Introduction
Netball is team orientated ball sport enjoyed by many participants around the world, but especially in Australia and New Zealand. Similar to a basketball, netball is played by opposing two teams, each with 7 players, on a court separated into three zones. The aim of the game is to move the ball around the court into your scoring end, characterized by a semi-circle surrounding the goal, a hoop and net elevated 3 metres high. The rules of the game prohibit moving when a player has possession of the ball, requiring a team to pass between one another rapid accelerations and changes of direction around the court. Also, each player is given a specific position which dictates what areas of the court they can enter. For example, the centre position can enter all three areas of the court, but not the goal circle. The goal shooter position however, can enter the goal circle to attempt to score, but are only allowed to play within the attacking third of the court.
The technique being analysed for the purpose of this blog is a netball shot. The primary aim of netball is to transfer the ball to the attacking end of the court and scoring by getting the ball through the net. Each goal is worth one point and the game is reset back to centre court following a successful score. In order to oppose scoring, defenders are permitted to guard a player in possession at a distance of 3 feet. To combat an opposition defender, most netball shooters are tall, to both gain height advantage over the player and potentially retain possession from a rebounded missed shot.
The reason this technique/skill is being analysed is due to a lack of research into the biomechanical breakdown of a netball shot and how biomechanical principles can impact the outcome of a shot. For this reason, this blog is concerned with primarily concerned with the question: What is the optimal technique for a netball shot? This blog will aim to answer this question qualitatively and quantitatively through a biomechanical perspective. Investigating the biomechanical principles that impact the technique of a shot and how they might be adjusted to provide a more optimal technique to promote effective outcomes of the shot.
Breakdown of shot
In order to analyse a netball shot, the technique is broken down into 4 distinct phases, the preparation, power production, release and follow-through. All of these phases are crucial in determining the outcome of a shot, each producing or enacting movements to help project the ball into the ring.
Biomechanics of a Netball Shot 