Time–Motion Analysis by Playing Positions of Male Handball Players during the European Championship 2020

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze time–motion characteristics of elite male handball players during the last European Championship 2020. A total of 414 players from 24 national teams were analyzed during 65 matches using a local positioning system (LPS) for the first time in a European Championship. Players (n = 1865) covered significantly (p < 0.001; ES = 0.48) more total distance in offense (1217.48 ± 699.33 m) and in all locomotion categories (p < 0.001) than in defense (900.96 ± 538.95 m), with a similar average total time on court (13.40 ± 8.19 min in offense and 13.27 ± 8.59 min; p > 0.05). The running pace was significantly higher in offense 96.53 ± 22.57 m/min than in defense 82.72 ± 43.28 m/min (p < 0.001; ES = 0.47). By playing positions, the Left Wing players covered significantly (p < 0.001) higher distances (2547.14 ± 1309.52) and showed longer playing time (32.08 ± 17.01). Center Back was the playing position that showed the highest global running pace (98.34 m/min). Players with higher running pace in offense (p < 0.001) were Left Backs (105.95 ± 25.20) and the Center Backs in defense (95.76 ± 48.90). There were no significant differences between winners and losers or between top ranked and lower ranked teams in terms of time played, distance covered, and running pace. Specific physical conditioning is necessary to maximize performance and minimize fatigue when performing in long tournaments.

Throwing performance by playing positions of male handball players during the European Championship 2020

“…Recent studies have validated LPS against well‐known systems such as GPS, showing proper between‐device reliability (coefficient of variation around 5%) 19,20 . A complete description of the system can be found elsewhere 24,25 . The LPS can determine the real‐time position and motion data of the player and ball through lightweight position chips (tags).…”

“…19,20 A complete description of the system can be found elsewhere. 24,25 The LPS can determine the real-time position and motion data of the player and ball through lightweight position chips (tags). The player tag was positioned between shoulder blades using the manufacturer harness, whereas the ball tag was incorporated in the center of the ball.…”

Contextualizing Physical Data in Professional Handball: Using Local Positioning Systems to Automatically Define Defensive Organizations

“…Wings and center backs were more involved in HSR action both in distance (410 ± 193 m and 243 ± 130 respectively) and in number (39.6 ± 18.2 and 34.9 ± 18.1). When time motion was studied [ 5 ], it was shown that wing players spent significantly more time standing and walking than the other players during matches. Technical demands were also playing position-dependent; pivots received and gave up to largely more contacts (58.9 ± 20.3 light contacts and 11.6 ± 3.2 high-intensity contacts [ 6 ] while pivots perform significantly more duels (36.4 ± 16.2) and backs significantly more jumps (19.1 ± 5.2) [ 7 ].…”

“…These constraints induce that 73% of the ball possession is played in a stabilized attack [ 8 ], as a result, most of the playing time is spent in these phases. Some recent studies have analyzed the difference between the offensive and defensive phase in elite male international players [ 5 , 9 ], however inconsistent results were found for some of the variables (e.g., total distance, walking distance). In both studies, data indicate that players in defense covered a greater distance in high-intensity zones (23% in high-intensity running and 30% in sprinting) than in offense.…”

“…A growing number of elite teams are equipped with a local positioning system ( Tracking , s. d.) and many studies used this technology to study match demands [ 4 , 5 , 9 ]. Automatic detection of the defensive formation could be very useful both to help coaches to design adapted training content and in a research context.…”