Technical-tactical performance profile of the block and dig according to competition category in men's volleyball

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyse the technical-tactical performance profile of blocking and court defence actions for various age groups and categories of competition in men's volleyball. The sample comprised 16,454 blocks and 8,321 digs performed in 299 sets in several categories of competition (from U-14 to Olympic Games). A descriptive and correlational inter-and intra-group observational design was used. The variables studied were: category of competition, opponent's spike tempo, and block and dig performance. The results showed a significant increase in the percentage of blocks and digs derived from fast attacks and a significant improvement in performance of these actions to counteract slow attacks. Thus, improving in blocking and digging performance was observed at higher categories when the attack is performed slowly. This paper discusses various reasons for the evolution in defensive performance and the effects on the training process for various categories of competition in volleyball.

Discriminate Scoring Skills and Non-Scoring Skills According to Results in the Brazilian Men’s Volleyball SuperLeague

“…It is not enough to just carry out more reception actions, but to execute them with excellence; not to obtain error in the reception is a factor that distinguishes the performance of the teams (Silva, Lacerda & João, 2014, García-Alcaraz, Palao & Ortega, 2014.…”

The Influence of the First Pass on the Volleyball Blockers’ Decision-Making

“…In other words, low-performance passes constraint the setter's action, which increase the probability of plays with slow attack times 11,20 . This increase in time limits the options for attacking and determines the setting zone, facilitating players' anticipation and decisionmaking, when blocking and defending.…”

“…Moreover, according to Macquet 10 the information perceived in the course of action by volleyball players can be connected to a recognition process of the contextual situation, which configures a possible pre-arrangement of the decisions. In this sense, regarding volleyball defensive actions, performance may vary according to the age group and/or competition level, as a consequence of changes such as players' maturity and progress in the training process 11 .…”

“…Besides court defence, the block is a defensive action whose aim is to intercept, stop, or restrain the opponent's offensive actions. The block is a team's first line of defence, considered an important aspect of defensive success of winning teams 4,11,12 . This refers to a volleyball motor skill performed by one or more front-row players, who contact the ball higher than the net.…”

Influence of Contextual Variables on Performance of the Libero Player in Top-Level Women’s Volleyball

“…An observational design was implemented (Anguera, 2003) and the variables analyzed were as follows: (a) game phase: KI (a side-out or an attack phase), KII (a serving phase: a dig from an attack), KIII (a counter-attack phase: a dig from a counter-attack), KIV (a dig from an offensive block), and KV (a free-ball phase) (Hileno and Buscà, 2012); (b) action performed: a reception, a set, a dig from a spike (an attack or a counter-attack), a dig from an offensive block, a free-ball or an attack hit; (c) match period: set game from the first to the fifth set according to game rules (FIVB, 2016); (d) set period: an initial phase (from 0 to 9 points in the first to the fourth set, and from 0 to 4 points in the fifth set), a medium phase (from 10 to 19 points in the first to the fourth set, and from 5 to 9 points in the fifth set), and a final phase (from 20 points to the end of a set in the first to the fourth set, and from 10 points to the end of the fifth set); (e) match status: disadvantage, equality or advantage in score; (f) type of a match: a quarter final, a semifinal and a final; and (g) performance: game influence of ball contact coming from the libero player (Table 1) (adapted from García- de-Alcaraz et al, 2014de-Alcaraz et al, , 2016Mesquita et al, 2007).…”