ABSTRACT
A number of methods exist for the qualitative analysis of movement in sport (e.g. Hay and Reid, 1982; McPherson, 1990; Lees, 1999), which ultimately aim to help identify the effectiveness of performance of a sports skill. Some methods involve movement simplification by using phase analysis and others the identification of the mechanical factors affecting performance. Most methods encourage the search for critical features. A critical feature can be defined as an observable component of the movement that is essential for optimal or maximal performance (McPherson, 1990). However, very few studies have provided any sort of guidance as to how to select the critical features that are directly related to performance.
