Coaching Practice Example

Coaching Practice Example Coaching Practice â€" Assignment Example > IntroductionLike any other throwing activity of the body, the javelin is a dynamic activity that makes use of the full body. It requires the involvement of all major muscles. Specifically, its main stay of power and exertion is in the shoulder and arm muscles. However, it also requires a balanced involvement of the abdominals, the hips and the lower limbs. There has been literature and coaching practice indicating that javelin is more than just a ‘throw’. As such, whereas throws will only incorporate a predominantly activity of the arm, a javelin throw is a dynamic movement that is over arm with a whip-and-flail whole body technique (Rogers 2000). It is vital that a coach has an in-depth understanding of the principles and processes that underlie such combinations of movement. This paper is an explanation of javelin throw movements from the point of view of coaching science and practice using a right-hand throw. It will expound on the movement processes, muscle involved as wel l as key performance indicators. It will also evaluate a video of a javelin throw and use the indicators to point out the strengths and errors to which it will suggest possible workable interventions. Movement sequence and muscles The javelin throw is best done at the optimum moment. As a coach, the emphasis is made on the training the athlete for the technique of this release. This training is entrenched in ensuring that the performer understands and applies the relationship between the body and the javelin at the optimum release. This is in addition to the role of speed in approach and power in release. With reference to optimization, it is vital that all variables pertinent to a successful motion be either maximized or minimized. This variation of the interplay is tuned or balanced to a set of equation constraints relative to kinematic factors (Hughes Franks 2004). The kinematic factors reveal a sequence of several phases: approach, transition, block and release and a follow t hrough. Given the complexity of a javelin throw and its aerodynamic differences with other throws it is quite a task to differentiate these stages. Davids (2006) points out that the performance analysis of movements of such a complexity can only be predicted if explored over selected portions of the activity and not using isolated aspects. In the approach section, the performer prepares the throw with a run-up. This begins with a start and carry section where the javelin is a carried in the throwing arm in a relaxed muscle tone. At the start and carry, the athletes stands with the throwing foot forward, carries the javelin above the shoulders or the head with the carryng shoulder pointing forward. The grip entails having the palm facing up providing a place for the javelin to sit on (Ahala ¯vata 2009). As such, the javelin is in the direction of the throw. The approach is a run up in which the performer builds body velocity whose energy is transferred to the throw. The approach se ction has been indicated as a major difference affecting the quality and distance of throws amongt elites. This run up should be present gradual acceleration so that the athlete builds to the maximum controllable speed at the optimum in transition and release (Rogers 2000). The run is on the balls of the feet and high hips, preparing the body hip flexion at transition and release. . At this point, the javelin carry is level or tip down to enable in alignment at withdrawal and enhanced eye-hand coordination. The withdrawal cum transition phase prepares the javelin for the flail-and-whip-action. It also prepares the trunk and lower body for a fast and powerful block and release. For the withdrawal, the shoulders turn and the carrying arm is laid back so that it is above the shoulder plane with an extrernal rotation. This sets up a pre-torque position in which the javelin is aligned to the chin, and in tandem with the direction of the shoulders. It is balanced on the counter side by a swing of the opposite hand across the chest.