Successful and Unsuccessful Offensive Sequences Ending in a Shot in Professional and Elite Under-16 Basketball

Abstract

Following observational methodology, we analyzed successful and unsuccessful offensive attacks by professional and elite under-16 (U16) basketball players in Spain using an adapted ad hoc observation instrument designed to study efficiency in basketball. We identified both similarities and differences between how players from both categories built their attacks. The synchronic statistical analysis based on frequency counts showed that shots were more efficient in professional basketball and that U16 basketball was less static and had a higher frequency of fast breaks. Diachronic analysis, which consisted of T-pattern detection using Theme software, allowed us to identify characteristic successful and unsuccessful offensive sequences in professional and elite U16 basketball. These results have practical implications as they can be used to design training drills and prepare for competitions in U16 and professional basketball.

Effect of Ball Screen and One-on-One on the Level of Opposition and Effectiveness of Shots in the ACB

“…The findings in this tournament show that the best performances when executing these game actions (1-on-1 and BS) were obtained with not defended shots close to the basket, confirming conclusions from other studies [ 5 , 10 , 32 , 35 ], and, if close shots were not possible, they tried to go for not defended shots towards the centre of the court, as suggested by other researches analysing finishes in carrying the ball in these kinds of situations [ 8 , 26 , 27 , 28 ]. In the same line, it is normal that the spaces towards the corners are not very frequent.…”

“…The first finding of the research identified the open (not defended) shot at basket as the first predictive variable of success in positional 5-on-5 situations against an individual defence, as reported by other research in other contexts [ 7 , 10 , 12 , 35 ]. These data would allow us to think about the fact that, if the coach’s OS encourages cooperation strategies among the players of his team, it can favour the obtaining of open shots (not contested) [ 4 , 8 ], which means that playing with passes could help with being more effective in possessing, as other investigations in different contexts already stated [ 8 , 11 , 16 , 30 ].…”

“…On the other side, the defensive team will react by accumulating opponents in order to protect their space, trying to make the ballhandler pass the ball or take a shot under unfavourable conditions [ 11 , 50 , 51 ]. So, data point out that, due to the defensive response of the opponent, on many occasions, the player has to pass the ball to other teammates who are free, as mentioned in the literature [ 7 , 8 , 10 , 35 ], situated in the free spaces outside the 3-point line, on the sides and at the corners. Therefore, researchers confirm the need to improve the success percentages in these zones, as they are shots that are not defended or are less defended than those closest to the basket [ 10 , 16 , 32 , 45 ].…”

“…We employed Observational Methodology [ 34 ] which has proven to be a robust scientific method for analysing complex games such as basketball [ 8 , 30 , 35 ]. It is a direct and non-participating observation study.…”

Decision-Making Skills in Youth Basketball Players: Diagnostic and External Validation of a Video-Based Assessment

“…Another explanation addresses the peculiarities of game pace in youth basketball. Previous research demonstrated that elite youth basketball teams played less static and exhibit a higher frequency of fastbreaks compared to professional adult basketball teams [ 62 ]. With higher game pace, inaccuracies (e.g., turnovers) increase [ 4 ] which may affect the assist-turnover-ratio in the present study.…”