Acceleration In The First Three Phases Of Linear Kinematics

Linear Kinematics. Fielding a backhand requires acceleration and deceleration. The fielder must accelerate towards the ball and decelerate when approaching the ball to field it. Acceleration occurs in the first three phases of the backhand and deceleration occurs in the critical phase, drive phase, when the fielder picks up the ball with their glove. Acceleration helps the athlete gain distance between the fielding positon and the ball. This allows the fielder to get their glove in front of the ball and field the ball quickly. Rotary or Angular Kinematics. A significant amount of force is placed on the right, non-glove side, knee during the drive step. This is classified as torque on the knee because of the amount of force being placed
on the knee. In order to determine the amount of torque, angular acceleration is calculated along with the Range of Motion of the knee. The torque on the right knee during the drive step phase is used to set the athlete’s feet and drive the left knee to push the body’s momentum behind the throw.
Kinetics.
Muscular and gravity force allow movement of the joints when performing the softball backhand. The force of gravity is constantly pulling on the athlete, as their body uses muscular force to change direction from the approach phase to the drive step phase. When changing direction, acceleration occurs as the right foot pushes off of the ground and uses muscular force for knee drive. The acceleration of the knee drive allows the athlete to apply muscular force into the throw. The Force of Gravity. Gravity affects the movement of the joints involved in the softball backhand. The right knee joint produces motion when flexing during the drive step phase. This also affects the athlete fielding the ball in the prepatory step phase. Acceleration of an object increases by 32 feet per second or 9.8 meters per second squared because of the force of gravity.