A level Project, Personal Exercise Program on Netball.

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Zoë Michelle Wiles

Candidate number: 2922

A project to improve the performance of a netballer.

Section A – Abstract

The aim of the project was to look at a performer, identify their major weakness through observation and to improve the performance of a netball player by improving this major weakness which was shown to be the component of power.

My hypothesis was that the use of a progressive weight training programme improved the power of a netball player.  As a result of the training programme the player avoided more interceptions and passed the ball for longer, more accurate distances in competitive match situations.

The performer carried out a six week training program particularly focussing on Quadricep and Hamstring work and Bicep/Tricep work using resistance machines, stretches, based on research theories taking into account personal needs of the performer by looking at power with the inclusion of multiple fitness tests.

The test results before and after the exercise program show if the weakness had been improved. The results showed an improvement in passing by 15% and intercepting by 68%.

As a result of the findings, the research hypothesis was accepted as possibly there was an improvement in the appropriate energy systems which resulted in skeletal muscular hypertrophy and therefore increased the performer’s power and their overall game situation.

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B1.  PLANNING

Section C.1 – Observation and Analysis

Quantitative Data Sheet for the Core Skills in Netball.

Practice

Quantitative Data Sheet for the Core Skills in Netball.

Competition

Qualitative Data Sheet for the Core Skills in Netball.         Practice                        

Qualitative Data Sheet for the Core Skills in Netball.    Competition

Section C.2 – Observation and Analysis

Major Faults Identified In Competition.

Generally, the performer had an overall weaker game during the competition situation. One of the most noticeable issues was that the performance seemed less relaxed compared to the training session. Facial expressions were a key indication that the performer wasn’t in control and wasn’t processing the movement of the game. Their eyes were noticeably unfocussed and this affected the way in which they perceived situations. If the player lacks concentration then their athletic abilities will not be effectively or efficiently applied to the task. This was easy to identify when the performer received the ball. Their attention narrowing focussed on a small number of stimuli and the demand for concentration varied throughout the game. Their reaction time was marginally slower than in practice due to the pace of the game therefore resulting in passes to be intercepted. This major fault seems to stem from a psychological effect of anxiety during competition. The performer’s cognitive and somatic symptoms seem to have caused their level of relaxation during the competition.

Another major fault within the performer’s competition was their speed. The pace of the game was fairly quick due to the opposing team’s standard. Speed was an issue in many variables of the match. One particular fault was the performer had some difficulty in losing the defender. They made attempts at dodging however the defender managed to keep up the pace. Another factor the performer’s speed affected was their sprints for the ball when receiving a pass. The team player had thrown the ball however the performer wasn’t on target for the ball when they began their sprint which meant they lost possession. This lack of speed during the sprint could be due to a physiological lack of power in the muscles. This deficiency of speed has a major effect upon the performer’s ability to perform during the game. The performer’s lack of speed can affect the number of passes that are successful or unsuccessful. The opposite team could identify a weakness in the teams speed and therefore easily intercept the ball or create particular game strategies around the weakness. The performer seems to have a psychological weakness of anxiety. It is noticeable during pre competition they suffer many somatic symptoms of anxiety. This is then transferred into their game as they try to pass the ball without stopping to look for advantages in the teams’ position.

Major Faults Identified In Demonstration.

The performer during training seemed more confident within their game however their awareness of the game itself, other team members and potential passes weren’t taken as seriously as one would have hoped. Although in training there is room for error, attitude towards the skills should still be practiced as if in competition. Decisions on whom to pass the ball to were fairly obvious however the best option wasn’t always chosen. This too was apparent in the competition situation. The performer’s ability to spot potential strategies of moving the ball across the court were weak and so the simplest passes were made so to avoid any misconduct. The performer’s awareness of the game in training will affect overall motivational levels of the performer and their team as losing possession would be inevitable.

A skill fault effecting the performer’s ability to achieve is their passes moreover their lack of power in their chest pass. The chest passes made were predominantly unsuccessful as the performer misjudged the distance the ball needed to travel, the speed it which they needed to throw the ball and the height required to evenly place it into the team members hands. This lack of power could be due to the incorrect technical ability of the performer as their positioning of their arms and elbows inline with their body, altering the leverage of the push would ultimately affect the power of the pass.

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Section D.1 – Evaluation

My performer

I will now discuss the quality of my performer in relation to an elite performer and a weaker performer. My performer puts a lot of effort in when playing in a match. The coaching available has enabled her to develop her own understanding of the game and the game in a competition manner through the use of tactics and passing formations. My performer’s strengths lie in her shoulder passes. These passes can be directed to the ...

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