The aim of this study was to review and organise current literature about the basketball pass and find the main factors that influence its learning skills and performance. Thirty-seven studies were included after the screening process. The documents were classified into main research topics. This review identified the following conclusions: (i) the assessment of passing performance should be made under uncertain and variable conditions to obtain information on players’ responses to competitive scenarios, (ii) it is advisable to incorporate new and random activities to facilitate the transference of learning to the competition, (iii) it is recommended to include overwhelming factors during the practice to minimise the effect of pressure and choking, (iv) optimal physical conditioning is essential to maintain passing performance during a basketball game, (v) small sided games and changing environments stand as the best training situations to improve passing skills. Furthermore, limited information is available about biomechanical aspects and physical conditioning training programs to improve passing skills in basketball. Likewise, there is sparse data on passing skills development in children.

Despite being a key sport-specific characteristic in performance, there is no practical tool to assess the quality of the pass in basketball. The aim of this study is to develop a tool (the quality-pass index or Q-Pass) able to deliver a quantitative, practical measure of passing skills quality based on a combination of accuracy, execution time and pass pattern variability. Temporal, kinematics and performance parameters were analysed in five different types of passes (chest, bounce, crossover, between-the-leg and behind-the-back) using a field-based test, video cameras and body-worn inertial sensors (IMUs). Data from pass accuracy, time and angular velocity were collected and processed in a custom-built excel spreadsheet. The Q-pass index (0–100 score) resulted from the sum of the three factors. Data were collected from 16 young basketball players (age: 16 ± 2 years) with high (experienced) and low (novice) level of expertise. Reliability analyses found the Q-pass index as a reliable tool in both novice (CV from 4.3 to 9.3%) and experienced players (CV from 2.8 to 10.2%). Besides, important differences in the Q-pass index were found between players’ level (p < 0.05), with the experienced showing better scores in all passing situations: behind-the-back (ES = 1.91), bounce (ES = 0.82), between-the-legs (ES = 1.11), crossover (ES = 0.58) and chest (ES = 0.94). According to these findings, the Q-pass index was sensitive enough to identify the differences in passing skills between young players with different levels of expertise, providing a numbering score for each pass executed.

Study purpose. Regarding Talent identification (TID) programs, which are an integral part of the selection process for elite-level athletes, the authors detected a lack of evidence, as surprisingly little research has been conducted to elucidate the effects of Change of Direction (COD) test performance on TID in basketball. This study aimed to: i) analyze the anthropometrical measures, performance variables of COD and talents values of each basketball player, ii) conduct through a COD test, a talent identification procedure in basketball, and iii) run a correlation analysis to try to explain the relationship between COD test and basketball talent through either offensive and defensive skills. Materials and methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted on nineteen youth basketball players (age = 15.68 ± 1.20 years; height = 188.84 ± 5.81 cm, and weight = of 75.74 ± 8.37 kg) with at least 3 years of experience. To assess the overall performance of the selected players, a questionnaire regarding either offense or defense variable was used. In addition, players were required to perform V-Cut, 5-0-5 and Illinois Dribbling tests. Single beam photocells (Chronojump Boscosystem) were used and 3D motion capture system with a video camera set at 210 Hz (CASIO EX-ZR800) recorded the entire action. Results. Findings point out that the players’ COD test result correlates positively [505 test (Contact time, r = 0.62, p = 0.004 and COD deficit, r = 0.55, p = 0.01) and Illinois Dribbling test [velocity (r = 0.45, p = 0.04)] with offensive skills whilst it correlates negatively [Illinois Dribbling test (r = -0.46, p = 0.04)] with defensive skills. Conclusions. This study highlights the importance to perform a multidisciplinary approach considering either the coaches’ assessment and players’ COD performance to provide relevant information for TID.

<p>Los objetivos del estudio fueron analizar como afectaba la incertidumbre a los Tiempos de Reacción (TR), y la evaluación del Punto de No Retorno (PdNR). Participaron diez jugadores experimentados. Se utilizaron LEDs para proyectar objetivos/targets en pantallas. Al encenderse el LED los participantes debían pasar hacia el objetivo/target lo más rápido posible para evaluar sus TRs. En la fase segunda y durante el Tiempo de Movimiento (TM) del pase el objetivo/target podía cambiar aleatoriamente a otra posición en cinco instantes con un retraso progresivo dependiendo del TR y TM de cada jugador. Los resultados indicaron que la incertidumbre incrementa TR, pero no afecta TM. Cuando se retrasó el cambio de objetivo/target, no cambiaron ni TR ni TM, pero aparecieron errores. El PdNR se determinó en 2/5TM+TR, dado que los errores se dispararon a partir de ahí. Se sugiere continuar el estudio para definir un entrenamiento que disminuya errores y TRs.</p>