Centre of Gravity
The single point at which the body's mass is balanced in all directions, and around which it tends to rotate and balance.
Definition
The centre of gravity is the theoretical point where the body's weight is evenly distributed. In a person standing upright it sits roughly around the pelvis, but it shifts constantly as the limbs move, and it can even fall outside the body when an athlete arches or pikes, as in a high-jump Fosbury flop.
Managing the centre of gravity is central to balance and stability: keeping it low and over the base of support aids control when defending or changing direction, while raising or projecting it matters in jumping and throwing. It is a core idea in biomechanics for explaining how bodies stay upright, topple or rotate.
Where you’ll hear “centre of gravity”
Sports that use this term:
Basketball
A fast, dynamic team sport of running, jumping and quick decisions on court.
Football
The world’s most popular team sport — endless running, teamwork and community in one game.
Fitness
Strength and general fitness training — the foundation that supports every other sport.
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Movement patterns
- AccelerationThe athletic pattern of building speed from a standing or slow start by driving large horizontal forces into the ground to project the body forward.
- BackpedalControlled backward locomotion performed while facing forward, staying low and pushing off the balls of the feet in short strides to stay reactive and keep play in view.
- Change of DirectionA planned redirection of the body from one movement vector to another, requiring an athlete to decelerate existing momentum and reaccelerate along a new line between two known points.
- Crossover StepA lateral or diagonal travelling step in which one leg crosses over the other with accompanying hip and trunk rotation, trading a stable base for greater reach and speed.
- CutA sharp, frequently reactive plant-and-redirect performed in a single decisive foot contact to evade an opponent or abruptly alter a line of travel.
Muscle groups
- Lower backThe muscles running along the base of the spine that keep the trunk upright and support bending and lifting.
- ShouldersThe rounded muscles capping the shoulder joint that lift and rotate the arms in every direction.
- ObliquesThe muscles on the sides of the trunk that rotate and side-bend the torso and help brace the core.
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- Content type
- Term
- Provenance
- Tier A — evergreen educational
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- Content updated
- 2026-09-01
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