Shoulder

Movement
Analysis Project
By: Teddy Parham, Griffin Hartshorn &
Christine Jimenez
Introduction

We will be discussing the biomechanics of a volleyball

serve
We will analyze the different phases of the serve as well
The serve is broken down into five phases
We will analyze what muscles are being used and how
to prevent potential shoulder injuries
Videos

Front view- http://www.hudl.com/technique/video/view/gIioeWbd

Back view- http://www.hudl.com/technique/video/view/q6odPHzB

Left view- http://www.hudl.com/technique/video/view/EODCUFVy

Right view- http://www.hudl.com/technique/video/view/EODCUFVy

Method
Take a video of a volleyball topspin serve from all four angles (right,
left, front, and back)
Have the athlete do multiple serves
Make sure the athlete does the correct movements during each of
the 5 phases
Approach
Takeoff
Arm cocking
Arm acceleration
Follow-through
On the Hudl Technique app, calculate the angle degrees of the
shoulder in each phase
Phase 1
 Approach

Have the athlete hold the ball

with their dominant hand
Have the athlete toss the ball the
dominant hand two feet in the air
in front of the hand that will serve
the ball
While the ball is in the air, the
athlete will swing back their
Trapezius, deltoids, Pectoralis
minors, triceps, and the
latissimus dorsi
Phase 2
 Takeoff

The takeoff happens as the

player throws the ball up in the
air.
As the ball is in the air, the
athlete takes the three step
approach
The athlete jumps on the third
step.
Phase 3
 Arm Cocking

They cock their dominant hand

back slightly to gain momentum
They hit the ball mid-air and aim
straight forward to where they
want the ball to go
The arm cocking is necessary to
hit the ball as it gives you more
force in the hit rather than just
tossing the ball.
Phase 4
 Arm Acceleration

The arm acceleration comes

from as far as you cock your
arm back
The further your arm is cocked
back the more speed and
momentum will hit the ball
Acceleration allows the athlete
to gain power in order to allow
the ball to travel.
Phase 5
 Follow-Through

The follow through begins right after hitting the

ball with the dominant hand and ends when the
athlete begins falling to the ground
The act of hitting the ball involves 7 key
muscles which are the deltoid, rhomboid minor,
rhomboid major, serratus anterior, trapezius,
pectoralis minor, subclavius, and the levator
scapula.
The follow through will determine where the ball
ends up on the other side of the net
You must go through the 5 phases correctly to
perform an accurate serve
Injury risk and Prevention

Common shoulder injury is overuse in rotator

cuff muscles and ligaments
Tendinitis, Bursitis, Labrum tear
Minimize the range of motion in
shoulder
Physical Therapy can help with
injuries/prevent injuries
Surgery if needed to return a player
Stretch before every game or practice
Rest is very important
Ice
Strength Training
Injury Pictures Labrum Tear
Bibliography

Works Cited

Reeser, Jonathan C. et al. Upper Limb Biomechanics During the Volleyball Serve and Spike.
Sports Health 2.5 (2010): 368374. PMC. Web. 20 Nov. 2017.

Alexander, Marion, and Adrian Honish. "An Analysis of the Volleyball Jump Serve." University of
Manitoba, umanitoba.ca/faculties/kinrec/hlhpri/media/vb_jump_serve.pdf. Accessed 20 Nov.
2017.

Harris, Trent, and Ross Dempster. "Biomechanical Principles Involved in the Volleyball Serve."
Blogspot, Blogger, 15 June 2016,
volleyballdynamics3531.blogspot.com/2016/06/major-question.html. Accessed 20 Nov. 2017.