Inter-team variability in game play under critical game scenarios: a study in high-level men’s volleyball using social network analysis (Variabilidad entre equipos en el juego bajo escenarios críticos de juego: un estudio en voleibol masculino de alto ni

Abstract


 Critical scenarios are highly relevant to match analysis because they contribute to a better understanding of performance and provide essential information about team evolution. The goal of this study was to investigate inter-team variability in high-level men's volleyball during critical game scenarios (i.e., non-ideal setting conditions). Ten matches of the Men’s 2019 Volleyball Nations League Finals (Russia, USA, Poland, Brazil, Iran, France) were analyzed (n = 649 plays). Six independent Eigenvector Centrality networks were created (632 nodes; 3507 edges) using Social Network Analysis. When playing under critical scenarios the top two ranked teams differed in side-out attack. Specifically, the USA presented quick attacks, mainly in zone 4, using both the strong attack and exploration of the block. Conversely, Russia presented a game with high attack tempos and strong attacks. The USA and Russia also differed from Poland and Brazil in their approach to the game, the latter two teams using a varied attack (between strong, exploited, and directed attacks). After one error in attack, most teams presented a game style characterized by strong attacks, although Russia played using exploration of the block. The study shows teams competing at the same competitive level have differences in game patterns. The variability in approaches to the attack in critical scenarios (e.g., under non-ideal setting conditions and/or after consecutive attack errors) revealed that teams find different solutions for similar problems. Findings imply that match analysis should focus on exploring inter-team differences in gameplay while being cautious when interpreting aggregate data.
 Resumen. Los escenarios críticos son muy relevantes para el análisis de partidos porque contribuyen a una mejor comprensión del rendimiento y proporcionan información esencial sobre la evolución del equipo. El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar la variabilidad entre equipos en el voleibol masculino de alto nivel durante escenarios críticos de juego (principalmente en condiciones de colocación no ideales). Se analizaron diez partidos de las Finales de la Liga de Naciones de Voleibol Masculino 2019 (Rusia, Estados Unidos, Polonia, Brasil, Irán, Francia) (n=649 jugadas). Se crearon seis redes de centralidad de autovector independientes (632 nodos; 3507 bordes) utilizando el análisis de redes sociales. Cuando se jugaba en escenarios críticos, los dos mejores equipos clasificados diferían en ataque lateral. Específicamente, los Estados Unidos presentaron ataques rápidos, principalmente en la zona 4, utilizando tanto el fuerte ataque como la exploración del bloqueo. Por el contrario, Rusia presentó un juego con altos ritmos de ataque y ataques fuertes. Los Estados Unidos y Rusia también se diferenciaron de Polonia y Brasil en su enfoque del juego, los dos últimos equipos utilizando un ataque variado (entre ataques fuertes, explotados y dirigidos). Después de un error en ataque, la mayoría de los equipos presentaron un estilo de juego caracterizado por ataques fuertes, aunque Rusia jugó utilizando la exploración del bloque. El estudio muestra que los equipos que compiten al mismo nivel competitivo tienen diferencias en los patrones de juego. La variabilidad en los enfoques del ataque en escenarios críticos (en condiciones de colocación no ideales y/o después de errores de ataque consecutivos) reveló que los equipos encuentran diferentes soluciones para problemas similares. Los hallazgos implican que el análisis de partidos debe centrarse en explorar las diferencias entre equipos en el juego y, al mismo tiempo, ser cauteloso al interpretar los datos agregados.

Inter-player Variability Within the Same Positional Status in High-level Men's Volleyball

“…We argue that it is important to accurately characterize each stage of the game in the training process, creating exercises with increased pressure in the task (for example, in exercises with non-ideal setting conditions or with error management in attack) and at the moment (for example, with the use of conditioning with the marker) to improve the ecology of the game. Moreover, these results strengthen the idea that training, even in the base training of the young athlete, coaches should consider the individual characteristics for building a dynamic game model, rather than trying to force a generic performance model (Martins et al, 2022;Vargas et al, 2018).…”

“…We identified key differences as a function of positional status. In KI, under non-ideal setting conditions, OHNs were more likely to use the strong attack while the OHAs alternated between the strong attack and the tip, following the investigation of Martins et al (2022). As advocated by Laporta et al (2019), this is probably because OHNs are usually the more powerful outside hitters.…”

“…For example, attack zone appears concurrently with type of attack, so categories of the attack zone determine connection with the attack type. Though, attack zone is moved by setting conditions and followed by block opposition, thus it results in new direct connections to these two variables (Martins et al, 2022). The node sizes were manipulated, differing from a value of 100 and 300, to provide a good graphic difference.…”

“…Studies on variability between players with different positional statuses have revealed specificities in movement behaviors between defenders, midfielders, and forwards (Gonçalves et al, 2014). Specifically, all players were closer and more coordinated with their centroid of positional status, although this coupling effect was et Martins et al, 2022;. Laporta et al (2021) in its research into inter-team variability within the same competitive level, the main objective was to understand how different models of play can coexist at the same competitive level in women's volleyball.…”

“…Laporta et al (2021) in its research into inter-team variability within the same competitive level, the main objective was to understand how different models of play can coexist at the same competitive level in women's volleyball. In the studies of 2022) advocated an identical approach to understand the variability between selections under non-ideal setting conditions and also between players of the same position, in men's and women's volleyball correspondingly, because there may be a subtle variability between players within a single positional state.…”