Saturday, August 12, 2023

Unveiling the Influence of Netball on Feminine Movement

This study dives into netball's potential impact on feminine body comportment – how women move and present themselves. Rather than innate biology, societal, historical, and cultural factors shape women's movement patterns. We explore how netball's rules and structure interact with feminine body comportment, drawing insights from women's basketball and tracing their historical roots.

Unpacking I.M. Young's theory of feminine body comportment, we unveil concepts like 'ambiguous transcendence,' 'inhibited intentionality,' and 'discontinuous unity.' Applying these notions to netball, we show how they resonate with actual movement. Dianne Chisholm's counterpoints, including 'crux' and 'flow,' are also probed, discussing their impact on movement freedom.

Our findings reflect on the implications for netball, revealing the potential reinforcement of traditional feminine behaviors through negative modalities. Simultaneously, we highlight opportunities for female transcendence through positive ones. We acknowledge the gender imbalance in netball and discuss the journey towards inclusivity for all genders.

In essence, our exploration sheds light on the intricate interplay between netball's rules, societal expectations, and feminine movement patterns. This investigation sparks broader conversations about the philosophical aspects of women's sports.


The Quest for Fluid Excellence in Netball


Imagine the seamless dance of "pure fluid action" in netball – a dynamic team sport with both practiced and confined movement. While success hinges on swift ball passing, stringent footwork rules limit movement upon ball reception.

We delve into the challenges faced by female netball players due to these rules, and how historical gender norms influence their playing style. Theories like Young's feminine modalities come into play, categorizing movement into concepts like "ambiguous transcendence," "inhibited intentionality," and "discontinuous unity." Chisholm's perspective introduces "crux" and "flow," portraying key moments and instinctive movements.

Furthermore, we explore these theories' impact on netball and other sports, drawing parallels with nature sports like rock climbing. Risk and decision-making are scrutinized. The concept of "flow" is analyzed against netball's stop-and-start nature, assessing rhythmic movement in various sports.

In sum, our exploration navigates the intricate web of rules, physicality, gender norms, and movement theories in netball and sports at large.

The Ebb and Flow of Netball's Feminine Dynamics


Diving into the realm of "flow" in sports, netball takes the spotlight. Chisholm's definition highlights flow-rich sports like gymnastics, rowing, kayaking, swimming, and cycling. However, netball's speed belies its fluctuating movement due to sudden changes, potentially causing injuries. Adhering to rules can facilitate fluid ball movement, aligning with Chisholm's flow concept.

Contemplating the feminization of sports, adaptations like netball, softball, and ringette surface, spotlighting the impact of societal perceptions on gender roles. Two paths emerge: hypothetically eliminating feminized sports or expanding opportunities for gender-integrated play. The latter challenges traditional gender assumptions.

The discourse revolves around gender integration in sports, unveiling its pros and cons. Acknowledging the historical sidelining of women's sports and concerns over coexisting spaces, we delve into roller derby as a case study, exposing various motivations for upholding women's domains.

The text evaluates netball's feminization, proposing rule updates. Amending dress codes and allowing more contact emerge as strategies to challenge restrictive behaviors while fostering inclusivity. Our paper emphasizes the need for ongoing research to grasp gender dynamics in sports, urging for broader categorizations that embrace diverse participation. Ultimately, it calls for a reimagining of netball's role in championing bodily transcendence – a journey that involves redefining categories, exploring gender integration, and confronting stereotypes.


Howe, O. R. (2023). Netball and the interpellation of feminine body comportment. Sport in Society, ahead-of-print(ahead-of-print), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1080/17430437.2023.2173583

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