Follow-through
The continuation of a striking, throwing, or kicking motion after contact, which shapes power, accuracy, and spin.
Definition
The follow-through is the part of a swing, kick, or throw that occurs after the ball has left the hitting surface. Although contact is over, letting the motion continue smoothly is what allows full acceleration through the ball and a repeatable path — cutting the motion short, or decelerating into contact, usually costs power and consistency. The direction and finish of the follow-through also help shape the ball's flight and spin.
It is the final phase of the kinetic chain that runs from the ground up through the legs, hips, torso, and arm. Coaches read the finish position as a diagnostic — a high, balanced finish in a golf swing or tennis stroke, or a kicking leg swinging across the body to impart curve. A good follow-through is a consequence of good technique before contact, not something added on afterwards.
Where you’ll hear “follow-through”
Sports that use this term:
Tennis
A singles or doubles racquet sport that blends agility, strategy and stamina on court.
Golf
A precision target sport played across an outdoor course, blending skill, strategy and a long walk in the open air.
Football
The world’s most popular team sport — endless running, teamwork and community in one game.
Basketball
A fast, dynamic team sport of running, jumping and quick decisions on court.
Cricket
A bat-and-ball team sport where sides take turns to bat and to bowl and field, scoring runs.
Explore across the knowledge base
Follow the threads that connect Follow-through to the rest of SocialSportHub.
Skills
- ChippingThe short lofted shot played from near the green to get the ball rolling toward the hole.
- Aiming and alignmentThe skill of setting the body and the implement so the shot starts on the line you intend.
- ShootingThe skill of striking or releasing the ball toward the goal or basket to score.
- ThrowingThe skill of propelling the ball accurately and with control using the arm.
- SpikingThe volleyball skill of jumping and striking the ball forcefully down into the opponent’s court.
Techniques
- Golf Full SwingThe complete rotational swing used for tee shots and longer approach shots, from setup through backswing to a balanced finish.
- Chip ShotA compact lofted shot from close to the green that carries a short distance and then rolls to the hole.
- Bunker ShotThe greenside sand shot where the club enters the sand behind the ball and lifts it out on a cushion of sand.
- Topspin ForehandA forehand groundstroke hit with a low-to-high swing that puts forward spin on the ball so it dips and kicks up on landing.
- Table tennis serve techniqueHow to serve legally and still create an advantage — generating spin within the rules, keeping the ball short, and why disguise must come from contact rather than concealment.
Disciplines
- Breaking (Gyeokpa)Gyeokpa is taekwondo's breaking discipline, in which practitioners strike through boards or other objects to demonstrate accuracy, focus, and effective technique.
- Poomsae (Forms)Poomsae is taekwondo's forms discipline: a set sequence of blocks, kicks, and strikes performed in a fixed pattern and judged on accuracy, power, and presentation.
- ClassicClassic is the original cross-country technique, with skis kept parallel in set tracks and a striding kick-and-glide motion.
Movement patterns
- KickA ballistic single-support leg swing that whips force from the plant foot through the hip and knee to strike or propel a ball or target with the foot, distinct from the weight-bearing steps of locomotion.
- StrikeA ballistic, whole-body hitting action that channels ground-generated force through a proximal-to-distal kinetic chain to deliver momentum to a target via the hand, an implement or a body part at the moment of contact.
Skills Academy
Movement comparisons
- Strike vs ThrowStrike vs Throw: how these two movements differ, what they share, and how to tell them apart — from mechanics to the sports that use them.
- Kick vs StrikeKick vs Strike: how these two movements differ, what they share, and how to tell them apart — from mechanics to the sports that use them.
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How this page is maintained
- Content type
- Term
- Provenance
- Tier A — evergreen educational
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- Content updated
- 2026-09-01
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