Video Self-model Training of Punt Kicking

Abstract

DiŠerences in skill performance associated with side preference are observed in sports codes where an equivalent level of performance by both limbs is desired. In Australian Rules Football, some players can achieve long, accurate kicks with either foot, but other players typically have signiˆcant discrepancies between kicking sides. To improve punt kicking for distance and accuracy, video self-model training was applied to kicks made with the non-preferred foot, using the feedforward method. To show players performing at a level they could not currently achieve with their non-preferred foot, video of self was made with preferred foot kicks mirror-reversed and watched by the participants. Kicks made for distance showed an improvement in relative side-to-side performance from pretest to post-test, that continued at the retention test.

Is Mixed Practice More Effective than Physical Practice Alone for the Acquisition of Non-dominant Side Kicking Performance?

“…Moreover, training footage was captured from a frontal perspective as opposed to a posterior view, though evidence from Gonzales et al (2015) suggests both frontal and posterior views are equally effective. Finally, previous studies used a pre, post, and retention data collection procedure which demonstrated continued improvement at the retention test as opposed to the current study which only used a pre-post design (Steel et al, 2013a,b). …”

“…More recently, researchers have investigated video-self modeling (VSM) or observation of oneself performing various sports related movements, e.g., gymnastics (Winfrey and Weeks, 1993), running (Gonzales et al, 2015), weightlifting (Franks and Maile, 1991), swimming (Dowrick and Dove, 1980), Australian Rules Football (Steel et al, 2013a,b), and cycling (Jennings et al, 2013). Unlike findings in literacy (Rao et al, 2012; Gillies, 2013), autism (Bellini et al, 2007), cerebral palsy (Dowrick, 1976) and other behavioral sciences (Dowrick, 2012), sport movement studies have indicated mixed results in support of the learning efficacy of this method (e.g., Starek and McCullagh, 1999; Law and Ste-Marie, 2005; Feltz et al, 2008).…”

“…These include observers viewing the VSM footage of only their best performance, for instance the feedforward (FF) method (Steel et al, 2013a,b). FF is implemented by eliminating negative aspects of one's performance, or in more recent examples reversing performances of the dominant hand or foot to show apparent future performances of a skill (Steel et al, 2013a,b). …”

“…Data analysis demonstrated players' improved side-to-side kick performance from pre- to post-test, which continued at the retention test. A subsequent study involving a larger sample group provided further evidence of the effectiveness of VSM techniques (Steel et al, 2013b), where Australian Rules football players were asked to complete a series of dominant and non-dominant side kicks toward a target 25 m away as accurately as possible. Pre- and post-data comparisons demonstrated improvement on the non-dominant side.…”

Perceived usefulness of mirrored video self-modeling in the development of bilateral competence in elite team-sports

“…Carey et al, 2001;Petro & Szabo, 2016;Stöckel & Weigelt, 2012), the efficacy of mirror visual feedback, and the availability of mirrored video self-modelling, the method has received little VOLUME 13 | ISSUE 3 | 2018 | 623 attention. We are aware of three published papers testing the method of which one is ours (Petro & Bárdos, 2014;Steel, Adams, Coulson, Canning, & Hawtin, 2013;Steel & Ellem, 2016). These studies, in spite of different methodology, have revealed promising results that merit further investigations.…”