Stance Phase of Basketball Chest Pass.
Stance
Prep.
Movement
Follow Through (wrists)
When it comes to the basketball chest pass, there are many things to consider in order to
perform this action. What type of chest pass? How hard/soft do I need to pass the ball? In this paper, we
are going to describe the different types of movements that are involved in this two handed basketball
chest pass. We will discuss the different muscles groups, and anatomical positions involving the upper
and lower extremity of the body. We will also touch point on the Newton’s Laws used for this, as well as
other forces.
To start off, every action begins with a stance. In this example, the stance phase means that the
person is holding the basketball with both hands, in front of the body with your feet shoulder width
apart looking forward. (Refer to the picture above) starting with the upper body, your shoulders are
obviously stationary, meaning there is absolutely no movement. This means that your shoulder is in an
isometric state. As you move down the body your elbows and forearms are also in an isometric state
held in flexion. The muscles that allow this action to happen include the Bicep Brachii, Brachialis, and
Brachioradialis. From here the hand and wrist are major components of this pass. The hand is in an
isometric state, and the phalanges are in abduction because they are spread out in order to grip the ball.
The muscles that are needed for this action include the 4 dorsal interrossel’s. Your wrist will be in a
slight extension. The muscles included for this are extensor carpi ulnaris, extensor carpi radialis longus,
extensor carpi radialis brevis.
The parts needed for the lower extremity of the body include the knee and foot. Both knees in
the stance phase are the same; they are both held in an isometric state in extension. The muscles
needed for this are the Rectus Femoris, Vastus Laterlis, Vastus Intermedius, Vastus Medialis. Moving
past the knee down to the feet they are also the same in the stance phase. Both are planted in an
isometric state.
Newton’s Laws are also at work here for this pass. In the stance the only law that applies is the
first law. This law states that an object at rest stays at rest, unless acted on by an outside force. In this
case, the ball is not moving, and is being held by person. The stance phase also includes the first
principle of stability, which basically states that the larger the base, the more stable the object will be. In
this case the base for the person are the legs being shoulder width apart. This allows for more stability.
Preparatory Phase.
Stance
Prep.
Movement
Follow Through (wrists)
In the preparatory phase, the shoulder is adducted. This means that the shoulder girdle is in
depression, and the muscles, which include the Trapezius, and the Rhomboids, are concentric. Moving
through to the forearm and elbow, both are in flexion getting ready to pass the ball. This means the
muscles, which includethe Bicep Brachii, the Brachialis, and the Brachioradialis are all in an isometric
state. The hand is abducted and the 4 dorsal interrossei muscles are isometric. In the wrist there is a
slight extension. The Extensor Carpi Ulnaris, and the Extensor Carpi Radialis are the muscles that are
being used in this action.
When it comes to the knee, the movements and stuff depends on which leg is the dominate,
and which leg is the non-dominate leg. In this case we’re going to say that the left knee is the nondominate. This means that the knee is in extension and the muscles, which include the Rectus Femoris,
Vastus Lateralis, Vastus intermedius and the Vastus Medialis are all concentric. In the right knee
(dominate) there is a slight flexion. The muscles that are used in this action are the Semitendinosus,
Semimembranosus, and the Bicep Femoris which are all concentric at this point. Moving from the knee
to the foot, both feet are in plantar flexion, and the muscles being used is the Gastrocnemius and the
Soleus.
Newton’s first Law of Motion applies to this phase. This is because the ball is still at rest in the
hands of the person, as well as the body. Also the arms are in motion until the person stops them. When
it comes to the Principles of Stability, the first principle applies. This principle states that the larger the
base, the more stable the object. The legs are shoulder width apart in order for the person passing the
ball to get the best pass possible.
Follow Through Phase.
Stance
Prep.
Movement
Follow Through (wrists)
In the follow through phase, the shoulder would be in abduction. This means that the shoulder
girdle is in elevation, and the muscles are eccentric. The muscles used for this action is the Pectoralis
Minor, and Serratus Anterior. Moving down to the Elbow and Forearm, the arms will be extended. The
two muscles used in this movement is the Triceps Brachii, and the Anconeus. The Tricep Brachii is
concentric, while the anconeus is eccentric. Throughout this motion the forearm is in pronation. The
muscles that are used are the Pronator Teres, Pronator Quadratus, and the Brachioradialis, which are all
eccentric. After the ball has been pushed out, the hand and wrist are then in the follow through motion.
The hand would be isometric at this point, and the phalange’s are abducted. The muscles used in this
are the 4 Dorsal Interrossei. The wrist however is in slight flexion and slight abduction, causing the hands
to be in pronation. The muscles used in this is the Flexor Carpi Ulnaris, Flexor carpi Radialis, and the
Palmaris Longus.
Moving down to the knee, each knee is going to be different or the same as our example
depending on the person’s dominate and non-dominate leg. In this example, let’s say the left leg is the
non-dominate leg. This knee will be in extension, and the muscles involved; Rectus Femoris, Vastus
Lateralis, Vastus Intermedius, and Vastus Medialis are all concentric. In the right knee (dominate leg)
there will be a slight flexion causing the muscles to be concentric and the muscles involved are the
Semitendinosus, Semimembranosus, and the Bicep Femoris. The foot is next. Both feet are in plantar
flexion, and the muscles used are the Gastrocnemius and Soleus.
Newton’s laws apply to this phase as well. The laws that apply are all three laws. The first law
applies in the sense that the ball that was passed will continue moving until another force has acted on
it. The second law applies in the sense that the ball will go in the direction that the person forces it to
go, and the third law applies because the action of force that is applied to ball is equal to the force of the
arm push. The principles of stability that apply to the follow through phase include principle 4. This is
because the step that is taken in this phase allows the base of support to be widened in the direction of
the force application. This means that the step forward allows more force to be exerted when the ball is
thrown. At the point the ball is thrown, it will travel in a linear motion, meaning that ball will travel in a
straight path. After this fore absorption will occur, meaning velocity of the moving object will come to a
gradual stop. In other words, the ball will stop when it is caught, or when it hits the grounds and comes
to a complete stop. Some factors that influence this pass include the projection angle of the ball, the
projection velocity of the ball, and the projection height of the ball.