Kinematic analysis of netball goal shooting: a comparison of junior and senior players

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of playing experience on the kinematic characteristics of the goal shooting action in netball players. Six county-level junior and six senior goal shooters took part in the study. They were asked to perform eight shots at goal and were equipped with 33 retro-reflective markers fixed to anatomical landmarks for three-dimensional motion tracking. The shot was divided into three periods: start of throw, shooting action, and release. The following variables were determined for each period: position of the ball, joint angles, timings between actions, joint angular velocities, and ranges of motion. The main results showed a significant effect of playing experience, with senior shooters showing a shorter delay between the movements involved in the shooting action, a significant difference between the right and left elbow angles at the start of forearm extension, and greater extension of the left shoulder and greater flexion of the left elbow at release compared with junior shooters. These results might help justify some of the empirical observations made by coaches and direct them in their advice to players. In particular, recommendations to junior players should focus on the simultaneity of leg and arm actions and dissociation between the right and left arms during the shooting action.