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The aim of this study was to identify the relationships between the variation of match variables and teams’ match performance. Data from all 768 matches played at the group stage of the UEFA Champions League from season 2009/1010 to 2016/2017 were analysed. The non-clinical magnitude-based inferences were used to identify the differences of technical variation between the teams. Autocorrelation function, correlation analysis and generalised linear model were used to examine the relationships between the variation of match variables and teams’ match performance. Results showed that the qualified teams demonstrated a more stable match performance on the variables related to goal scoring, attacking and passing, while the non-qualified teams displayed a more stable match performance on the variables related to defending. The coefficients of variation (CV) of all the variables related to goal scoring and the variables related to attacking and passing showed negative relationships with the teams’ match performance, while the CVs of the variables related to defending showed positive relationships with the teams’ match performance. Findings of this study can provide useful information about the fluctuation of match variables, contributing to the development of specific training interventions to enhance teams’ performance in key indicators.

This study aimed to identify performance profiles in NBA playoffs and describe performances in the first and the last games of the series. Thirty games from the official box-scores and player-tracking data of the 2014/15 NBA playoffs were considered. A k-means cluster analysis was performed to group the players according to their game performance profiles and a discriminant analysis was conducted to identify the game-related statistics that best discriminated the groups. The first function correctly classified 64.2% of the cases and the second function classified 29.9% of the cases. The cluster analysis identified four different performance profiles and from the discriminant analysis emerged several offensive and defensive variables to classify the players in the clusters. The identified trends help to improve understanding of the game during different stages of playoffs. Coaches may use this information to better prepare their teams for different game scenarios. Key words: game statistics, players profile, discriminant analysis

This study identified the short- and long-term effects of using a shooting strap on the accuracy of freethrows performed by U15 female basketball players during training and competition. Thirty six female basketball player volunteers (aged 14.3±0.5 years) from the Lithuanian Schoolchildren Basketball League were randomly assigned to either an experimental or control group. The experimental group used a shooting strap that immobilized movements of the supporting hand while shooting. The control group performed freethrows without any training aid. Learning and transfer of performance was assessed before and after the intervention training sessions (4-week intervention program applied 4 times per week), and on a retention test after one year. Results showed that: (a) free-throw accuracy was higher after one month and after one year of intervention than before the intervention training program in both practice and competition; (b) the experimental group scored better in practice and competition than the control group after one month and one year of the intervention; and (c) free-throw accuracy was higher during training sessions than during competition. The identified short-term and long-term improvements in free-throw shooting accuracy support the usage of shooting straps. The use of shooting straps and external assisting devices might allow adjusting programs of training to provide fluent free-throw accuracy progresses from youth to senior categories. Key words: technique, shooting training, team sports

The aim of the present study was to identify the effects of a starting score-line on the game quarter final score (final quarter outcome except for the first period) when considering the quality of the opposition and game location. The sample comprised 1,456 game quarters from the Spanish women’s professional league (seasons 2009/2010 and 2010/2011). A k-means cluster analysis classified the game quarters as balanced (difference in score equal or below by six points, n=1,000) and unbalanced game quarters (difference in score above six points, n=456). The effects of the situational variables in the game quarter outcome (difference between points scored and points conceded) in an entire game and in the second, third, and fourth game quarters were analyzed using linear regression analysis. The results showed the importance of a starting quarter score only during the second game quarters when one analyzed the entire game and unbalanced quarters. Also, the results showed that the situational variables of game location and quality of the opposition affected during the entire game quarters and unbalanced game quarters. These results established that the game dynamics in women’s basketball are strongly influenced by situational variables. The results of the present study help the coaches to develop appropriate game strategies considering the situational variables and the game dynamics., Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je identificirati utjecaj aktualnog rezultata utakmice s početka pojedine četvrtine na završni rezultat četvrtine (svih četvrtina osim prve četvrtine) kada se u obzir uzmu kvaliteta protivnika i mjesto igranja utakmice. Uzorak se sastojao od 1.456 četvrtina košarkaških utakmica španjolske profesionalne ženske lige (sezone 2009./10. i 2010./11.). Pomoću klaster analize četvrtine su bile klasificirane kao uravnotežene (razlika u rezultatu bila je 6 ili manje poena, n=1.000) i neuravnotežene četvrtine (razlika u rezultatu bila je veća od 6 poena, n=456). Utjecaj situacijskih varijabli na završni rezultat četvrtina (razlika u postignutim i primljenim poenima) za cijelu utakmicu te druge, treće i četvrte četvrtine posebno bile su analizirane linearnom regresijskom analizom. Rezultati su pokazali važnost početnog rezultata četvrtine samo tijekom druge četvrtine kada su analizirane cijele utakmice i neuravnotežene četvrtine. Također, rezultati su pokazali da su situacijske varijable mjesto odigravanja utakmice i kvaliteta suparnika utjecale na rezultat tijekom svih četvrtina utakmice te neuravnoteženih četvrtina utakmice. Ovim rezultatima utvrđeno je da je dinamika igre u ženskoj košarci snažno pod utjecajem situacijskih varijabli. Rezultati ovog istraživanja pomoći će trenerima da razviju prikladne strategije igre uzimajući u obzir situacijske varijable i dinamiku igre.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the path to the expertise of Portuguese and USA basketball players according to their specific playing position (i.e. guards, forwards and centers). The information needed to achieve this purpose was collected through a validated questionnaire applied to 75 Portuguese and 45 USA players in the Portuguese League. This questionnaire provided detailed information about the quantity and type of sporting activities performed throughout their careers. The results suggest some variability in the path followed by the players according to a playing position, except for the conformity displayed regarding early sport diversification (especially between six and ten years of age). The main findings emerging from this comparison suggest that while the Portuguese basketball players specialize in basketball earlier, the USA players seem to be guided to maintain a more comprehensive and diversified approach until 18 years of age., Cilj je ovoga rada bio analizirati kako su se usavršavali portugalskih i američki košarkaši do svojih specifičnih igračkih pozicija (tj. bekovi, krila i centri). Podaci za provedbu ove analize prikupljeni su pomoću provjerenog upitnika koji je ispunilo 75 portugalskih i 45 američkih košarkaša koji igraju u portugalskoj košarkaškoj ligi. Upitnik je omogućio prikupljanje detaljnih podataka o kvantiteti i vrsti sportskih aktivnosti koje su igrači provodili prije i na početku svojih igračkih karijera. Rezultati su pokazali varijabilnost razvojnih putova igrača s različitih igračkih pozicija, ali i visoko slaganje što se tiče raznolikosti aktivnosti kojima su ispitanici sudjelovali u ranoj životnoj dobi (osobito u dobi od 6 do 10 godina). Glavne spoznaje koje su dobivene ovom usporedbom košarkaša sugeriraju da se portugalski košarkaši ranije specijaliziraju za izabrani sport, dok američke košarkaše njihovi učitelji/treneri usmjeravaju na što svestranije i raznolikije sportsko usavršavanje do 18. godine.