1. Major question:

Welcome to the blog of, what are the biomechanical principles of a netball defensive intercept? presented by Emilea Mysko and Emma Willacy; of Flinders University. 

(ANZ Championships, 2015)

“Biomechanics is the study of mechanics in biological systems” (Blazevich, 2010, p. VIII). Analysing human movement patterns in sport is used to help athletes to perform in their chosen sport at a higher standard, to reduce the risk of major injuries, and to educate coaches, athletes and teachers (Bartlett, 2007). A defensive intercept is an important skill to master when playing netball. It is when a player intercepts the ball by regaining possession of the ball during a pass by the opposition player. “It requires speed and a good defensive awareness of the game and is the most effective way to stop your opposition’s attack” (Sportsplan, 2017). It is important for coaches and players to understand the biomechanical techniques used to perform the task. Intercepts are used throughout netball, regardless of age and experiences. The biomechanics behind the intercept does not change, rather the knowledge becomes better known and performed more efficiently with experience of these movements, as you can see with the video below (5 year olds and 12 year olds) and a comparison to a national league (adult) player above.

(Mysko, 2017)

 

According to Hewit, Cronin and Hume (2012), to fully understand the different technical and tactical requirements in a complex skill, understanding of biomechanical principles are essential to understand movements required in netball. Principles such as impulse momentum, inertia, Newtons laws, acceleration and force. This blog will focus on the biomechanical principles of a defensive intercept in netball. There are five major movement patterns in which need to be performed correctly in order to successfully achieve a deference intercept. These movement patterns include, tactical awareness, foot work, agility- run up/approach, take off/jump, and ball contact/landing.