Applying Unsupervised Machine Learning Models to Identify Serve Performance Related Indicators in Women’s Volleyball

In elite volleyball, the serve takes an offensive form, aiming to directly score a point or significantly hinder the opponent from launching an attack. Which is why the research aimed to compare the type and effectiveness of the serve in the main round of Tauron and PlusLiga in the 2021/2022 season and update the current knowledge on the types of serves by function and gender. The study analysed observation consisted of 314 women’s and men’s matches. VolleyStation Pro v 1.29.5; Volleystation z o. o. Poland. Data from the main round matches that took place in the 2021/2022 season in the Polish elite league PlusLiga (182 men’s matches) and Tauron Liga (132 women’s matches) were used, and the regular season consisted of 2 rounds. The average percentage effectiveness of the serve in women was higher (E = 22%) than in men (E = 15%). In women, only 3 types were observed (JS, JF and W), as much as 86% of all the serves were JF serves. In men, as many as 5 types (JS, JF, FJS, FJF and W), of which over 67% were dynamic JS serves (jumping serve). The serve element has been modified over the years to obtain better effects conducive to winning. Ranging from increasing the speed of the serve, eliminating the serves from the spot in favor of the jump serves, to the use of serves to hide the correct hit of the ball (“Fake”—FFJ, FJS).

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Serving to win: exploring serve-reception effectiveness in high-level male and female sitting volleyball players

Cavedon,

Sandri,

Zuccolotto

et al. 2024

Front. Sports Act. Living

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IntroductionThis study was planned to assess the association between serve efficacy and match outcome, and to investigate which factors are associated with serve efficacy in high-level male and female Sitting Volleyball players.MethodsThe study sample was comprised of a total of 3,664 serving actions, performed during the 2020 Paralympic Games and the 2022 Sitting Volleyball World Championship. For each serving action, we considered serve efficacy (i.e., Point lost, Negative Serve, Positive serve and Point won), serve zone, type of serve technique, target zone of the serve, type of reception, receiving player and match outcome (i.e., match won, or match lost).ResultsThe Mixed-effects logistic regression model showed that serve efficacy is significantly associated with the match outcome, increasing serve efficacy being associated with increased chances of winning the game. The ratio between the probability of winning and losing the game started at 0.86 for a Point lost and increased to 1.67 for a Point won. Compared to Negative serves, Positive serves were associated with a higher probability that the opponent team would use a low reception rather than a high reception. In turn, a low reception was associated with a higher chance (from 45.1% to 58.3%) of the receiving team committing an error in the side-out phase.DiscussionBased on these results, it is recommended that high-level coaches focus on improving their players' serve efficacy by instructing them on managing risk, avoiding serves to the front zone, and reducing the likelihood of overhead receptions.

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Applying Unsupervised Machine Learning Models to Identify Serve Performance Related Indicators in Women’s Volleyball

Cited by 3 publications

References 23 publications

Probabilistic model for Padel games dynamics

Probabilistic model for Padel games dynamics

The effectiveness and types of serves used in elite women’s and men’s volleyball in the 2021/2022 season

Serving to win: exploring serve-reception effectiveness in high-level male and female sitting volleyball players

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