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How Does A Biomechanic Analysis Of A Volleyball Serve

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The aim of this report is to analyse my overhand volleyball serve from a biomechanical perspective and compare it to an elite athlete’s overhand volleyball serve. Biomechanics is the sport science field that applies the laws of mechanics and physics to human performance, in order to gain a greater understanding of performance in athletic events through modelling, simulation and measurement. It is also necessary to have a good understanding of the application of physics to sport. In volleyball the applications of summation of forces, projectile motion and balance and stability have a major influence on the success and accuracy of an overhead serve. Biomechanics is the study of the law related to the movements of pattern of the human body. The …show more content…

(Reference) It doesn’t matter whether the volleyball is being set, served, or passed, it moves both up and forward. This is influenced by the downward pull of gravity and horizontal motion, which is known as projectile motion. The volleyball serve follows a parabolic trajectory, and without air resistance, the volleyball would travel along a parabola, but since there is air resistance, the volleyball travels along a shorter path. (Reference) there are 3 factor that can increase your volleyball serve however if not performed correctly can affect the serve. These 3 are height of release (the higher the better), speed of release (the faster the better) and angle of release (45° for optimum distance). The higher the height of release, the better but it is better because it means the ball travel lower which means the ball is not in the air for long which is harder for the opposition. Generally, the greater the speed of release, the greater the distance gained, the speed of release can improve because it will be more challenging to return. The angle of release improves the accuracy of the shot, which can also make the serve harder to …show more content…

Balance is your body’s ability to stabilize itself during movements that require a shift of your centre of gravity. An athlete's centre of gravity is the exact middle of the body around which it can rotate freely in any direction and where the weight balanced on all opposite sides. It exists at a point along the midline of the body at about 55% of the athlete's height (Reference.) During a volleyball serve, it is easy to see where good balance would be essential, if your stance is off then that will lead to the toss being wrong and the athlete won’t have correct contact with the ball. To increase balance and stability one can do this by standing with their legs apart lowering themselves in a half squat position at the knees. By lowering the centre of gravity it will ensure and increase stability level. When an athlete’s centre of gravity is over their base of support adequate stability is achieved. In volleyball during a dig a player will stand with a split stance and lunge to the ball which allows them to perform an effective dig. If an athlete was to reach their arms out and not move their feet under their

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