Effect of Ball Screen and One-on-One on the Level of Opposition and Effectiveness of Shots in the ACB

Abstract

In light of the importance of shots on the final result in basketball matches, this research aims to reveal the predictive ability of variables associated with different game actions (ball screen, one-on-one near the basket and one-on-one far away from the basket), shot zone (near to or far from the basket) and players’ position (outside or inside) of the success of shots and of the type of shot, defended or not defended, in three seasons (2014 to 2016) of the Copa del Rey in the ACB (Asociación de Clubes de Baloncesto) League in Spain. Observational methodology was used, and an ad hoc instrument was created using Lince software. The study was conducted on a total of 7695 game actions, of which an analysis of 877 shots was made using CHAID (Chi-squared Automatic Interaction Detection) classification trees. The results obtained in this research have led us to the following conclusions: (a) the most important variable in the success of shots is to find “open shots”, regardless of the game action, (b) one-on-one actions outside and inside the zone have a clear connection to the finishes of the plays and end up in defended shots, (c) shots by ball screen lead to more open shots than in one-on-one and (d) play with passes may facilitate to find “open shots”. These results can be of interest for coaches to prepare their teams in the best possible way, but they must be interpreted with caution as the sample was very specific (Copa del Rey in the ACB League) and, therefore, it is necessary to continue investigating this topic in other competition contexts.

Decisional analysis of finishing in basketball

“…The first variable that predicted success finishing was that the shot taken was adjusted to the LE proposed by the coach. This data confirms the importance of following the coach's indications and that the players make shots that are framed in the idea of collective play (Serna et al, 2021). It could be affirmed the idea that following the LE and making shots that have a collective game thinking approach towards success (Serna et al, 2017).…”

“…This is why coaches design a Strategic Logic (LE) specific to their team. This LE aims to create a guide for the players in order to achieve collective success (Muñoz et al, 2015;Serna et al, 2021). The development of this LE, will consider the individual characteristics of the players and should organize the TDM of these, so that the team works in a coordinated and harmonious way (Lasierra et al, 2020;.…”

Ball Screens in the Men’s 2019 Basketball World Cup

“…Observational study [25] was used to analyse ball screen actions in critical moments of basketball. This type of methodology is the most appropriate for the study of sports, as it can be analysed in its usual context and dynamics [26], and as it has been tested in basketball through various publications [2,5,7,27,28].…”

“…These situations that cause a mismatch in the defence and, consequently, the creation of unopposed space, are known as space creation dynamics [6]. Along the same line, other authors [7] consider that offensive strategies aim to achieve optimal shooting situations, understanding them as those executed by the best shooters in a context where the highest percentages of success are ensured. Collective actions will increase uncertainty, giving it a certain degree of complexity and preventing the opponent from reacting effectively, as opposed to if the actions were carried out individually [8].…”

“…Similarly, other researchers [11] define ball screen as the basic technical-tactical element of cooperation between two players possessing the ball, where the screener performs a screen or "pick" with the aim of the screened player getting a positive situation and advantage over his defender and, after this, the screener advances (roll) towards the basket to receive a pass [12,13]. The advantages of using this technical-tactical element lie in helping the dribbler to advance towards the basket, getting free throws or causing changes of assignment in the opposing defence [7]. For this, the players involved must take into account the place on the court where it is performed (near or far from the basket, centrally or laterally), the position of the other players not involved in the action or the remaining time of possession [9].…”