Centre of mass

Centre of mass is a major contributor to the performance of any athlete. Prior to shooting the ball, the stability and balance of the athlete is a vital factor in success of shooting percentage. Aspects such as core strength and base stability have large influences on the of the centre of mass. Gravity impacts the centre of mass based the stability of the athlete according their base of support.

Figure 2.1

Figure 2.1- The picture above is an example of how the stability of an object can be affected depending on the position of its centre of mass. This demonstrates that the further away (higher) the centre of gravity is from the base of support, stability decreases for the object. Where as the closer (lower) the centre of gravity, the more stability the object gains.

In basketball the jump shot is one of the most used shooting form. Accuracy is extremely crucial to achieve such a shot and this is the reason as to why ‘low horizontal mobility and high stability’ need to be recognised (Spina, et al, 1995).

Figure 2.2

Figure 2.2- In the picture above Ray Allen is executing a jump shot. From the sixth to the ninth frames it appears as though Allen is ‘hanging’ in the air whilst taking his shot for goal. The five frames beforehand will help explain how it allows Allen to perform such a shot. From the first to fifth frames Allen is running up into his jump shot, he stays low towards the ground allowing his centre of mass to gain stability and balance. Frames four to six demonstrate the legs starting from a coiled position to rapidly extending the legs out, in order to push the upper body upwards, whilst the body’s centre of mass falls. Due to gravity Allen begins to fall back toward the ground so he rapidly extends his legs back down, ‘as his upper body moves upwards’ in order to conserve momentum (Blazevich, 2010). Due to the centre of mass moving in a downward motion and the upper body moving upwards, Allen is able to almost hang in the air, and remain stable (Blazevich, 2010).