Performance Analysis in Softball

Introduction: Cycle of Analysis

The cycle of analysis is a process, which can be followed to ensure you always keep improving your game or skills. Following the cycle of analysis will ensure your performance keeps getting better without ever reaching a plateau.

Stage 1 Review & evaluate performance (Investigate)

Stage 6 Carry out plan of action Stage 5 Prepare Action Plan

Stage 2 Identify key points

Stage 3 Compare to model Performer

Stage 4 Identify Strengths and Weaknesses

(Analysis)

Performance Analysis in Softball

THESE are the tasks required for this Criterion A softball assessment: A. VIEW supplied video clips performing the skills and identify the key points of how to perform each skill (Batting, Pitching, Fielding Ground Ball, Fielding Fly Ball). Video yourself performing the 4 skills (Batting, Pitching, Fielding Ground Ball, Fielding Fly Ball). View the video of yourself and using the checklists supplied, IDENTIFY your strengths and weaknesses in performing each of the skills Select the 2 skills you think you need to improve most and prepare a PLAN of ACTION to improve those 2 of the skills. As part of the warm-up for each class follow that skills improvement plan. PLAY a softball game and evaluate your performance and the success of your plan

B.

C.

D.

E. F.

TASK 1: Breakdown of Volleyball Skills: Identify Key Points

For the four skills of softball, break each one down into preparation, execution and follow through in terms of the key points for each of the phases. You can use the video footage supplied. Use other softball resources (books, internet) to identify the key points of each phase of the skill. SKILL Preparation Execution (body position, arm (position of arm, action, leg action) body and legs) Pitching One hand on Step forward the ball with the non-ball Place the other side foot hand for (Switching support Weight) Stand with both Bend the back feet together on leg as switching the rubber plate weight Swing arm back and release the ball when it right when it is about to pass your hip Make sure the ball is released in an underarm motion Batting Both hands on Eyes the bat (Ideal concentrated on hand below the the ball other one) Swing the bat as Body facing the ball comes sideways closer Both knees bent Switch weight Position the bat onto other leg right above the while swinging plate for the bat preparation Fielding Fly Ball Ready position (Knees Bent) Eyes on the ball Run towards the ball Lift both hands up preparing to catch the ball Elbows pointing outwards Follow Through (arm action, body position, leg action) Knees bent, ready position Step forward towards batter with pivot foot Watch for ball

After swinging the bat should be behind the shoulder Put the bat down on the ground Sprint towards first base and possibly onwards After the ball is caught, put the other hand over the glove/ball for safety Lower both hands down Prepare to throw the ball to another player Get up Ready position Prepare to

Fielding Ground

Eyes on the ball Body facing the ball

Move towards the ball Go down on one

Ball

knee Lower both hands down on the ground, ready to field Use the other hand for support

throw the ball to another player

GQ: How have I demonstrated critical thinking skills to analyze my performance? Now take video footage of yourself performing the 4 skills. You need to have video of yourself performing each skill from at least 2 different directions (i.e. front & back / left & right). Use the video footage of the model performer supplied and the video you have taken of your own performance. Analyse your performance and compare to the model performer to complete your objective analysis. Use the checklist supplied to determine your strengths and weaknesses. Identify your strengths and weaknesses. Make sure that you consider the following points in your analysis: How does my own performance differ from that of the model performances? Consider each of the 4 skills and each phase of each skill. What areas of each of the phases of the 4 skills resemble the model performance? What do I need to do to improve my performance? What are my strengths for each of the phases of the 4 skills?

TASK 2: Compare with Model performer / video analysis

Present your analysis using the table below SKILL Preparation (body position, arm action, leg action)
Strengths Pivot foot (ball side)

Execution (position of arm, body and legs)

Strengths Shift weight to pivot foot Step towards batter with non0ball side foot Toes of stepping foot point to target Arms swings forward, fingers behind ball Fingers under ball Release ball in front of hip Areas to Improve Arm down and behind body (backswing)

Follow Through (arm action, body position, leg action)

Strengths Watch for hit ball Areas to Improve Step forward towards batter with pivot foot Hands follow through above head Knees bent, square stance, ready position Hands at ready fielding position

Pitching

on pitchers plate Weight on back goot Body faces squarely towards batter Come to full stop
Areas to Improve Stagger stride Ball held in front of body with 3 finger grip

Batting

Strengths Stance square to home plate Take on step back away from home plate Grip bat with muddle knuckles lined up Knees slightly bent Focus on the ball Areas to Improve Front elbow low, back elbow Strength of grip Make sure bat is not behind back

Strengths Focus on the ball Hips rotate, pivot on feet Time swing on ball flight Contact ball with bat at stomach level Areas to Improve Step with front foot Arms extended Front leg straight/back leg bent

Strengths Weight centered evenly between 2 feet Swing through ball Hands wrap around front shoulder Chin finishes on shoulder Areas to Improve Hips square

Fielding Fly Ball

Strengths Stagger stride, glove-side foot ahead Knees slightly bent Focus on ball Hands chest-high fingers up Areas to Improve

Strengths Line up body to ball Glove hand up body Meet ball high out in front of

Strengths Areas to Improve Shift weight onto throwingside foot Glove side of body faces towards target Ball to throwing position Glove elbow points toward target

Areas to Improve Watch ball into glove Put throwing hand onto the ball

Fielding Ground Ball

Strengths Stagger stride Back flat Focus on ball Areas to Improve Ready position Knees bent

Strengths Line up body to ball Move in towards ball Glove-hands-knee down Field ball in front of body Watch ball into glove Put throwing hand onto the ball Areas to Improve

Strengths Areas to Improve Stand and shift weight onto back foot Glove side of body faces towards target Ball to overhand throwing position Glove elbow points toward target

Now you have identified your strengths and weaknesses in all 4 skills, you have to decide what you are going to do to improve them. This is called your plan of action. You can use books, videos, the internet, papers, magazines, and people with expertise like members of the P.E. department and coaches.

TASK 3: Prepare a Plan of Action (training)

Pick the 2 skills which you feel needs the most work for improvement and write your plan of action (skill practice) to improve your areas of weakness in that skill. Your training programme should meet the following criteria: Be 15 minute in duration Include at least one movement drill that focuses on your agility for fielding. This will be your warm up drill (3 minutes) Consist of various practices/ drills that focus on your weak areas of each phase of the individual skill. Include some individual practice and drills with a partner Each drill focuses on the specific area of the skill that needs to improve Include the number of repetitions of each drill and the amount of time it will take

Example of individual program: Due on DAY E

Skill
Agility activity

drill #1
Warming up: Agility Ladder Running in fielding. 3 minutes Use rebound net and throw passes of varying strength X15

Drill #2

Drill #3

order to help improve speed and footwork when With a partner throw hard and fast grounders x 12 high fly balls x 10 Find the heaviest bat and hold it in both hands with the bat pointing to the sky. Lower the bat to the left (Waist high) then right then left again. Repeat 15 times to help improve arm/wrist speed and strength. With a partner, throw overarm: 40 passes over 10 m 30 passes over 15 m 20 passes over 20 m When the batter is in the ready position, partner stands behind and holds the end of the bat with both hands, as the batter swings all the way through. The purpose is to practice a complete swing and follow through. X15

Throwing / catching

Batting

Use the tee ball with a rebound net to improve aiming and body posture to reach full maximum batting potential X15

Pitching

Place a hula hoop 10 meters away from the pitcher. Pitch the ball and try to aim so that the ball lands inside the hula hoop. This will improve aiming and to be more precise. X 20

With a catcher. The pitcher stands 5 meters away from the catcher and throws the ball aiming to hit the plate After 15 times or continuously hitting the plate 3 times, the pitcher moves 2 meters back. To have more control in the arm X15

Bending down to one knee while trying to keep balance with ball held in front. Switching foot after 5 times each side. This will improve on balance for the whole motion for pitching.

TASK 4: Re-Evaluate Performance

Now complete the following evaluation after the final game play to determine the effectiveness of your action plan This unit has been specifically about learning to make judgments as to HOW you can learn best (on your own, in groups, by watching it, by hearing descriptions..) Did you engage in reflection and thinking? Could you transfer some of your prior knowledge from other games to this activity? 1. Describe your performance of during the game. Refer specifically to the skill you

selected to improve. Consider your accuracy, control and consistency of each of the three main skills. on your accuracy and your intentions if applicable.

2. Did you perform team plays with your team members? How? /Why not? Comment 3. What areas did you feel you improved on? How did you know that you improved these areas of the skills? How effective was your skill practice / training? 4. What do you still need to develop in terms of your pitching, batting or fielding? Batting: With the help of Kinovea, I was able to identify the areas that needed improvement In this particular performance; I think I was able to improve some of the skills for batting. Since the Kinovea task, I noticed that there were a lot of things that needed improvement and I think this activity was extremely effective and useful: (Use the tee ball with a rebound net to improve aiming and body posture to reach full maximum batting potential X15) I made sure that my front leg was straight, and my back leg was bent, the bat was not behind my back, my front elbow was low, and my back elbow was high, and I also tried controlling the strength of my grip. Khun Or also commented that my position and body posture was pretty good, but I would have to improve on being more consistent and accurate. I was a little disappointed with myself because during practice games, I would always be able to hit the ball. Perhaps, my nerves got the better of me. Thinking back and after getting a chance to look at the skill sheet, one thing I forgot to do was step with my front foot towards the ball. Instead, I sort of just stood there wondering whether I should swing the bat or not and if the ball would hit the base or not. I definitely need to improve my accuracy in hitting the ball, and to be able to realize when it is the appropriate time to swing the bat. Controlling the bat is also another very important thing that I could work on. Fielding - Ground Ball: My fielding performance was inconsistent. I tried engaging as much as possible by running as fast as I could towards the ball, even though it was not in my area. I missed a few ground balls, but it was mostly not in my area, therefore I could not run there in time. I checked the skill sheet, and there were a lot of things that needed improvement in the follow through section, such as: Stand and shift weight onto back foot, glove side of body faces towards target, ball to overhand throwing position, glove elbow points toward target. I was not able to show it during my performance as I did not get the ball, but I know I am capable of doing it (I have practiced this skill during practice sessions). I am happy with my fielding performance because I feel like I gave it my absolute best in getting the ball.

Fielding Fly Ball: I am actually confused with how I did in my fielding a fly ball performance. I played as center field and there was a fly ball that was heading towards my area of the field, but it was fast and very high up. If I was going to catch it, I would have to run backwards, but after all these lessons, Mr. Bellamy taught us to run towards the ball and not backwards. This got me confused in what to do. Luckily, my team mate ran behind me and shouted mine and he was able to catch the ball instead. I think the communication between my team members were great; we constantly gave each other advice and reminded each other where (which base) to throw the ball to, etc. During practice sessions (also in my activities sheet) I practiced catching fly balls a lot of times, but I felt like I need to improve in controlling the ball. In my skill sheet, there were a lot of things I needed to improve on, especially in the execution section, which I was not able to complete as I did not catch the ball. Overall, I think the Kinovea task was very helpful as we were able to identify our strong areas and also the areas of improvement. Personally, I think it is difficult to see improvement comparing the videos we filmed to our final performance. In my case, I was not able to perform some of the skills I needed to improve on (such as pitching), therefore it was difficult to point out the things that I improved on. Although my final performance did not reflect on everything I was capable of doing, I know I have improved so much over the softball lessons. Obviously, even though I have improved a lot, there are always skills areas that could be developed, by applying control, accuracy, and consistency to my performance. See the rubric below for your assessment

YEAR 10 Softball Criterion A: Use of Knowledge (Maximum Level of Achievement: 8) Level 0 Descriptor
The use of terminology is inconsistent, inappropriate or incorrect. Demonstrates a limited knowledge of principles, concepts, strategies, techniques and rules related to the physical education topic or activity. Sometimes uses this knowledge to analyse and solve problems in familiar situations. Uses basic terminology that is sometimes inaccurate or inappropriate. Demonstrates a basic knowledge of principles, concepts, strategies, techniques and rules related to the physical education topic or activity. Uses this knowledge to analyse and solve problems in familiar situations. Uses a range of terminology, accurately and appropriately in some situations. Demonstrates a good knowledge of principles, concepts, strategies, techniques and rules related to the physical education topic or activity. Uses this knowledge to analyse and solve problems in

Indicators
Use of softball terminology is inconsistent, inappropriate or incorrect. Demonstrates a limited knowledge of basic techniques related to softball skill execution. Occasionally uses this knowledge to analyse skills, plan appropriate skill practices for areas for individual improvement. Sometimes evaluates the success of skill training plans. Uses basic softball terminology that is sometimes inaccurate or inappropriate. Demonstrates a basic knowledge of techniques related to softball skill execution. Uses this knowledge to analyse skills and plan appropriate skill practices for some areas for individual improvement. Evaluation of success of skill training plan lacks depth. Uses some softball terminology, accurately and appropriately in some situations. Demonstrates good knowledge of techniques related to softball skill execution. Uses this knowledge to analyse skills and plan appropriate skill practices for most areas for individual improvement.

The student does not reach a standard described by any of the descriptors given below.

12

34

56

familiar and some unfamiliar situations. Uses a wide range of physical education terminology accurately and appropriately in most situations. Demonstrates a thorough knowledge of principles, concepts, strategies, techniques and rules related to the physical education topic or activity. Uses this knowledge wisely and effectively to analyse and solve problems in familiar and unfamiliar situations.

78

Evaluation of success of skill training plan shows some depth. Uses a range of softball terminology accurately and appropriately in most situations. Demonstrates thorough knowledge of techniques related to softball skill execution. Uses this knowledge to analyse skills and plan appropriate skill practices for all relevant areas for individual improvement. Evaluation of success of skill training plan shows good depth.