Defining tactical competency during turnovers in Netball: Using the Delphi method to capture expert coach knowledge

Abstract

Traditional methods for understanding change of possession (turnovers) in team-based invasion sports have not accounted for how the dynamic, interactive actions of multiple players contribute to turnovers. One approach is to access the expertise of highly skilled coaches to determine the important tactical behaviours that create turnovers. In this study, we synthesised expert opinion from 12 experienced netball coaches with a consensus-based method (the Delphi method). The expert group undertook one-on-one interviews which were coded using thematic analysis to identify and code any tactical constructs. From this analysis, a preliminary list of tactical behaviour definitions were created and used for the subsequent rounds of data collection and analysis. Two rounds of questionnaire followed the initial interviews to validate the list of tactical behaviour definitions. As a result, the tactical principles guideline (TPG) was developed which included (nine attacking tactical behaviours and nine defensive tactical behaviours). The tactical behaviours can be grouped thematically into four overarching tactical principles, including; space and movement, timing, support and reading play. Each of the four tactical principles is derived from interactions between multiple players highlighting that, in high level netball, turnovers typically result from the team dynamics rather than from individual player behaviours (i.e., a poorly executed pass). Therefore, when using game statistics to assess performance it is important to acknowledge that errors and successes are the result of the interactions of multiple players on court, and not solely a reflection of individual players' tactical ability. The TPG has been incorporated into a Netball NZ player profiling tool as it is seen to be the first step in enhancing the effectiveness of coach and player communication, tactical behaviour assessment, as well as informing selection processes.

Exploration of collective tactical variables in elite netball: An analysis of team and sub-group positioning behaviours

“…The largest effects of possession type were on centroid longitudinal, a result of moving closer to the attacking goal on attack and defending goal on defence. The mostly moderate differences between attacking and defending possessions for the width of the team and of midcourt and defender sub-groups represent increased lateral dispersion during attacking possessions, which aligns with previous findings in soccer and common coaching principles surrounding the strategies of attack and defence in team sports [ 24 , 26 , 27 , 48 , 80 ]. The attacking team players may focus on destabilising the defending opposition through increased lateral dispersion [ 24 , 26 ].…”

“…However, one area of research which is yet to be studied is collective team behaviours, with a recent systematic review highlighting no such research articles having been published on netball, [ 52 ] with a number of additional studies suggesting future research is required in team and player positioning [ 49 , 53 , 54 ]. This is pertinent to netball, as the positional court restrictions and inability of the player in possession of the ball to move, requires a collective team performance, with previous literature stating key aspects of netball performance being off-ball space creation, maintaining unit structure, timing and support [ 48 , 53 ].…”

“…One sport which has yet to explore collective tactical variables is netball. Netball research has previously investigated match and training physical profiles [38][39][40][41][42], technical aspects utilising notational methods [43,44] and more recently non-linear analysis and machine learning techniques to account for the dynamic nature of the sport [45][46][47][48][49][50][51]. However, one area of research which is yet to be studied is collective team behaviours, with a recent systematic review highlighting no such research articles having been published on netball, [52] with a number of additional studies suggesting future research is required in team and player positioning [49,53,54].…”