SELF-ORGANISING MAP ANALYSIS OF RUGBY PLACEKICKING BIOMECHANICS

Authors

Kim Hébert-Losier, Faculty of Health, Sport and Human Performance, University of WaikatoFollow
Christopher Martyn Beaven, Faculty of Health, Sport and Human Performance, University of WaikatoFollow
Peter Lamb, School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of OtagoFollow

Category

Rugby codes

Document Type

Paper

Abstract

Our aim was to use a self-organising map (SOM) to examine key biomechanical variables previously identified to discriminate best from worst placekicking attempts. Placekicker and ball 3D biomechanics were acquired from three competitive placekickers who performed 10 kicks outdoors, 35-m from the posts. Seven key variables were extracted for SOM analysis and kicks were categorised into "best", "typical", and "worst" for each placekicker based on kick outcomes and player and coach ratings. SOM output indicated that three clusters best explained intra-cluster similarities and inter-cluster differences. The three clusters highlighted differences between the biomechanical variables of the three placekickers rather than the best, typical, and worst kicks. Within-clusters, however, the best and worst kicks tended to be represented by nodes in separate map regions.

Recommended Citation

Hébert-Losier, Kim; Beaven, Christopher Martyn; and Lamb, Peter (2018) "SELF-ORGANISING MAP ANALYSIS OF RUGBY PLACEKICKING BIOMECHANICS," ISBS Proceedings Archive: Vol. 36: Iss. 1, Article 248.
Available at: https://commons.nmu.edu/isbs/vol36/iss1/248