Abstract

A wide body of research on team sports has focused on positional status based differences, providing information on inter-player variability according to the functional roles within the game. However, research addressing inter-player variability within the same positional/function status is scarce. The present article presents an analysis of inter-player variability within the same positional status during critical moments, in high-level women's volleyball, using Social Network Analysis. Attack actions of the outside hitters near (OHN) and away (OHA) from the setter were analysed in ten matches from the 2019 Volleyball Nations League Finals (268 plays). Two independent Eigenvector Centrality networks were created, one for OHN and another for OHA. Main results: (a) in side-out with ideal setting conditions, the OHA used more tips and exploration of the block than the OHN; under non-ideal setting conditions, the OHN had slower attack tempos than the OHA; (b) OHA used tip and directed attacks after error situations while OHN was typically not requested after error situations; (c) in transition, OHN typically attacked after having performed a previous action, performing a dual task within each ball possession, while OHA only attacked when there was no prior action; (d) there were also inter-positional similarities, with both OHN and OHA preferring a strong attack in ideal conditions during KI and KIV, and slower tempos in transition in non-ideal conditions. Conclusions: Even within the same positional status, there seems to be subtle, but relevant inter-player variability. Consequently, coaches should devote careful attention when assigning players to positional.

Resumen

Un amplio conjunto de investigaciones sobre deportes de equipo se ha centrado en las diferencias basadas en el estado posicional, proporcionando información sobre la variabilidad entre jugadores de acuerdo con los roles funcionales dentro del juego.  Sin embargo, la investigación que aborda la variabilidad entre jugadores dentro del mismo estado posicional/de función es escasa. El presente artículo presenta un análisis de la variabilidad entre jugadores dentro del mismo estado posicional durante momentos críticos, en el voleibol femenino de alto nivel, utilizando Análisis de Redes Sociales. Las acciones de ataque de los bateadores externos cerca (OHN) y fuera (OHA) del colocador fueron analizadas en diez partidos de las Finales de la Liga de Naciones de Voleibol de 2019 (268 jugadas). Se crearon dos redes independientes de centralidad de autovector, una para OHN y otra para OHA. Resultados principales: (a) en KI de ajuste ideales, la OHA utilizó más consejos y exploración del bloque que el OHN; en condiciones de ajuste no ideales, el OHN tenía tempos de ataque más lentos que el OHA; (b) OHA utilizó ataques de propina y dirigidos después de situaciones de error, mientras que OHN normalmente no se solicitó después de situaciones de error; (c)  en transición, OHN típicamente atacado después de haber realizado una acción anterior, realizando una doble tarea dentro de cada posesión de la balón, mientras que OHA sólo atacó cuando no había acción previa; (d) también hubo similitudes inter-posicionales, con OHN y OHA prefiriendo un ataque fuerte en condiciones ideales durante KI y KIV, y tempos más lentos en transición en condiciones no ideales. Conclusiones:  Incluso dentro del mismo estado posicional, parece haber una variabilidad entre jugadores sutil, pero relevante. Por lo tanto, los entrenadores deben dedicar una atención cuidadosa al asignar jugadores a los estados posicionales.

https://doi.org/10.5232/ricyde2021.06503

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