Dr Kevin Ball

Kevin has worked for 25 years in sports biomechanics and skill acquisition. After seven years at the Australian institute of Sport Biomechanics unit, Kevin completed his masters and PhD at Victoria University before working as assistant coach/biomechanist for the Fremantle football club.

Kevin is currently the Australian junior AFL kicking coach, the South Sydney Rabbitohs kicking coach and consults to a number of AFL clubs. He is also on the editorial board of Sports Biomechanics, a director of the International Socieyt of Biomechanics in Sport, an associate member of the AFL Sport Science Advisory Group and is a member of the AFL kicking skill acquisition group.

Kevin has (co)authored two book chapters, 35 peer reviewed journal articles and over 50 conference papers as well as numerous coaching guides. Dr Ball has also presented five national and international keynotes and 10 invited talks.

Recent publications

Ball, K. (2013). Loading and performance of the support leg in kicking. Journal of Science & Medicine in Sport, 16, 455-462.

Ball, K., Talbert, D, and Taylor, S. (2013) Biomechanics of goal-kicking in rugby league. In H. Nunome, B. Drust, & Dawson, B. (Eds.), Science and Football VII (pp. 47-52). New York: Routledge.

Phillips, E., Farrow, D., Ball, K., and Helmer, R. (2013) Harnessing and Understanding Feedback Technology in Applied Settings. Sports Medicine 43, 219-232.

Zois, J., Bishop, D., Fairweather, I., Ball, K. and Aughey, R. J. (2013). High-Intensity Re-Warm-Ups Enhance Soccer Performance. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 34, 800-808

Lorains, M., Ball, K. and MacMahon, C. (2013). An above real time training intervention for sport decision making. Psychology of Sport & Exercise, 17, 670-677.

Research grants

Kevin has been a leader of or contributor to 12 academic and research consultancy projects with a total funding allocation of more than $500,000.

• AFL ball study (comparison of brands)
• Evaluation of skills tests in FAL
• Development of non-preferred leg kicking in juniors
• Biomechanical analysis of impact in punt kicking
• Evaluation of different synthetic cricket pitch surfaces
• Analysis of head mounted night vision goggles and effect of fatigue
• Biomechanical analysis of elite pistol and rifle shooters

Teaching responsibilities

• Sports Biomechanics coordinator
• Biomechanics and Sports Engineering coordinator
• Biomechanics for PE co-developer and guest lecturer
• Talent identification guest lecturer

Postgraduate Research Students and Fellows

Completions

2 Postdoctoral Fellows, 4 PhD students (2 as principal supervisor) and 15 Honours students (13 as principal supervisor)

Current supervision

1 Postdoctoral Fellow student and 9 PhD students (6 as principal supervisor, 3 as co-supervisor)

Professional memberships

• Editorial Board – Sports Biomechanics
• Editorial Board – Applied Golf Science
• Director International Society of Biomechanics in Sport (ISBS)
• ISBS scientific committee
• Sports Engineering Scientific Committee
• AFL kicking coaching Committee
• Victoria University Sports Committee

Industry experience

Kevin has extensive industry experience across the spectrum of sports science having working in the Sports Institute system, professional sport and university. During this time Dr Ball has chaired or been a member of  sports science committees for Fremantle, Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs AFL clubs, Melbourne Storm and South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL clubs and Australian Waterpolo.

Appearance in the media

Kevin is a regular contributor to television and radio sports shows including:

• Game Day, Channel 7 (2013), Comparing Sherrin and Burley balls.
• Scope, Channel 10 (2012), Biomechanical analysis of kicking, Channel 10
• SEN radio (2012, 2013) Numerous interviews on kicking issues.
• Contributor to over 50 newspaper or sports magazine articles on topics including kicking, skill development, biomechanics and injury