Author Archive Movement

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Golf: Swing Analysis of the Two Leading Ryder Cup stars

Heading into the biggest competition in Golf things are even at the top of the world rankings. According to CBS Sports the number one player in the world, Dustin Johnson, is American. While the second, Jon Rahm, is European. In contrast, the PGA Tour has their ranks reversed. Regardless, according to multiple Golf ranking sites, Rahm and Johnson are one and two, whichever the order. To be considered one of the best two players in the game requires an elite swing. But who out of the two has the more efficient and effective movement?

While there are similarities in swing movement, there are subtle differences too. While one also has an increased injury risk in the future. By understanding how they move we can improve ourselves or young players too. Comparing ourselves to the best in the world will also help identify areas for improvement in our swings. Let’s have a look.

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Emma Raducanu: movement analysis

Emma Raducanu’s run to victory in the 2021 US Open was unprecedented. No British female had won a grand slam in over 44 years. No qualifier had ever won a Grand Slam. And she didn’t drop a single set all championship! Wow. That’s the equivalent of a North West Counties team winning the FA Cup without conceding a single goal! But what makes Raducanu so good? How did this 18 year burst onto the tennis scene in record breaking fashion?

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Multi-Sport Benefits in Movement Development

Robert Lewondowski is a Bundesliga record-breaker. In 2021 he beat Gerd Muller’s single season goal scoring record held since 1972. Furthermore, over the past ten years only a goalkeeper, in a less physically demanding position, has played more matches in Germany’s top flight (Coleman, 2021).  Meanwhile, Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is scoring goals in his age 39 season. He played in over 30 matches while competing in Serie A, one of the world’s top leagues. This analysis looks at each player’s movement to determine what enables them to perform to such a high standard for an extended period of time, with limited injuries. Furthermore, it questions whether the answer could be found in their multi-sport background.

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How to Move like a Successful Goalkeeper

Sir Alex Ferguson was once attributed with the oft-championed point that attacks win you games, but defence wins you titles. One of his former players, Gary Neville has commented that a Goalkeeper is the most important position in football. Given that the Goalkeeper is the last line of defence this is easy to understand.

Even when a study found Ferguson’s claim not to be 100% accurate, Premier League Champions have still been found to possess the second best record in the division on average (Smith, 2017). A Goalkeeper is vital to a defence, so if you want a strong defence you need a strong Goalkeeper. But what makes a strong Goalkeeper? The Movement Lesson Sports Academy analyses which movements Goalkeepers require to make key saves. Want to become a successful Goalkeeper, you want to be able to produce these movements.

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Nearly Two Decades of James Anderson: how has his movement made him the most successful fast bowler ever?

On 7th February 2021, 43-year-old Tom Brady won the Super Bowl. Just 48 hours later 38-year-old James Anderson produced one of the great bowling spells in Cricket history. As a result, both have been lauded as the Greatest Of All Time in their sport, at a time when they’re supposed to be past their best. Furthermore, “Jimmy” did it in conditions that it is repeatedly claimed do not suit him. Against the number 1 ranked team in the world who had only lost once at home the preceding eight years.

James Anderson is the leading wicket taker for a fast bowler in history. To achieve this many wickets you need to be A) good and B) have a long career avoiding injury. The longevity of a fast bowler’s career is usually shorter than a spin bowler due to the intensity of the action and the stress it puts on the body. Let’s take a look at how James Anderson’s movements helped him stay top of his game for such an extended period of time. 

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Can improving Jason Roy’s Pelvic Strike make him a force in the Test arena?

The pelvic strike plays a key role in movement effectiveness and efficiency. As a result it can be essential to batting in Cricket. This analysis on the Movement Lesson Sports Academy compares the pelvic strike between Jason Roy and Laurie Evans in the Vitality Blast 2020 Final. Subsequently, it leads us to ask whether Jason Roy could become an explosive, successful test player. Could he become a top-order power in the England test team?

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Two Decades of Tom Brady: how has his movement kept him at the top?

At 43 the list of records held by Tom Brady puts him in the conversation of best athlete ever. He has played the most and won the most games by a quarterback . Furthermore he has the most combined touchdown passes. Brady is the oldest quarterback to lead the league in passing yards, as well as the oldest winner of the NFL MVP.

All this and not to mention he has the most Super Bowl appearances (9) and wins (6). Consequently, victory with the Buccaneers would mean that Brady will have won more Super Bowls than any team in NFL history. This for a franchise that has not made it to the post-season since 2007, or advanced beyond the Wild Card round since 2002. As a result, it would not be a surprise if the Patriots’ hierarchy are sat at home regretting their decision to let Brady walk away last year.

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How a Golf Swing is improved by Movement Lesson

Golf is one of the most popular recreational activities around the world. From young to old. Male and female. Australasia to Northern Europe. Whenever the sun is shining hordes descend on the green links for some competition, fun and exercise. However, a poor golf swing can lead to so much frustration. Balls landing in the rough, trees or water. Suddenly that leisurely round of golf is ruining a good walk! Consequently, that back-pain, neck-ache or frustration from work gets a little bit worse.

As we approach the end of ‘Lockdown Part II’ golf courses around the country will be open again. Movement LessonTM can help ensure that leisurely afternoon does not turn to frustration by improving the mechanics of your swing. Want to find out how? Watch the video below. As a result you will see how a session can lead to improved rotation of the spine and greater integration of the shoulder and hips. Furthermore, better balance is promoted and greater vision focused on the ball.

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Baseball Pitching Analysis: Clayton Kershaw

Clayton Kershaw is one of the best pitchers of his generation. He continues to stay ahead of the curve by making necessary tweaks to his pitching mechanics. As a result he is the ace of the Los Angeles Dodgers and a World Series winner. This is seen in the the video below. It provides some great analysis of the minor tweaks recently made to his pitching mechanics. He found great success with an unorthodox delivery that consequently could take him to the Hall of Fame. Here former Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher, Felipe Perez breaks down Kershaw’s mechanics and the improvements observed in Kershaw’s delivery.

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He’s not Messi he’s Jordan Henderson: pelvic strike

At the start of this article let me clarify that I am not criticising Jordan Henderson for not being Lionel Messi. Some might say it’s unfair to compare Henderson’s pelvic strike with the best player in the world. However, this is an analysis of movement and, when we are striving to improve, we should always compare ourselves with the best. Learn to move like them and consequently we can find areas in our movement to improve. This is where Movement LessonTM can help our body to move more efficiently and effectively, playing an important role in a footballer’s prehabilitation. On the eve of the commencement of the 2021 champions league, comparing the captain of Liverpool with the captain of Barcelona seems a good starting point.

Jordan Henderson is in the midst of a stellar career. A premier league winner, a Champions league winner & 50+ cap England player. You might wonder if there’s any need to highlight what it is that Henderson needs to improve. Even in the video embedded just below this paragraph, there are some spectacular goals scored by Henderson. However, there is a clear flaw to his technique too, which could make his career even better. It is to do with his pelvic strike or lack thereof.

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