard on the court.

4. FOLLOW THROUGH The follow through occurs in kicking, striking and throwing and come after the preparation and action phases. The follow through is required in many skills to ensure the skill is executing accurately. For example a hockey push pass, the stick follow the direction of the ball and points in the direction of the balls desired path. The follow through is also used to generate power, for example in a golf shot. The connection of the ball determines where the ball will go and the follow through completes the skill giving the shot the desired power.

5. TASK Choose a throwing skill and describe how you used transfer of weight and follow through to execute the skill as effectively as possible. Do the same for a kicking and striking action.

6. Application of Force Forces are generated through muscle contractions The more powerful the muscle contraction the greater the force generated For speed the greater the force applied the greater the speed An athlete who can generate a lot of force with little body mass will move the quickest

7. Newton’s Third Law Newton’s third law states that every action has “an opposite and equal reaction” Sprinters apply force to the starting block to create forward momentum and propel themselves forward When you jump you bend your knees and apply weight downwards so you have a reaction against the surface you are standing on and jump up the way

8. Questions Name at least 3 examples of Newton’s Third Law in action (you cannot use the sprint start as an example) State where the force is applied and the outcome of the opposite reaction.