How can a netball player achieve optimal performance within their passing techniques?

Passing is imperative in a netball game to deliver the ball from player to player to get the ball into the goal ring. The team needs to be quick and strategic in doing this by selecting a suitable pass that is most effective to the game situation (Shakespear & Caldow, 2009). However, it depends on the individual players understanding of the use of each pass and the way in which these passes are most effectively executed.

Biomechanical information can be used to refine and establish the most significant elements behind a pass (Blazevich, 2010). These elements can then be emphasise and used during training, practice and furthermore, game situations to achieve optimal performance through how the technique is executed. When selecting an appropriate pass for the game situation, the player should consider the needs and demands of the game situation and which pass is more appropriate in terms of the power, velocity, and accuracy/distance that can be achieved.

It is important the correct pass is selected and executed effectively, to then allow optimum performance for the receiving player in their pass also. This will happen as the correct pass for the situation will allow the receiving player to determine the most effective way to catch and land, minimizing probability of injury. This will occur when the pass has been effectively executed, and the receiving player can establish which way is best to position themselves to receive the ball. This will then allow the player to set up and establish their next pass quicker; allowing the momentum to continue as the player is able to run through and pass off before the  player steps, and can also follow through with the pass as they continue to run (Blazevich, 2010).  This will effectively minimize ground reaction force, and allow the player to stay in motion as Newtons law suggests everything in motion wants to stay in motion (Blazevich, 2010). Overall, this can start a chain flow reaction and allow for more efficient and effective game play for all passing players within the team.

In netball, the three main passes that are used are bounce pass, chest pass and shoulder pass (Shakespear & Caldow, 2009). By examining the biomechanics behind each of these passes, it can be determined what the pass is most effective for in a game situation. Furthermore, examining the biomechanics behind these passes, will allow players to understand and perform the pass in the most effective way possible. By looking directly at the elements that create effective power, speed and accuracy/distance in these passes, it can be established what movement patterns are needed to execute these and furthermore, achieve optimal performance for players in their passing technique.

What are the biomechanics behind an effective netball pass?

For a player to execute an effective netball pass, firstly, the player must select the most appropriate pass for the game play situation. The type of pass that is selected should be chosen based on team member’s positions, opposition’s positions, and the distance that needs to be made according to these positions.  Personal constraints should also be acknowledged to know and work around the limitations of individual player’s abilities, to select methods and techniques that work for them.
The three following passing techniques are based on ‘text book’ technique, and what is suggested is most effective in theory.

Chest Pass: 

(Blazevich, 2010)

A chest pass is primarily used for a quick powerful pass directly to a player who is in close proximity with no opposition in between the balls path.  A chest pass also allows the player to receive the ball easily and set up for next passing sequence.

Power/Velocity:

- Elbows bent, with the ball retracted into the chest, holding the ball with two hands.
- Extend all joints simultaneously while transferring weight through stepping forward in a push like movement pattern, that results in a high overall force (Blazevich, 2010).
- High speeds will not be achieved through this passing technique due to limitations of shortening speed of muscles (Blazevich, 2010).
- If flexibility allows, fingers can be spread out behind the ball.
- Wrist can be flicked simultaneously to create spin on the ball.

When spin is created on the ball, the surrounding air becomes attached to the ball and continues to spin with the ball (Blazevich, 2010). One side of the ball usually deflects air earlier, causing a slight lifting effect on the ball (Blazevich, 2010). This will create some extra force, as Newton’s third law states there is an equal and opposite force on the ball (Blazevich, 2010). This will cause the ball to obtain extra force through the spin, and slightly lift when being passed to a player; the ball will then slightly drop due to gravity to then arrive in the player’s chest area (Blazevich, 2010).


Accuracy/Distance:
-  As the end point of the push like movement directs the ball in a forward motion, it will allow for high accuracy(Blazevich, 2010).
- As distance is not a great attribute to this particular pass, the ball will drop due to gravity relatively quickly.
-To slightly increase distance, the power behind the pass needs to be increased. This can be done through momentum, which can be achieved by the player running through the pass, and not abruptly stopping to then execute the pass (Blazevich, 2010).
The force behind this will then allow the motion to continue for a longer duration, allowing the distance of the pass to slightly increase.

(videojugsport, 2012, October 16)




Shoulder Pass:

(Blazevich, 2010)

A shoulder pass is used predominately for long distances and for height over opposition players. The shoulder pass is the most effective for long distances, as it is performed with a throw like movement pattern. This allows the summation of force and momentum to generate with a ‘wind up’ like movement and the momentum and force is then transferred and accumulated through each stage of release, allowing high amounts of force. As a result, it allows the ball to travel further at high velocities.

Power/Velocity:
- Rotation slightly at the hips to preferred side.
- Shoulder drops slightly backwards, shoulder rotation
- Preferred arm extending backwards on the same side
- Elbow bent
- Fingers spread and wrist flexed back
- Stepping forward with opposite leg to throwing side.

To release:
- The faster the projection speeds, the further the object will go (Blazevich, 2010).
- Step forward with opposite leg to throwing arm.
- Twisting acceleration/ movement at the hips to bring them forward in the direction of throw.
- Twisting and acceleration at the shoulder to bring it forward to direction of throw, where height of throw is established.
- Elbow acceleration to bring arm in front of the body.
- Wrist acceleration directly on the ball.
- Finger and ball acceleration, last point of contact where power is applied on the ball, the direction of throw is established and ball is released.

If in motion (running through), the step with the opposite leg occurs, release of the ball occurs before the next step touches the ground.
- Running through to keep momentum will be more effective as the force from the momentum will be larger than if the throwing player is standing still. This is evident as Newton states that everything in motion wants to stay in motion.

Accuracy/ Distance:
- The shoulder pass is known for great distances as the power, momentum and speed, allows force throughout an extended period of time.
- The distance this pass covers, is determine by the projection speed and the projection angle (Blazevich, 2010). Ultimately, according to individual abilities to produce speed as a result of muscle mass and ability, and performance through technique, will determine the speed and how far the ball will go according to this factor.
- Projection angle determines the height and the distance of the pass (Blazevich, 2010). To obtain a maximal distance, the ball needs to be released at a 45 degree angle, as there is an equal magnitude of horizontal and vertical velocity, which results in maximum distance (Blazevich, 2010).

(Blazevich, 2010)

- For the ball to go higher with less distance covered, the ball needs to be released at a greater angle, allowing the ball to travel higher, with a shorter distance (Blazevich, 2010).
Both of these are needed within a game, to gain height over an opposing player, and also to make the distance down the court. 

(videojugsport, 2012, October 12)

Bounce Pass

(Shakespear & Caldow, 2009)

The bounce pass is one that is primarily used for short distances, usually around the goal circle or confined spaces within the game.  By examining the bounce pass through the elements of power, velocity and accuracy/distance, the biomechanical components needed, can be established.

Power/Velocity
- Rotation at the hips is needed in order to place the ball on the preferred hand side of the body.
- If individual ball control skills allows for it, the player should only have the preferred hand on the ball to release with.
-If player needs to control with both hands, the non preferred hand is on the side of the ball for stability and preferred hand is directly behind the ball, with wrist flexed backwards.
- Throwing side elbows and arms need to retract next to the body, and as tight to the body as possible.
- The opposite foot to the throwing arm is positioned in front of the other, and slightly across the body for counter balance. This can also occur in a stepping motion if the grounded foot allows for stepping movement to be applied.
- Knees slightly bent.
With the body positioned in this way, the ball will stay at rest until force is applied (Blazevich, 2010). Simultaneously, extension of the elbow and arm is needed in roughly a 45 degree angle to the legs (depending on the distance of the receiving player, to achieve contact of the ball on the surface of roughly  ¾ of the way to the receiving player.

To release:
Stepping forward should occur first, then the bending of the knees, and the extension of the arm/s and wrist to follow.
This will produce the most speed out of the pass, as the throw like movement will allow the summation of forces to create momentum and speed behind the release of the ball (Blazevich, 2010).

However, this is not always possible due to the grounded foot rule, as if a player lands on the foot on the non-preferred side, the player cannot step forward with that foot. This will result in a push like movement, limiting the speed in which the ball can travel, due to the shortening of muscles.


Accuracy /Distance:
- Used for short distances
- The distance that the ball can travel depends on the power that can be expelled by the player.
- The angle of release will change depending on the distance the receive player is from the player with the ball.
- The ball should bounce at least ¾ of the distance to the player
- As the ball comes in contact with the ground, the ground will exert force back on the ball, to propel it in an upwards position, as Newtons 3^rd  law states, to every action there is an equal and opposite reaction (Blazevich, 2010).
- Ideally the ball should be received at about hip height of the receiving player.
- The ball can more accurately travel when controlled with one hand over two, as the supporting hand may slightly apply force on the side of the ball, forcing it in a slightly side-way direction.

                                                     (videojugsport, 2012, October 17)

The answer:                 

To answer the question, ‘how can a netball player achieve optimal performance in their passing techniques?’,  the player ultimately needs to understand and be able to perform the biomechanical movements behind each pass, and  understand how these factors influences the purpose of using the pass within a game, to select accordingly. If the correct selection and executions are performed, the team will be able to perform with great efficiency, as each player can anticipate what pass will be used, how the pass will be executed according to game play and how to position and set up accordingly.
However, as these biomechanical factors may be understood in theory to produce an effective pass within the game, once the player is in a game situation, there can be factors that affect how a pass can be executed, such as being located indoors may affect aerodynamics and heights at which the ball can be passed, the speed and ability of the opposition and the time in which these passes have to be played.

How else can this information be used?

By examining the biomechanics, the information can be transferred within a range of sporting techniques, needs and demands within game or competition situations. The projection angle and speed of a ball to achieve optimum distance can be transferred into football kicks, basketball passes, tennis shots, volleyball passes, shot put, discuss rugby and golf. The transfer of skills may also come into place, such as the ability to perform different throws in basketball, Korfball, darts, javelin and shot put.

References: 
Blazevich, A. (2010). Sports biomechanics, the basics: Optimising human performance. A&C Black

Krause, J., Meyer, D., & Meyer, J. (Eds.). (2008). Basketball skills and drills. Human Kinetics.

Shakespear, W., & Caldow, M. (2009). Netball: Steps to success. Human Kinetics

Steele, J. R. (1990). Biomechanical factors affecting performance in netball.Sports Medicine, 10(2), 88-102.

videojugsport. (2012, October 12). How to shoulder pass. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cz9gIa5hjQ

videojugsport. (2012, October 16). How to chest pass. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w04ylxv938M

videojugsport. ( 2012 , October 17). How to bounce pass. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLn5FsN0z1k