Planes of Movement: Sagittal, Frontal, Transverse

OCR

GCSE

The three planes of movement—sagittal, frontal, and transverse—provide the fundamental biomechanical framework for analyzing human motion in three-dimensional space. Candidates must articulate how these imaginary flat surfaces divide the body and dictate specific movement patterns, such as flexion/extension in the sagittal plane and abduction/adduction in the frontal plane. Mastery requires the precise coupling of each plane with its corresponding axis of rotation to deconstruct complex sporting techniques effectively.

Objectives

Exam Tips

Pitfalls

Key Terms

Mark Points

What You Need to Demonstrate

Key skills and knowledge for this topic

Award marks for precise identification of the Sagittal plane for flexion/extension movements (e.g., forward roll, running action).
Credit responses that correctly pair the Frontal plane with the Sagittal axis for abduction/adduction (e.g., star jump, cartwheel).
Candidates must link the Transverse plane to rotational movements around the Longitudinal axis (e.g., discus turn, pirouette).
For analysis questions, award marks for dissecting complex skills into component phases and identifying the plane for each specific phase.

Example Examiner Feedback

Real feedback patterns examiners use when marking

"You have identified the plane correctly. To secure higher marks, explicitly state the corresponding axis of rotation."
"Your example of a 'kick' is too vague. Specify the joint action (e.g., hip flexion) to justify the Sagittal plane."
"Different phases of the movement occur in different planes. Analyse the preparatory phase separately from the execution phase."
"Ensure you distinguish between the plane the body moves *in* and the axis the body rotates *around*."

Marking Points

Key points examiners look for in your answers

Award marks for precise identification of the Sagittal plane for flexion/extension movements (e.g., forward roll, running action).
Credit responses that correctly pair the Frontal plane with the Sagittal axis for abduction/adduction (e.g., star jump, cartwheel).
Candidates must link the Transverse plane to rotational movements around the Longitudinal axis (e.g., discus turn, pirouette).
For analysis questions, award marks for dissecting complex skills into component phases and identifying the plane for each specific phase.

Examiner Tips

Expert advice for maximising your marks

💡Utilize the acronyms ST (Sagittal-Transverse), FS (Frontal-Sagittal), and TL (Transverse-Longitudinal) to ensure correct pairing of planes and axes.
💡When analysing a movement, visualize the 'pane of glass' that the athlete moves parallel to; if the glass breaks, it is the wrong plane.
💡Ensure examples are specific (e.g., 'hip abduction in hurdles') rather than generic (e.g., 'running') to demonstrate AO2 application.

Common Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

Confusing the Frontal plane (side-to-side division) with the Sagittal plane (left-to-right division).
Incorrectly pairing planes with axes (e.g., pairing Sagittal plane with Longitudinal axis instead of Transverse axis).
Describing the movement direction colloquially (e.g., 'moving sideways') rather than utilizing the specific terminology 'Frontal plane'.
Failing to isolate the specific joint action when identifying the plane (e.g., analysing the whole body rather than the hip joint).

Study Guide Available

Comprehensive revision notes & examples

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Key Terminology

Essential terms to know

Biomechanical Plane-Axis Interaction

Directional Movement Classification (Flexion, Extension, Abduction, Rotation)

Kinematic Analysis of Sporting Techniques

Likely Command Words

How questions on this topic are typically asked

Identify

Describe

Explain

Analyse

Justify

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