| This study investigated the effect of emphasizing speed, accuracy, or an equal emphasis on speed and accuracy on learning the overhand lacrosse throw by children (aged 12--14 years). Three groups received instruction weighted toward speed (S), accuracy (A) or an equal (E) emphasis on speed and accuracy. The acquisition of a qualitatively sound overhand lacrosse throw (good form) was the main goal of the instruction, along with speed (force) and accuracy.;Six dependent measures were assessed for each overhand lacrosse throw: the total form, arm action form, speed, accuracy, combined speed and accuracy (the sum of T-scores for speed and accuracy), and a derived speed plus accuracy score (0--18 pts).;Participants were 112 male and female junior high school students from 6 separate intact physical education classes who were randomly assigned, by their physical education class, to an instructional group, S, A or E. There were 17 practice and instructional sessions and 5 testing days. On testing days five throws were attempted and a radar gun was used to measure throwing speed (mph) at a target (35 ft away) with nine concentric circles used to determine accuracy. For the transfer test, the throwing line was off-set 10ft to the right or left of center of the target. Knowledge of results was provided as a derived speed plus accuracy score (0--18 pts).;Based on the significant differences in total form and arm action form, in favor of the S and E groups over the A group (p < .05), it was recommended that when teaching the overhand lacrosse throw, emphasis should be placed on speed or an equal emphasis on speed and accuracy rather than accuracy, in order to elicit the best movement patterns. All participants showed significant increases (p < .05) in the mean speed (mph), accuracy and derived speed plus accuracy scores as well as improved consistency (reduced VE scores) for form, speed, accuracy, T-scores, and speed plus accuracy scores of the throws based upon the practice time allowed. These changes over time were expected as a result of the instructional program. |
