Effect of Instructions Prioritizing Speed or Accuracy on Kinematics and Kicking Performance in Football Players. Issue 4 (4th July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: van den Tillaar, Roland; Fuglstad, Pål
• Is Part Of: Journal of motor behavior. Volume 49:Issue 4(2017)
• Page Start: 414
• Page End: 421
• Publication Date: 2017-07-04
• Subjects: Fitts' law -- kinematics -- performance -- speed-accuracy trade-off; Human mechanics -- Periodicals; Movement, Psychology of -- Periodicals; Motor Activity -- Periodicals; Motor Skills -- Periodicals; Bewegingsleer; Mécanique humaine -- Périodiques; Psychomotricité -- Périodiques; 612.705
• DOI: 10.1080/00222895.2016.1219311
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-2895

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The authors' purpose was to investigate if there is a speed accuracy trade-off in soccer kicking by using instructions prioritizing velocity, accuracy, or both upon soccer kicking performance and kicking direction in experienced soccer players. In addition, kinematics were measured to investigate the eventual differences in performance. Thirteen experienced male footballers performed penalty kicks with different instructions prioritizing velocity, accuracy or both. Three-dimensional kinematics, together with maximal ball velocity and hitting accuracy, were measured on all kicks. The main findings were that when the main aim was accuracy, accuracy increased, while the velocity reduced, which supports Fitts' law (Fitts, 1954 ). In addition, kicking accuracy was higher when kicking to the contralateral side. The slower ball velocity was caused by lower segmental and in run velocities. These lower segmental velocities were mainly caused by the lower maximal knee extension and pelvis rotation during the accuracy priority kicks.