PDFE Assignment 3

I recently watched an Atlanta Braves baseball game, as I pretty much do every night throughout the summer. The Braves played the Washington Nationals on their quest do give away all possible playoff hopes. Since baseball is such a reactionary sport there were many instances where I was able to see various aspects that go along with the human reaction. The most obvious way one could see human reaction would be the batters response to when the pitcher threw the ball. The batter has less than a second to decide whether or not to swing. Along with this difficult task the batter also must adjust and swing to a ball that can have tremendously sharp movement. I was able to view Hick's Law when the umpire called balls and strikes. The location of the pitch was the stimulus while the umpires decision to call a ball or a strike was the response choice. During the game, reaction time could be seen as the fielders attempted to field the ball once it was hit. There was a definite lag between the time the batter hit the ball and to the time the fielder made his initial move to field the ball. There were several instances where the pitcher would throw over to first in an attempt to pick off the runner or just keep him closer to the base. Because the pitcher initiated the stimulus, the time it took the base runner to return to the base was the Psychological Refactory Period. I was able to see a prime example of anticipation when the Washington Nationals set up a shift to try and prevent Brian McCann from getting a hit. The Nationals placed three infielders on the right side of the infield because McCann tends to hit the ball on the right side of the infield whenever he makes contact. Baseball is nothing more than a series of short immediate reactions. Hopefully the Braves can react a little faster before they loose all hopes of a postseason.

PDFE Assignment 3

I recently watched an Atlanta Braves baseball game, as I pretty much do every night throughout the summer. The Braves played the Washington Nationals on their quest do give away all possible playoff hopes. Since baseball is such a reactionary sport there were many instances where I was able to see various aspects that go along with the human reaction. The most obvious way one could see human reaction would be the batters response to when the pitcher threw the ball. The batter has less than a second to decide whether or not to swing. Along with this difficult task the batter also must adjust and swing to a ball that can have tremendously sharp movement. I was able to view Hick's Law when the umpire called balls and strikes. The location of the pitch was the stimulus while the umpires decision to call a ball or a strike was the response choice. During the game, reaction time could be seen as the fielders attempted to field the ball once it was hit. There was a definite lag between the time the batter hit the ball and to the time the fielder made his initial move to field the ball. There were several instances where the pitcher would throw over to first in an attempt to pick off the runner or just keep him closer to the base. Because the pitcher initiated the stimulus, the time it took the base runner to return to the base was the Psychological Refactory Period. I was able to see a prime example of anticipation when the Washington Nationals set up a shift to try and prevent Brian McCann from getting a hit. The Nationals placed three infielders on the right side of the infield because McCann tends to hit the ball on the right side of the infield whenever he makes contact. Baseball is nothing more than a series of short immediate reactions. Hopefully the Braves can react a little faster before they loose all hopes of a postseason.

Minutes

Jump Shot Balla's

Monday September 13th 6:45-7:15pm

Cage Classroom

Amanda, Jeff, & Robert

Discuss and determine a plan for our next group meeting.

Next Meeting: Monday September 20th, 4:00 pm MAC Gymnasium.

~We will meet in the Cage lobby then head down to the MAC to work on our project.

Project: Comparing a basketball jump shot of someone with a beginners skill level to someone that has a collegiate skill level, and to someone that has the skill level of a professional athlete.

Materials: Camera/Video Camera, Basketball, Basketball Goal, Beginner Player.

Tasks: Interview Derek Taylor (Assistant Basketball Coach) about his 6 S's of a jump shot.

Start an outline and PowerPoint presentation that goes along with our project.

Focus largely on the comparisons between the different skill levels.

Each group member will complete 1/3rd of the project.

Jeff: Find and bring the needed supplies and materials for the project.

Amanda: Group Leader

Robert: Minute Recorder

PDFE Assignment 2

This week on Wednesday, September 8th, I observed a P90X workout in the large classroom located in the rear of the Cage Center. The class was composed of approximately 15 students ranging from freshmen to seniors. This was more specifically a plyometrics workout, therefore it involved a decent amount of jumping, sliding, running, and leaping. Because of the large amounts of running and jumping, this activity was a significant locomotor movement workout. There was very little if any manipulative movement that took place throughout the workout. The only example the I witnessed would be when the students retrieved water bottles. I viewed this as manipulative movement because the students had to coordinate with their hands and mouth in order to drink their water.

The students focused on many muscle groups when doing the workout. The main points of focus were the legs (calfs, quads, and hamstrings) and core (abdominal) muscle group and this would be considered the gross movement that took place throughout the workout. These muscle groups were what allowed the students to participate in the exercises throughout this workout. The workouts involved throughout the workout was a continuous motor skill, because with each separate exercise there was a distinct beginning and end. As the workout progressed I was able to determine that there were many exercises that required decision making movements. I believe this because many of the exercises involved were advanced movements that involved multiple stages. (ex. running then leaping then sliding).

The environment of this environment was closed. Students participated inside a closed classroom while watching a DVD that explained the different exercises. The only way I could see the environment being unpredictable would be if the DVD player broke, or a fan fell on a student.

PDFE Assignment 1

I recently observed a pickup game of basketball for approximately an hour to an hour and a half. There were 14 male student athletes that ranged from freshmen to 5th year seniors. Throughout the course of the pickup games the student athletes performed many athletic actions such as running, jumping, shooting, sliding, passing, and dribbling. The pickup game took place in the Multi-Activity Center inside the Cage Center. These pickup games sporadically occur 3 times throughout the week. These games usually last between an hour and two hours. The actions performed throughout course of the game varied in difficulty, but for the most part the actions were increasingly difficult.

The student athletes involved were considerably safe given the circumstances. There was a constant possibility of a sudden injury like a sprained ankle or dehydration, but for the most part the athletes took considerable care of their bodies.

As the student athletes participate in the pickup games there was never a clear-cut teaching section, but it was evident that the players were learning as they continued to play. At one specific point during the competition, a certain player made a move in an attempt to score. After the player failed to score there was a break in play. At this point a sophomore and an upperclassman approached the player and explained what he did wrong and what he could have done to perform better in the future.

The athletes involved were constantly moving unless they were stretching or not involved in the actual game.

The activities seemed to be developmentally appropriate for the players involved because everyone involved had a previous history with basketball. If there had been someone playing with no basketball background the game would have increased significantly in difficulty.

If I were to personally teach the activity I would have spent more time teaching. For the most part the athletes involved seemed to enjoy playing. There were some players who complained on occasion. There were also players that were upset with themselves if they did not play well, but for the most part the players enjoyed playing.