An operational analysis of a one-handed catching task using high speed photography.

A standardized one-handed catching task was set up in the laboratory and performances of four competent Ss were recorded using a high speed photographic technique. Motor performance could be described in two sequential parts: orientation of the catching hand followed by a ballistic grasping movement. Successful performance of the task appeared to depend upon accurate organization of both these components, but emphasis lay upon spatial and temporal elements, respectively. The control of both phases involved prediction of the ball's motion from flight information sampled relatively early in the trajectory.