Stability/ Balance

Question 1

Balance

Answer 1

The ability to neutralise forces that disturb equilibrium.
Standing on one leg
Scooping a ball up on the run
“Bouncing” off a tackler without falling

Question 2

Stability

Answer 2

Object’s resistance to movement, from a balanced position. There are two types of stability:

STATIC STABILITY— when an object is at rest and not moving with linear or angular motion.
DYNAMIC STABILITY— when an object is in motion and moving with linear or angular motion.

Question 3

Center of gravity

Answer 3

The point around which a body’s weight is equally balanced in all directions. As your position changes – so does your centre of gravity. The position of the centre of gravity will determine whether the body is in balance.

Question 4

Determining the center of gravity

Answer 4

To determine ones COG, simply draw a box around the objects outer extremities. Then draw diagonal lines through the box, with the point of intersection determining the objects approximate COG.

Question 5

Factors affecting balance and stability

Answer 5

1. MASS OF THE OBJECT- The greater the mass of an object, the greater its stability will be, given that all other factors are equal.
2. SIZE OF THE OBJECTS BASE OF SUPPORT- The greater the area of support, the greater the degree of stability.
3. THE HEIGHT OF THE COG ABOVE THE BASE OF SUPPORT
   The higher the centre of gravity above the base of support, the less stable the object is. Athletes often lower their centre of gravity by bending the knees in order to increase their stability

Question 6

Center of gravity, stability and balance

Answer 6

In many sports skills, players are required to unbalance quickly in order to have a fast movement time. This can be done by either;
Decreasing the size of the effective base and/or
Displacing the centre of weight quickly outside the effective base