qualitative analysis of a football catch
Goals:
- To catch a pass by effectively reading the quarterback and the ball. Additionally, using decision making skills based on the defenders guarding you.
- Jumping to the correct height, angle, distance, and position to catch the throw. (While this analysis is mainly focusing on after the player is already in the air, not the actual jump, it will still influence the overall success of this skill)
- Safely lower the force acting on the body when landing. However, the player cannot lower the force completely to zero because they need to then land with the ball and run towards the end zone or move away from a defender.
- Overcome fear of getting tackled. A lot of people may change their technique or mechanics to avoid getting hit. Often times these compensations can cause injury or decrease the effectiveness of the skill.
Biomechanical Factors:
(Assume this skill is just the catch in the air and landing to run with the ball, not getting tackled in the air or catching in the end zone) Catch Phase
· Change in kinetic energy of the ball is a result of the product of force and displacement
o Catching the ball with outstretched arms and cradling the ball into the body, lowers the forces because it
moves across a larger displacement. This will help the player catch the ball and avoid fumbling.
· Timing and sequencing- to move your arms in the right direction and with right amount towards the ball to ensure your body can physically catch the ball
o includes judgments, perceptions, accuracy of the jump, ROM, strength, and flexibility
· Physical ability to jump and all the biomechanics that go into the jump will change the player’s catch. If they didn’t jump high enough or accurate enough they will have to change their mechanics while attempting to catch the ball.
Landing Phase
· Change in kinetic energy of the body landing is a result of the product of force and displacement
o To lower forces when landing the player needs to have a bigger displacement. This is usually achieved by landing on the balls of the feet, flexing the knees and hips, and “squatting down”. This allows the muscles
to absorb the forces of the body hitting the ground.
o However, a football player does not want to lower their energy to zero because after they land they need to immediately start running and use that momentum to propel them forward.
o Also, in real situations they may not have a lot of time to land (due to defenders and the need to get the ball downfield). Sometimes they may not be able to reduce the forces enough and it may slow them down.
· Impulse momentum relationship
o The product of force and time will equal the change in momentum.
o As mentioned above, the players may not have any time to slow down because of defenders
o There needs to be a “happy medium” between too much or too little time on landing. Too much of a pause will slow the player down and will not help propel them forward. Too little time may cause them to lose balance or slow down because of the amount of downward forces from the land and the high momentum.
· The body positioning will influence the success of the landing. Eyes need to move from the ball to the field and defenders around them. They need to be protecting the ball by cradling it by the body. They need to plan where they need to go before they even land and orient themselves to prepare for that direction. They need to plant their back foot and lead their other foot in the correct direction after landing. Lastly, they need to have an explosive push off to propel their running.
· Based on each situation, the land may not always be so clear cut. If they land on one foot, on their back, or outstretched for a catch, all of the biomechanical factors may change. They may not absorb forces as well, injure themselves, will not be able to advance downfield, etc.
Observation Plan:
· Frontal and sagittal plane views. In a real setting you may need multiple cameras because the planes aren’t so clear cut in a game or practice. Every catch will be oriented a little differently.
· May want to consider having video of the entire field so you know what/who cued them, know if their timing is correct, see what they missed, and understand their decision making by examining defenders and the situation.
· First examine the effectiveness of their catch. Did they get their body to the ball and then bring it into the body.
· Then examine how they land. Look at their overall body positioning coming down and then look up the kinetic chain (starting at the feet) to examine landing mechanics.
· Notice if they are prepared to then run after the land.
catch_and_land_checklist.docx | |
File Size: | 12 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Evaluation Plan:
· Isolate the part of the skill that is the problem because there are multiple phases. Is the problem arising from the jump? From the catch? Or from the landing?
o Is it psychological (afraid of getting hit) or decision making and reading the players or field (more of a coaching issue)?
· Use video feedback because rarely would you have access to the player during practice/game. They won’t remember every catch after the game, so show them exactly the situation you are correcting or evaluating.
· It is challenging because each catch is response to the environment and will be different every time. Make sure if it is a mechanical or technical issue to practice and master the correct technique in a controlled environment first before introducing outside factors that will change the environment (like defenders).
· Isolate the part of the skill that is the problem because there are multiple phases. Is the problem arising from the jump? From the catch? Or from the landing?
o Is it psychological (afraid of getting hit) or decision making and reading the players or field (more of a coaching issue)?
· Use video feedback because rarely would you have access to the player during practice/game. They won’t remember every catch after the game, so show them exactly the situation you are correcting or evaluating.
· It is challenging because each catch is response to the environment and will be different every time. Make sure if it is a mechanical or technical issue to practice and master the correct technique in a controlled environment first before introducing outside factors that will change the environment (like defenders).