Sports Skills: How One Movement in One Sport Can Enhance Performance in Another

Each sport is different, but they all share similar principles of movement.  

Sports skills—whether it is the use of power, coordination, or technique—are universal, and understanding how one movement in one sport can benefit another can help athletes enhance their overall abilities.  

“Bodies don’t recognize the sport they’re playing; bodies simply recognize the movements they’re making,” shares Neha Kapoor, Computational Biomechanist at Bertec. “As we understand the universal nature of physical movement, we can identify skills and techniques that can be adapted and transferred to other sports, which can improve overall performance.”  

A prime example of this transferability is the ability to generate explosive power through jumps. Movements like jumping for a basketball rebound, heading a soccer ball, spiking a volleyball, and sprinting off starting blocks all require explosive lower-leg body movements to maximize performance. By improving their jumping ability, athletes can increase their explosiveness and apply this ability to similar movements in other sports.  

Golf Swing to Baseball Swing 

One of the most notable examples of a transferable sports skill is the golf swing and the baseball swing. While they may seem worlds apart—one is for a slow-paced game, and the other is fast and reactive—the core mechanics behind these two movements are strikingly similar. Golf players and baseball players alike note the similarities.  

In both the golf and baseball swing, the key to power lies in the rotational movement of the body. The golfer and the baseball hitter both use their hips, torso, and shoulders to generate force. The golf swing begins with a coil as the body rotates away from the ball, creating stored energy. This energy is then unleashed through a powerful follow-through. Similarly, in a baseball swing, the batter starts with a coil in the hips and torso as the pitch is delivered and then rotates quickly to generate power and speed as the bat contacts the ball.  The Bertec Swing Station helps athletes and coaches optimize swing mechanics for increased power, speed, and accuracy for both baseball and golf. 

The Power of Transferable Movement Skills 

Sports skills developed in one discipline can often enhance performance in another. Whether it is the rotation used in a golf swing and a baseball swing, the timing in a tennis serve and a volleyball serve, or the efficient movement in cycling and rowing, athletes who understand the mechanics behind one sport can transfer these skills to improve their performance in another. By recognizing the similarities between movements in different sports, athletes can improve their overall athleticism, gain new perspectives, and enhance their skills across the board.  

Learn how our Swing Station can help your golf swing or baseball swing: connect with us here