Analysis of Movement and Actions of Wingers as Second-Line Players in Organized Attack in Handball.

In modern handball, one of the important performance indicators is the effectiveness of the attack, especially the running-in of wingers as line players which has not been explored adequately. The purpose of the study was to analyze the movements of wingers in the organized attack when they run in. Fifty-eight matches were analyzed from the 2022 EHF European Men's Handball Championship. A total of 491 attacks were recorded and 45 variables were analyzed in which wingers ran in as second pivots and the outcome was a throw. For the statistical analysis, descriptive and inductive statistics were used. The results showed that the average time of the running-in was 12.11 ± 9.28 s, the left wing ran in more often (60.1%) and wingers tended to move outside the defense formation (72.5%). Wingers ran in without the ball in possession (81.1%), moved toward defenders 2 and 5 and stood next to defenders, and occasionally blocked, slid or left their position. The defense's central zone was preferred by players to make a throw. Correspondence analysis showed that wingers finally returned to their initial position regardless of the evolution of the attack. Their role was to block a specific defender or disorganize the defense, for one defender to be isolated so that one attacking player could execute a shot from the central area. Conclusively, wingers play an important role, especially in run-in actions, at the completion of an attack, and in the final throw.

Evaluation of a beach volleyball skill instrument for the line shot attack / Avaliação de um instrumento de habilidade de voleibol de praia para o ataque de tiro à linha

ABSTRACT This study aimed to develop a test for measuring athletes' performance. Logical, content, construct, criterion validity, as well as reliability, were examined. Three beach volleyball experts evaluated how well the test evaluates the shot skill accuracy according to their judgment (logical validity). A group of eight beach volleyball experts analyzed the test and rated it on a scale of 1 to 7 regarding the relevance of the content as a measure of beach volleyball athlete's accuracy, the average score was calculated at 6.75 (SD=0.46) (content validity). 60 beach volleyball players divided into three equal groups of novices, intermediates, and experts were asked to undergo the test on two separate days. A one-way ANOVA between the three groups was performed, which indicated that the mean scores of the three groups differed significantly (p<0.001 for both days): experts achieved better scores than intermediates who in turn scored better than novices (construct validity). The athletes' scores were correlated with their proficiency level, using the Pearson Correlation test, which indicated very high positive (Day-1: r=0.956, n=60, p<0.001; Day-2: r=0.953, n=60, p<0.001) (criterion validity). The intraclass correlation coefficient was calculated between Day-1 and Day-2 and was found equal to 0.980 for average measures (p<0.001) and 0.961 for single measures (p<0.001). In conclusion, the requirements for logical, content, construct, criterion validity, and reliability have been met. Therefore, the line shot attack test can be used as a valid and reliable measurement instrument for evaluating the performance of beach volleyball athletes.

RESUMO Este estudo teve como objetivo desenvolver um teste para mensurar o desempenho de atletas. No teste foram examinados os seguintes itens: lógica, conteúdo, construto, validade de critério, bem como confiabilidade. Três especialistas em voleibol de praia avaliaram o quão bem o teste avalia a precisão da habilidade de arremesso de acordo com seu julgamento (validade lógica). Um grupo de oito especialistas em vôlei de praia analisou o teste e o classificou em uma escala de 1 a 7 quanto à relevância do conteúdo como medida de precisão do atleta de vôlei de praia, a pontuação média foi calculada em 6,75 (DP=0,46) (validade de conteúdo). A amostra foi constituída por 60 jogadores de vôlei de praia divididos em três grupos: novatos, intermediários e experientes foram convidados a realizar o teste em dois dias separados. Uma ANOVA de uma via entre os três grupos foi realizada, o que indicou que as pontuações médias dos três grupos diferiram significativamente (p<0,001 para ambos os dias): os especialistas obtiveram melhores pontuações do que os intermediários que, por sua vez, pontuaram melhor do que os novatos (validade de construção). As pontuações dos atletas foram correlacionadas com seu nível de proficiência, usando o teste de correlação de Pearson, indicando correlação muito alta e positiva (Dia-1: r=0,956, n=60, p<0,001; Dia-2: r=0,953, n=60, p<0,001) (validade de critério). O coeficiente de correlação intraclasse foi calculado entre o Dia-1 e o Dia-2 e foi igual a 0,980 para medidas médias (p<0,001) e 0,961 para medidas isoladas (p<0,001). Em conclusão, os requisitos de lógica, conteúdo, construto, validade de critério e confiabilidade foram atendidos. Portanto, o teste de ataque de tiro de linha pode ser usado como um instrumento de medida válido e confiável para avaliar o desempenho de atletas de vôlei de praia.

Maturation Stage Does Not Affect Change of Direction Asymmetries in Young Soccer Players.

ABSTRACT: Asimakidis, ND, Dalamitros, AA, Ribeiro, J, Lola, AC, and Manou, V. Μaturation stage does not affect change of direction asymmetries in young soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 36(12): 3440-3445, 2022-This study examined whether the stage of biological maturation can affect interlimb asymmetries during a change of direction (COD) test. Seventy-six young soccer players were divided into 2 different groups according to their peak height velocity stage (PHV): pre-PHV (n = 45, age = 11.8 ± 1.2 years, height = 149.8 ± 9.3 cm, body mass = 43.9 ± 11.2 kg) and post-PHV (n = 31, age = 14.4 ± 0.9 years, height = 170.0 ± 4.9 cm, body mass = 61.5 ± 8.9 kg). Subjects performed a 505 test to measure the completion time in both directions and a 20-m maximum sprint test. Change of direction deficit (CODD) was used as a measure for isolating COD ability. An independent sample t-test detected no significant differences between the asymmetry index values for the 505 test completion time when the pre-PHV group and the post-PHV group were compared (-3.49 ± 2.49% vs. -3.45 ± 2.47%, effect size [ES] = 0.02, p = 0.923). Similarly, the CODD asymmetry index indicated no differences between the 2 groups (-8.21 ± 5.95% vs. -7.37 ± 5.12%, ES = 0.15, p = 0.457). A paired sample t-test revealed that the values of the CODD asymmetry index were larger than those of the 505 asymmetry index (-7.88 ± 5.61% vs. -3.49 ± 2.46%, ES = 1.09, p < 0.001). According to these results, maturational status has no influence on the interlimb asymmetries of COD ability. Furthermore, subjects showed greater asymmetry values in CODD compared with the 505 test completion time, reinforcing that the evaluation of COD asymmetries should be based on CODD. As interlimb asymmetries are not altered during the maturation process, practitioners should address abnormal COD asymmetries early on during athletes' development processes.