Attack efficiency in first league men’s volleyball for playing positions, according to the value level of the teams

Abstract

Background and Study Purpose. The attack is a crucial technical element in scoring points in volleyball. This research aims to identify differences in attack efficiency and errors based on the value level of teams in the competitive system, considering different playing positions. Material and Methods. The analysis included 86 attacking players from the rosters of 12 teams in the men’s domestic first league. The distribution by positions was as follows: 37 outside hitters, 19 opposites, and 30 middle blockers. Statisticians from each team recorded the data using Data Volley software during three championship matches. For each player, the following parameters were interpreted: Attack Efficiency (E%), Error% (=), Blocked Attack% (/), Poor% (-), Blocked but Recovered% (!), Positive% (+), and Winning% (#). Attack efficiency was analyzed for each playing position across top teams (positions 1-4 in the final ranking), mid-level teams (positions 5-8), and lower-level teams (positions 9-12). Results. Across all three playing positions, top teams demonstrate higher percentages in attack efficiency, winning executions, and positive outcomes compared to average and lower-level teams. Top and average teams also have lower percentages of errors in attack executions. For the outside hitter position, no statistically significant superiority is observed between top and middle teams for any attack variable, indicating a balance in player performance. In the opposite hitter position, top and middle-level players show higher attack efficiency and direct point scores (Winning). They also have lower poor execution rates, despite the lack of statistical confirmation for superiority in many attack variables. Among all positions, top middle blockers exhibit a clear superiority over low-level teams across all attack variables. Conclusions. The findings of the study highlight the critical role of team value level in influencing attack efficiency and execution quality across different playing positions in volleyball. The results underscore the importance of strategic differentiation in training and game planning. This is especially crucial for teams aiming to optimize their performance. Coaches and trainers should focus on tailored approaches that address the specific strengths and weaknesses of each playing position. They should also consider the overall team value level in their strategies. This approach could lead to improved competitive outcomes and a more effective utilization of player potential across all levels of competition.