Alongside a fellow classmate at TAMUCC, we gathered data using technology and calculated kinematics through a biomechanics software as a final project, utilizing Microsoft PowerPoint.

1. Chest Pass
Analysis
BROOK BISHOP
JACEY SCRANTON

2. Outline
 Description of Motor Skill
 What is a Chest Pass?
 Special Considerations
 Movement Phases
 Novice and Expert
 Anatomical Analysis
 Preparatory Phase
 Windup Phase
 Force Production Phase
 Follow Through
 Neuromuscular Considerations
 Mechanical Analysis
 Identification of Errors and Prescriptions
for Improvement

3. What is a
Chest Pass?
A chest pass is a fundamental skill in the game of
basketball to quickly pass the ball to another
Utilized for high velocity, short distance passes,
typically within a 5 yard range
Ball needs to be thrown quickly and accurately
Ball is held at chest level and pushed forward in a
straight line to the recipient

4. Special Considerations
Equipment
Regulation size basketball
Environment
Basketball court or any large, open area

5. Movement Phases
 1. Preparatory Phase
 Athletic stance, with wide base of
support
 Slight bend in the knees
 Arms in front of the body, bent at the
elbows
 2. Windup Phase
 Similar position to prep phase
 Ball is pulled in close to the chest
 3. Force Production
 Step forward with dominant leg
 Extend both arms
 4. Follow Through
 Final moments of contact with the ball
 Both arms fully extended
 Wrist snap outward so the ball rolls off the
fingers

6. Expert Movement Phases
Preparatory Phase Windup Phase Force Production Follow Through

7. Novice Movement Phases
Preparatory Phase Windup Phase Force Production Follow Through

8. Expert
Chest
Pass

9. Novice
Chest
Pass

10. Anatomical
Analysis
PERTINENT JOINT ACTIONS, MUSCLE
ACTIONS, AND NEUROMUSCULAR
CONSIDERATIONS IN A CHEST PASS

11. Phase Joint Joint Action
Segment
Moved
Plane &
Axis of
Motion
Force
Contraction
Type
Prime Mover(s)
Preparatory
& Windup
Both
Shoulders
In
preparatory:
neutral
In windup:
Extension
Upper Arm
Sagittal/
Mediolateral
Internal
Concentric Posterior deltoids, latissimus dorsi
Both
Elbows
Flexion Forearm Concentric
Biceps brachii, brachialis,
brachioradialis
Both
Wrists
Extension Hand/Fingers Concentric
Extensors carpi radialis longus, carpi
radialis brevis, carpi ulnaris, digitorum,
pollicis longus
Both Hips Flexion Thigh Concentric Iliopsoas
Both
Knees
Flexion Lower Leg Concentric Hamstrings
Both
Ankles
Dorsiflexion Foot Concentric Anterior Tibialis

12. Phase Joint Joint Action
Segment
Moved
Plane &
Axis of
Motion
Force
Contraction
Type
Prime Mover(s)
Force
Production
Both
Shoulders
Flexion/
Protraction
Upper
Arm
Sagittal/
Mediolateral
Internal
Concentric
Pectoralis major, anterior deltoids,
anterior
Both
Elbows
Flexion Forearm Concentric Biceps brachii, brachialis, brachioradialis
Both
Wrists
Extension
Hand/
Fingers
Concentric
Extensors carpi radialis longus, carpi
radialis brevis, carpi ulnaris, digitorum,
pollicis longus
Left Hip Flexion Thigh Concentric Iliopsoas
Right Hip Extension Thigh
Concentric,
Eccentric
Gluteus maximus, Hamstrings
Left Knee Extension Lower Concentric Quadriceps
Right Knee Extension Lower Concentric Quadriceps
Left Ankle Dorsiflexion Foot Concentric Anterior Tibialis
Right
Ankle
Plantarflexion Foot Concentric Gastrocnemius, soleus

13. Phase Joint Joint Action
Segment
Moved
Plane & Axis of
Motion
Force
Contraction
Type
Prime Mover(s)
Follow
Through
Both
Shoulders
Flexion/
Protraction
Upper Arm
Sagittal/
Mediolateral
Internal
Concentric
Pectoralis major, anterior deltoids,
serratus anterior
Both Elbows Extension Forearm Concentric Triceps brachii
Both Wrists Flexion
Hand/
Fingers
Concentric
Flexors carpi radialis, carpi ulnaris,
digitorum superficialis, pollicis
longus, digitorum profundus
Left Hip Flexion Thigh Concentric Iliopsoas
Right Hip Extension Thigh
Concentric,
Eccentric
Gluteus maximus, Hamstrings
Left Knee Extension Lower Leg Concentric Quadriceps
Right Knee Extension Lower Leg Concentric Quadriceps
Left Ankle Dorsiflexion Foot Concentric Anterior Tibialis
Right Ankle Plantarflexion Foot Concentric Gastrocnemius, soleus

14. Neuromuscular
Considerations
• High velocity stretch occurs in the windup phase.
• The strong and sudden stretch causes the muscle spindles
to stimulate the phasic response, which produces a rapid
and more forceful muscle contraction (Hamilton, Weimar,
& Luttgens, 2012).
Stretch shortening reflex
• Relates to weight shifting.
• A pressure change on the bottom of the foot is detected
by Pacinian corpuscles which stimulate the extensor
muscle group of the lower extremity (Hamilton, Weimar,
& Luttgens, 2012).
Extensor thrust reflex

15. Mechanical Objective
Variable Formula Expert Novice
Moment of
Inertia
I = ⅀mr2 I = 3.03(.38)2
0.438
kgm2
I = 1.91(0.3)2
0.172
kgm2
Angular
ω = θ/t ω = 1.57 / 0.56 2.80
rads/s
ω = 1.57 / 0.6 2.62
rads/s
Angular
Acceleration
α = ω/t α = 2.80 / 0.56 5
rads/s2
α = 2.62 / 0.6 4.37
rads/s2
Angular
Momentum
L = Iω L = 0.438(2.80) 1.23
kgm2/s
L = 0.172(2.62) 0.45
kgm2/s
Torque
T = Iα T = 0.438(5) 2.19
Nm
T = 0.172(4.37) 0.75 Nm

16. Identification of
Novice Errors
 Greater vertical displacement of ball
 Novice ball makes a small arc instead
of a straight line to recipient
 Slower execution of movement
decreased angular velocity
and acceleration
 Smaller and less powerful step
forward limited the momentum
 Level of muscular strength limited
force production

17. Prescription for
Improvement
 Training to improve strength: chest
press, push-ups, and medicine ball toss
 Practice the sequence of motions to improve
acceleration through each phase
 Focus on throwing the ball at chest level to
decrease the effect of air resistance
 Extend the arms faster to push the ball with
greater force
 Take a bigger and more powerful step into
the force production phase

18. References
 Cronin, J. B., & Owen, G. J. (2004). Upper-Body Strength and Power Assessment
in Women Using a Chest Pass. The Journal of Strength and Conditioning
Research, 18(3), 401–404.
 Hamilton, N., Weimar, W., & Luttgens, K. (2012). Kinesiology: Scientific Basis of
Human Motion (12th ed.). New York, N.Y: McGraw-Hill.
 Izzo, R. E., & Russo, L. (2011). Analysis of Biomechanical Structure and Passing
Techniques in Basketball. Timisoara Physical Education & Rehabilitation
Journal, 3(6), 41–45.
 Limbaugh, G. K., Riemann, B. L., & Davies, G. J. (2011). Effects of Medicine Ball
Load on Chest Pass Performance and Selected Underlying Kinematics. Medicine
& Science in Sports & Exercise, 43(Suppl 1), 800.