Flexibility and sports performing

Flexibility is important throughout our whole body. Not only does it help our joints work through their full range of movement and enable us to move about with more ease and comfort, but flexibility also enables our muscles to work at their peak performance. This helps protect us from injury when participating in sports or any general physical activity. We get flexibility through our parents. we can't increase but we should better through regular practices.


In Sports like: cricket- Wicket keeper, Silly point fielder, Slip fielder, Bowler everyone have required Flexibility but i should say, wicket keeper have require more flexibility in terms of others players in cricket..

Types of Flexibility

There are two basic types of flexibility, static and dynamic. Static flexibility relates to ROM about a joint with no emphasis on movement speed. For example static flexibility is utilised when the gymnast performs a split. For the Rugby player the front row will require good shoulder but not excessive flexibility to maintain constant and static pressure on the opposition in a scrum. Thus there is a certain requirement for static flexibility in sport. Dynamic flexibility on the other hand corresponds to the ability to use a range of movement in performance of a physical activity at either normal or rapid speed. This is the type of flexibility that predominates in most sports. Here, too, flexibility is specific. If a golfer who is limited in shoulder rotation will not possess the ideal ROM in the back or down swing. Thus dynamic and static flexibility are required in most sports and different sports make different flexibility demands.

Poor Flexibility Results From:

1. Overemphasis on concentric work.
2. Inadequate stretching to counteract shortening effects of concentric work.
Muscles must be worked eccentrically and allowed to avail of full lengthening to promote flexibility.



In the end, having a clear understanding of the roles flexibility, mobility, and the specific muscles of the core have would enable for more functional training programs to be implemented. Which, in turn, may result in a more efficient transfer of these skills to actual sporting competition. A good combination of all of these elements is very beneficial for an athlete to keep the body fresh and greatly help reduce the likelihood of injuries.

What do you think of when you hear the term ‘sports coach’

What is a sports coach?

Sports coaches guide people to achieve their full potential within a range of areas. They can work with professional or elite athletes, either as individuals or as part of a team. Sports coaches can also work with community teams and school groups, with young and even everyday people also able to benefit from regularly utilising a sports coach.
Coaches may work full-time, split their time with other tasks or even volunteer their time for a local community event or sports day.

Critical roles of a sports coach

It is true that one of the key reasons behind utilising a sports coach is to improve sporting performance. However, sports coaches bring so much more to the role than just achieving results on a scoreboard.
According to the Australian Sports Commission, a sports coach needs to be – among other things – a mentor, teacher, psychologist, physiologist, and confidante. They also need to bring skills such as diplomacy, negotiation, facilitation, organisation, problem solving and motivation.
So how does all this translate into day-to-day coaching? Well here are just some of the roles that sports coaches are asked to play:

• Assessor and advisor — Coaches need to be able to assess an athlete’s performance and advise on which areas need to be improved. The advice given by a sports coach may also cover training recovery, working with injuries, nutrition, and developing a positive mental attitude.
• Role model — Coaches must understand that their athletes look up to them, so it is important that they ‘practice what they preach’, have integrity and behave in a way that is respectful to their sport and those around them.
• Mentor — Many sports coaches will also find themselves working as guides. The role of a mentor is to guide a less experienced person by building trust and modelling positive behaviour. While coaches need to look after their athletes’ health (physical and mental) and their safety, they will also need to get ‘tough’ with their mentee from time to time.
• Counsellor/confidante — Athletes are not superheroes. At some stage, they will be disappointed with their results or experience personal issues that may affect their training. An athlete’s coach will provide vital professional and personal support. It is also important that anything discussed in confidence during these times remains just between the coach and athlete.
• Motivator — When the chips are down, and their athletes are feeling a little flat, a sports coach can provide them with some much-needed motivation. It is important to note that this does not mean yelling at an athlete – instead, it means knowing what will turn their headspace around. Motivation at its best is used to keep propelling athletes forward, which is why coaches should spend most of their time providing motivation.
• Cheerleader — One of the most enjoyable aspects of coaching is celebrating success. Whether it be winning a medal, a final, or simply celebrating a new personal best, it’s important for the coach to celebrate alongside their star athletes.

An opportunity to make a difference

Good coaches are not only called upon to improve their athlete’s performance but to also encourage positive thinking, teamwork, resilience, a good work ethic, and respect and love for the game. As such, sports coaches play an integral part in human development, and the influence a good coach can have on their athlete’s life can go way beyond the sporting field.
Whether it is a kids’ basketball team or an athlete preparing for the Olympic Games, the primary role of a sports coach is to provide a unique opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life.