Centre of Gravity

1. Centre of Gravity • In simple terms your centre of gravity is your bodies point of balance. (It is somewhere close to your belly button) • Your centre of gravity is important because it helps you BALANCE.

2. The pictures below show how your Centre of Gravity shifts as you move your body.

3. Mechanical Principles Balance

4. Balance • Balance is the ability to hold a position in stillness. • Body tension is needed (This is the firming and tightening of muscles). • To stay balanced your Centre of gravity must be over your base of support. • The lower your centre of gravity the more balanced you will be.

5. Examples: Spreading out head and hands into a triangle when doing a headstand. • After kicking a ball, you would step forward into a lunge to keep you balanced.

6. Transfer of Weight

7. This is when you transfer your weight from back foot to front foot. • Moving your weight/centre of gravity outside of your base of support. • This normally gives more Speed, height + Power!! (also distance).

8. Transfer of weight is most common in striking (hitting) activities. • Examples: Badminton Serve, tennis Serve, Hockey push pass, Golf, baseball.

9. Task • Complete 3 pages in homework booklet.