ABSTRACT
Introduction: Recently, several studies on the 7 vs. 6 "empty goal" (EG) in handball have produced different and even contradictory results. The aim of the present study was to investigate the behavior of teams and players in the 7 vs. 6 EG attack in the European (Euro) and World Championships (WCh) between 2020 and 2023 and characterize the coaches' perceptions. Methods: A mixed-methods approach was used, consisting of the following: (i) an observational methodology and instrument developed and validated to collect observational data on player and team behavior; and (ii) a developed and validated questionnaire to coaches on their perceptions of the 7 vs. 6 game. Observational data were collected during the Euro 2020 and 2022 games (n = 62) and the WCh 2021 and 2023 games (n = 70). A total of 132 games and 391 situations of 7 vs. 6 attacking sequences were observed. In total, 156 coaches participated (146 men), with a mean age 42.33 ± 11.87 years, 19 nationalities, and with 12.77 ± 9.45 years of experience. Results and discussion: The choice of 7 vs. 6 offensive play was mostly made in the second half (>73%). The effectiveness of 7 vs. 6 offensive sequences was higher in the top six teams than in the team's ranked 7th to 12th (Euro 2020 51.6%-50.0%; WCh 2021 52.0%-50.0%; Euro 2022 53.1%-41.7%; WCh 2023 50.0%-43.8%). Some patterns of association were found (p < 0.05 and with values >±1.96): (i) scoring a goal with a breakthrough shot was significantly associated with the effectiveness of the 7 vs. 6 attack (Euro 2020 2.61; WCh 2021 2.87; Euro 2022 2.68; WCh 2023 2.32); (ii) teams in the top six significantly used 7 vs. 6 when they were winning (Euro 2020 2.17; WCh 2021 3.52; Euro 2022 5.88; WCh 2023 2.54); and (iii) teams in the bottom six used it when they were losing by at least four goals (Euro 2020 7.56; Euro 2022 6.64; WCh 2023 4.37) or when they were winning by four goals or more (WCh 2021 2.58). Coaches that agree with the possibility of playing 7 vs. 6 (74.4%), rarely or never do so (55.6%) because it brings little or no advantage (52.6%). The results of the analysis confirmed the perception of the coaches, the low use of 7 vs. 6, the low advantage associated with it, and the influence of the result and the moment of the game on its use.
ABSTRACT
The dynamic of changes in the rules in team games materialize from research and debate between experts and coaches before being implemented by the International Federations. In Handball, the last changes occurred in 2016, and one of them was to substitute the goalkeeper with an additional field player allowing teams to play "empty goal" while using the additional field player. This study aimed to analyze and characterize the use of the 7 vs. 6 strategical-tactical option for the attack in the 2020 Men's European Championship. We also analyzed whether the game time and partial score influenced the use of 7 vs. 6 and its efficiency. Observational methodology and a mixed ad hoc instrument combining field format and category systems validated by experts were used. Data were taken from 28 matches involving teams in the first 12 positions in the 2020 Men's European Championship. The total number of offensive sequences in an organized attack method in 7 vs. 6 with an empty goal (n = 123) were analyzed. Sequential analysis techniques with lags, prospective and retrospective, and polar coordinate analysis were used. The results showed that (a) these solutions had poor efficiency, except for the Portuguese National Team; (b) teams using the 7 vs. 6 tactic option had no negative consequences or increased risk with the opponent response; (c) partial score influenced the decision to use 7 vs. 6 strategic option, and (d) game time was associated with 7 vs. 6 play options and detected patterns.
ABSTRACT
This study assessed the differences in body composition after 6 months of training in pubertal boys and girl swimmers and in pubertal boys and girls without sport practice. The swimming group was composed of 20 pubertal swimmers: 10 boys (SB) (age: 13.5±1.5 years; Tanner stage: 3.6±0.5) and 10 girls (SG) (age: 11.3±0.7 years; Tanner stage: 3.4±0.5), with an average training experience of 4±1.3 and 3±0.5 years, respectively. The control group was composed of 20 pubertal participants without sport practice: 10 boys (CB) (age: 13.6±1.2 years; Tanner stage: 3.5±0.5) and 10 girls (CG) (age: 11.2±0.8 years; Tanner stage: 3.5±0.5). The following anthropometric measurements were carried out in two assessment periods (pre- and post-test): height, weight and skinfold thickness (biceps, triceps, subscapular and suprailiac). The sum of 4 skinfolds allowed calculating the percentage of fat mass according to sex and maturational status equations. The Pared-Samples T test was used to analyze the differences between the two assessment periods (pre- and post-test). Between the pre- and post-test, the percentage of fat mass was significantly lower in SB (p= 0.014) and SG (p= 0.016), and significantly higher in CG (p= 0.007). In conclusion, a decrease in the percentage of fat mass was observed in pubertal boys and girls swimmers after 6 months of training compared with the control group, and those results seem to be associated with the swimming training, specifically the high training volume.
Este estudio evaluó las diferencias en la composición corporal después de 6 meses de entrenamiento en niños y niñas púberes nadadores y en los niños y niñas púberes sin la práctica del deporte. El grupo de natación fue compuesta por 20 nadadores púberes: 10 niños (SB) (edad: 13,5±1,5 años; Tanner etapa: 3,6±0,5) y 10 niñas (SG) (edad: 11,3±0,7 años; estadio de Tanner: 3,4 ± 0,5), con una media de experiencia de entrenamiento de 4±1,3 y 3±0,5 años, respectivamente. El grupo de control estaba compuesto por 20 participantes púberes sin la práctica del deporte: 10 niños (CB) (edad: 13,6±1,2 años; Tanner etapa: 3,5±0,5) y 10 niñas (CG) (edad: 11,2±0,8 años; etapa Tanner: 3,5±0,5). Las siguientes mediciones antropométricas se realizaron en dos períodos de evaluación (pre y post-prueba): altura, peso y pliegues cutáneos (bíceps, tríceps, subescapular y suprailíaco). La suma de 4 pliegues cutáneos permitió calcular el porcentaje de masa grasa según las ecuaciones apropiado al estado de maduración e sexo. Se utilizó la técnica estadística T para muestras pareadas para analizar las diferencias entre los dos períodos de evaluación (pre y post- prueba). Entre la pre y post- prueba, el porcentaje de masa grasa fue significativamente menor en el SB (p= 0,014) y SG (p= M0,016), y significativamente mayor en CG (p= 0,007). En conclusión, se observó una disminución en el porcentaje de masa grasa en los niños y niñas púberes nadadores después de 6 meses de entrenamiento en comparación con el grupo control, y esos resultados parecen estar asociados con el entrenamiento de natación, en especial el alto volumen de entrenamiento.
