Coordination
Coordination is the ability to repeatedly execute a sequence of movements smoothly and accurately. This may involve the senses, muscular contractions and joint movements.
Everything that we participate in requires the ability to coordinate our limbs to achieve a successful outcome - from walking to the more complex movements of athletic events like the pole vault.
Coordination skills in sport
All sports require the coordination of eyes, hands and/or feet and maybe an implement (racket) and a ball. Racket sports (e.g. tennis and squash) require the coordination of hand, eyes and racket to connect the racket with the incoming ball as well as position our body in the appropriate position to return the ball in an efficient and effective manner.
Hockey requires the coordination of hands, eyes and hockey stick to connect with the ball, Football primarily requires the coordination of feet, eyes and ball and Rugby the coordination of hands, eyes and ball.
When did you last have your eyes tested?
Children
Children have a better sense of of balance and coordination due to their body size and lower centre of gravity and so have the ability to learn complicated movements/skills such as those required of a gymnast.
As they experience growth spurts muscle development may take 12 to 18 months to adjust to the new bone growth and during this time they may find the following are negatively effected:
- Coordination skills
- Athletic performances
- Mobility/Flexibility
It is important that coaches educate their athletes as to why they are experiencing problems and focus on developing their flexibility.
Testing
The hexagon test is a coordination test for the lower limbs and catching a ball is a simple hand-eye coordination test.
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Associated Pages
The following Sports Coach pages should be read in conjunction with this page:
- Articles on Conditioning Training
- Conditioning
- Core Stability
- Flexibility
- Dynamic Stretching Exercises
- Pilates
- Static Stretching Exercises
- Warm Up and Cool Down
Associated Books
The following books provide more information related to this topic:
- Advanced Studies in Physical Education and Sport, P Beashel et al., ISBN 0 17 4482345
- Physical Education and the Study of Sport, B. Davis et al., ISBN 0 7234 31752
- Essentials of Exercise Physiology, W.D. McArdle et al., ISBN 0 683 30507 7
- Physical Education and Sport Studies, D. Roscoe et al., ISBN 1 901424 20 0
- The World of Sport Examined, P. Beashel et al., ISBN 0 17 438719 9
- Advanced PE for Edexcel, F. Galligan et al., ISBN 0 435 50643 9
- Examining Physical Education, K. Bizley, ISBN 0 435 50660 9
- Sport and PE, K Wesson et al., ISBN 0 340 683821
- PE for you, J. Honeybourne, ISBN 0 7487 3277 2
Keywords: coordination, movements, ability, sport, muscle, growth, joint, limbs, contractions, spurts, cordination, ordination, stretching, control, execute, sequence, handbook, require, skills, racket, physical, education, hands, flexibility, exercise