The aim of the present study was to identify the game-related statistics that discriminate between season-long successful and unsuccessful basketball teams participating in the Spanish Basketball League (LEB1). The sample included all 145 average records per season from the 870 games played between the 2000-2001 and the 2005-2006 regular seasons. The following game-related statistics were gathered from the official box scores of the Spanish Basketball Federation: 2-and 3-point fieldgoal attempts (both successful and unsuccessful), free-throws (both successful and unsuccessful), defensive and offensive rebounds, assists, steals, turnovers, blocks (both made and received), and fouls (both committed and received). To control for season variability, all results were normalized to minutes played each season and then converted to ^-scores. The results allowed discrimination between best and worst teams' performances through the following game-related statistics: assists (SC =0.47), steals (SC =0.34), and blocks (SC =0.30). The function obtained correctly classified 82.4% of the cases. In conclusion, season-long performance may be supported by players' and teams' passing skills and defensive preparation.

Currently, the number of women involved in sport is increasing. Although, research on their characteristics and performance is scarce. A great amount of research on men's basketball is available, but it is unknown if it can be applied to women's basketball. The objective of this research was to characterize the internal and external load performed by female basketball players during training and sports competition according to playing positions through inertial devices. The participants in the following study were 10 amateur basketball players who competed at regional level (21.7 ± 3.65 years; 59.5 ± 12.27 kg, and 168.5 ± 3.56). Data were collected in games of the final phase (n = 8) and from 5 vs. 5 training tasks (n = 47). All the analyses were run according to playing positions. Each player was equipped with a GarminTM Heart Rate Band and WimuTM inertial device that monitored physical activity and movement in real time. The results obtained showed that the load experienced during competition was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than during training (Heart Rate, Player Load, Steps, Jumps, and Impacts). There were also differences according to playing positions, mainly between the backcourt and frontcourt players (p < 0.001). The players must work in higher areas of heart rate during training, mainly in Z4 and Z5, increasing their HRmáx y HRavg. The training doesn't equal the load supported and the distance performed in competition, so it is necessary to pay more attention during training. This information allows us to develop adequate training protocols adjusted to the specific individual requirements of the sports competition.

ResumenEl objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la eficacia de los lanzamientos a canasta en baloncesto. Se examinó la relación existente entre la eficacia del tiro a canasta y una serie de variables registradas durante la acción del lanzamiento. La muestra estuvo constituida por un total de 8.471 lanzamientos (217,2±25,4), de 39 partidos de la NBA. El 21,4% de los lanzamientos analizados fueron de 1 punto, el 62,8% de 2 puntos y el 15,7% de 3 puntos. Existe relación estadística significativa entre la eficacia y el rol del jugador ( = 154,34, p< 0,001). Estos resultados ponen de manifiesto la necesidad de realizar el entrenamiento de forma más real, adecuándolo a las características de la competición analizada. Conocer las acciones que permiten conseguir una mayor eficacia en el lanzamiento a canasta en cada competición facilitará a los entrenadores el diseño de las sesiones de entrenamiento.Palabras clave: Baloncesto, lanzamiento, eficacia, análisis notacional, NBA. AbstractThe aim of this research was to analyze shot efficacy in basketball. Examining the relationship that exists between shot efficacy and a series of variables registered during this action. The sample was constituted a total of 8471 shots (217.2±25.4) of 39 games of NBA league. 21.4% of the analyzed shot were free throws, 62.8% were 2-point field goal and 15.7% were 3-point field goal. A significant relationship existed only between shot efficacy and the player position that took the shot the free throw ( 2 (4, N= 1457) = 12.61, p<.01). Point guard and small forwards had higher efficacy than centers. Field goals, in 2-and 3-point shots, the following relationships were found: i) between efficacy and period ( = 154.34, p< .001). These results show the necessity to carry out the training in a realer way, adapting it to the characteristics of the analyzed competition. To know the actions that allow obtaining a bigger effectiveness in basketball shot will facilitate the coaches the design of the sessions of training.

The purpose of this study was to identify the basketball game-related statistics that best discriminate performances by sex of players and level of competition. Archival data were obtained from the International Basketball Federation boxscores for all games during men's senior (n=62), men's junior (n=64), women's senior (n=62), and women's junior (n=42) World Championships. The game-related statistics gathered included 2- and 3-point field-goals (both successful and unsuccessful), free-throws (both successful and unsuccessful), defensive and offensive rebounds, blocks, assists, fouls, steals and turnovers. For the analysis only the close games were selected (N= 105, 1 to 12 points difference). Men's teams were discriminated from women's teams by their higher percentage of blocks and lower percentage of steals and unsuccessful 2-point field goals. Junior teams were discriminated from senior teams by their lower percentage of assists and higher percentage of turnovers. In the two-factor interaction, the teams were mainly discriminated by the game-related statistics identified for level of competition.

González-Espinosa, S, Antúnez, A, Feu, S, and Ibáñez, SJ. Monitoring the external and internal load under 2 teaching methodologies. J Strength Cond Res 34(10): 2920–2928, 2020—The purpose of this study was to analyze and compare the physical demands produced by the implementation of 2 sport teaching methods during a class and their relation with the learning achieved by the students. Two intervention programs were used to teach the sport of basketball, one based on the direct instruction (DI) method and the other on the tactical-game approach (TGA). The intervention programs were administered to 4 groups of students, 2 for each methodology, with 88 students participating in the study. A total of 10 practical sessions were given, as well as a pre-test and post-test. The practical sessions and the tests were recorded with an inertial system for monitoring and recording physical activity and movement in real time. Differences were found between the methodologies in the teaching sessions in the variables m·min−1, acc·min−1, PL·min−1, and HRmax (p < 0.000). In the assessment tests, there were also differences between both methodologies in the walk and sprint variables (p < 0.005). The results obtained from the analysis of the sessions using each methodology show that the TGA method obtained better results in the variables of external and internal loads than the DI methodology. The TGA methodology permitted a greater development of the students' physical fitness. Moreover, performance in play was not associated with the achievement of higher values in the results of external and internal load in the tests. The students trained with the TGA methodology recorded better performance indicators in the game. These results lead us to recommend physical education teachers to use a student-centered approach in their lessons because it improved both the students' physical fitness and their sports performance.