Planes of Movement

When analysing movement in sport, we need a way to describe the direction of movement. Planes of movement are imaginary flat surfaces that divide the body and describe the direction in which a movement occurs. For AQA GCSE PE (spec 3.1.2), you need to know the three planes, be able to define each one, and link them to specific sporting examples.

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What Is a Plane of Movement?

A plane is an imaginary flat surface that passes through the body. It divides the body into two halves and describes the direction of movement at a joint. Think of it as an invisible sheet of glass that the body moves along.

There are three planes of movement:

Plane	Direction of Division	Type of Movement
Sagittal (also called median)	Divides body into left and right halves	Forward and backward movements
Frontal (also called coronal)	Divides body into front and back halves	Side-to-side movements
Transverse (also called horizontal)	Divides body into top and bottom halves	Rotational (twisting) movements

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The Sagittal Plane

The sagittal plane divides the body into left and right halves. Movements in this plane go forwards and backwards (or up and down in the same forward-backward direction).

graph TD
    A[Sagittal Plane] --> B["Divides body into<br>LEFT and RIGHT"]
    B --> C["Movements go<br>FORWARD and BACKWARD"]
    C --> D[Flexion and Extension]
    D --> E["Examples:<br>Running<br>Squatting<br>Bicep curl<br>Somersault<br>Kicking a ball"]
    style A fill:#4a90d9,color:#fff
    style C fill:#27ae60,color:#fff
    style E fill:#f39c12,color:#fff

Key Actions in the Sagittal Plane

Joint Action	Description	Sporting Example
Flexion	Decreasing the angle at a joint	Bending the knee when squatting
Extension	Increasing the angle at a joint	Straightening the leg when kicking
Dorsiflexion	Pulling the toes up towards the shin	Pulling the foot back to trap a football
Plantarflexion	Pointing the toes downward	Pushing off the ground when sprinting

Sporting Examples in the Sagittal Plane

Sport/Activity	Action	Why Sagittal?
Running	Leg swings forward and back	Limbs move in a forward-backward direction
Squatting	Bending and straightening knees	Movement is forward-backward (flexion/extension)
Bicep curl	Forearm moves up towards shoulder	Movement is in the forward-backward plane
Front somersault	Body rotates forward	The body rotates through the sagittal plane
Football kick	Leg swings forward to strike the ball	The kicking leg moves forward in the sagittal plane
Long jump	Run-up and jump forward	Movement is predominantly forward

Exam Tip: The sagittal plane is the easiest to remember because it involves the most common movements — walking, running, squatting, jumping. If the movement goes forward or backward, it is in the sagittal plane.

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The Frontal Plane

The frontal plane (also called the coronal plane) divides the body into front (anterior) and back (posterior) halves. Movements in this plane go side to side.

graph TD
    A[Frontal Plane] --> B["Divides body into<br>FRONT and BACK"]
    B --> C["Movements go<br>SIDE TO SIDE"]
    C --> D[Abduction and Adduction]
    D --> E["Examples:<br>Star jumps<br>Cartwheel<br>Lateral raise<br>Goalkeeper dive<br>Side step in netball"]
    style A fill:#e74c3c,color:#fff
    style C fill:#27ae60,color:#fff
    style E fill:#f39c12,color:#fff

Key Actions in the Frontal Plane

Joint Action	Description	Sporting Example
Abduction	Moving a limb away from the midline of the body	Raising your arm out to the side
Adduction	Moving a limb towards the midline of the body	Bringing your arm back to your side
Lateral flexion	Bending the spine to the side	Leaning sideways to avoid a tackle

Sporting Examples in the Frontal Plane

Sport/Activity	Action	Why Frontal?
Star jumps (jumping jacks)	Arms and legs move out to the sides and back	Limbs move side-to-side (abduction/adduction)
Cartwheel	Body moves sideways over the hands	The whole body moves in a side-to-side direction
Lateral raise (gym)	Lifting dumbbells out to the side	Arms move away from the midline (abduction)
Goalkeeper diving	Diving to the side to save a shot	Body moves laterally
Netball side step	Stepping sideways to dodge a defender	Movement is side-to-side
Swimming (breaststroke legs)	Legs kick out to the side	Abduction of the legs in the frontal plane

Exam Tip: The word frontal can be confusing because it sounds like "front." Remember that the frontal plane divides front from back, so the movements go sideways — not forwards. Think: frontal = flapping (like a bird flapping its wings side to side).

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The Transverse Plane

The transverse plane (also called the horizontal plane) divides the body into top (superior) and bottom (inferior) halves. Movements in this plane involve rotation (twisting).

graph TD
    A[Transverse Plane] --> B["Divides body into<br>TOP and BOTTOM"]
    B --> C["Movements involve<br>ROTATION / TWISTING"]
    C --> D[Rotation, Pronation, Supination]
    D --> E["Examples:<br>Discus throw rotation<br>Golf swing follow-through<br>Spinning on ice<br>Heading a ball with a twist<br>Pirouette in dance"]
    style A fill:#9b59b6,color:#fff
    style C fill:#27ae60,color:#fff
    style E fill:#f39c12,color:#fff

Key Actions in the Transverse Plane

Joint Action	Description	Sporting Example
Rotation	Turning a bone around its long axis	Twisting the trunk during a discus throw
Pronation	Rotating the forearm so the palm faces down	Turning the hand over in table tennis
Supination	Rotating the forearm so the palm faces up	Bowling a leg-spin in cricket
Horizontal flexion	Moving the arm across the body at shoulder height	Follow-through in a tennis forehand
Horizontal extension	Moving the arm away from the body at shoulder height	Drawing the arm back before a discus throw

Sporting Examples in the Transverse Plane

Sport/Activity	Action	Why Transverse?
Discus throw	Trunk rotation during the throw	The body twists/rotates
Golf swing	Trunk rotation during the swing	The torso rotates through the shot
Ice skating spin	Whole body rotates around the vertical axis	Spinning/rotational movement
Tennis forehand	Trunk rotation and arm follow-through	Twisting of the torso to generate power
Heading a ball (with twist)	Turning the head to direct the header	Rotation of the neck
Bowling spin (cricket)	Pronation/supination of the forearm	Rotational movement of the forearm

Exam Tip: If the movement involves twisting or rotation, it is in the transverse plane. Think: transverse = twisting.

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Summary Comparison Table

Feature	Sagittal	Frontal	Transverse
Divides body into	Left and right	Front and back	Top and bottom
Direction of movement	Forward and backward	Side to side	Rotation (twisting)
Key joint actions	Flexion, extension	Abduction, adduction	Rotation
Key sporting example	Running, kicking	Cartwheel, star jumps	Discus throw, golf swing
Memory aid	Sagittal = Straight ahead	Frontal = Flapping sideways	Transverse = Twisting

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Visualising the Three Planes Together

Imagine standing upright in the anatomical position:

1. Sagittal plane: A sheet of glass passes through your body from front to back, dividing you into left and right. You move along this glass like a door swinging on its hinges — forwards and backwards.

2. Frontal plane: A sheet of glass passes through your body from left to right, dividing you into front and back. You move along this glass by leaning or reaching sideways — like doing a star jump.