Biomechanics is the area of sport and

exercise science where the laws, principles

and methods of mechanics are applied to
the structure and function of the human
body.
 PROJECTIONS
• Forces which affect flight
• Angle and Height Projection
• Impact
• Spin
• Important Concepts
 PROJECTION PRINCIPLE
In most sporting applications involving projectile motion there is an ideal angle of
release range for best performance (air resistance is ignored).

Projection angle
Projection speed
Projection height
 PURPOSE
MAXIMUM HORIZONTAL DISPLACEMENT= OPTIMAL
RELEASE/TAKEOFF ANGLE IS 45 DEGREE ANGLE
---- You need to have a perfect mix of Horizontal and Vertical velocity
MAXIMUM VERTICAL DISPLACEMENT OR VERTICAL & SPEED =
OPTIMAL RELEASE/TAKE OFF ANGLE IS ABOVE 45 DEGREE
ANGLE
MIX OF MAXIMUM HORIZONTAL DISPLACEMENT & SPEED (SOFT
BALL) = OPTIMAL RELEASE/ TAKEOFF ANGLE IS LESS THAN 45
DEGREES.
Then in projectile motion the only force
acting on the object or body is due to gravity,
which we experience because of the huge
mass of the earth attracting our mass or the
mass of objects that we throw or project in
sport.
IMPACT
SPIN or ROTATIONS
• Spin is desirable on thrown and struck balls because it stabilizes flight and creates a fluid force called
lift.
• The lift force is used to create a curve or to counter gravity, which affects the trajectory and bounce of
the ball.

BACK SPIN TOP SPIN

BOTTOM OF BALL MOVING TOWARD THE DIRECTION OF TOP OF THE BALL MOVING TOWARD THE DIRECTION OF
THE BALL’S FLIGHT. THE BALL’S FLIGHT.
PRODUCES UPWARD LIFT FORCE PRODUCES DOWNWARD LIFT FORCE
 EQUILIBRIUM
• CENTER OF GRAVITY
• PINCIPLES OF BALANCE
• PRINCIPLES OF STABILITY
• STABILITY AGAINST A KNOWN FORCE
• BALANCE AND STABILITY WHILE IN MOTION
• POSTURE
• IMPORTANT CONCEPTS
CENTRE OF GRAVITY

• The Center of Gravity (COG) is an imaginary point

around which body weight is evenly distributed.
• Imaginary “point at which the entire weight of the body
may be assumed to be concentrated” (McGinnis, pg.
417).
• A lower centre of gravity makes the
body more stable during acceleration
• The line of the gravity is the direction
that gravity is acting upon the person
or object
• Base of Support the area around the
outside edge of the sections of your
body in contact with the ground of
surface.
-The larger base of support = more
stabilize
 STABILITY PRINCIPLES AND BALANCE IN
SPORTS
Stability principles give athletes rules about holding positions and staying on balance when running.
They guide training for improving firmness of positions both for static balance and dynamic balance.

1. To maintain balance when still, the athlete's center of gravity must remain over the base of support.
2. For greatest stability in all directions, the center of gravity should be over the center of the base of support.
3. An athlete can become more stable by lowering the center of gravity.
4. The greater the friction between the supporting surface and the athlete's body, the greater the ability to maintain
balance.
5. Shifting the center of gravity toward an approaching force increases an athlete's ability to maintain balance.
6. An opponent can be forced to lose balance if pushed or pulled in the direction where the center of gravity is closest to
the edge of the base of support.
7. For positions of readiness, the shorter the distance the center of gravity must move to clear the base of support, the
more rapidly the body can be put in motion in that direction.
 POSTURE
• Which enables the body to perform or function
effectively