The Effects of Modifying the Distance of the Penalty Shot in Water Polo

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of changing the distance of the penalty shot in water polo from 4 to 5 m. While a shorter distance made the penalty shot more effective, it also reduced the use of this sanction. A total of 192 matches played in the 2003 and 2007 Water Polo World Championships were recorded. The sample included 278 penalty shots in both tournaments. Notational analysis using a longitudinal correlational and descriptive design was employed to determine whether a longer distance increased the number of sanctioned penalties (81 vs 197) and caused a non-significant decrease in scoring efficiency (7.4%) with significant differences in the relationship between the area and the type of a shot, with less centre and power shots (14.8% vs 7.1%) observed and predominance of bounce shots to the right of the goal posts. The rule change prompted more penalties, produced changes in shot direction as well as the type of a shot, and yielded a decrement of 7.4% in scoring efficiency.

origin, evolution and influence on the game of water polo rules (Origen, evolución e influencia de las reglas de waterpolo sobre la dinámica del juego)

“…During this period, the rule changes will probably improve the structure of the water polo game with the aim of trying to establish equilibrium between attack and defence phases. During the last few years, some aspects of the game have been modified, leading to an increase in the penalty (Argudo, Ruiz-Barquín, & Borges, 2016), a greater number of shots, a decrease in the efficiency of the counterattacks and a decrease in the influence of temporary exclusions on the final results of the matches. However, a…”

“…It also allows two-handed shots to be blocked, and adds that the midfield must be passed within 20 seconds, with a penalty if the ball returns to the goalkeeper (Hraste, Bebić, & Rudić, 2013;Lozovina & Lozovina, 2019a). Finally, mention should be made of the studies on the effects of the change of distance in the penalty shot (Argudo, Ruiz-Barquín, & Borges, 2016) and the use of time out by coaches (Ruiz-Lara, Borges-Hernández, Ruiz-Barquín, & Argudo, 2018). Although these have remained a mere description of existing regulations or very superficial analyses of the game, they are not interested in knowing how these changes have affected the development of the game, its actions and transfers to training (Ávila-Moreno et al, 2018).…”

Goal Shot Analysis in Elite Water Polo—World Cup Final 2018 in Berlin

“…Comparing the hit rate of the prototypically unimpeded and maximally fast penalty throwss (n = 66) in the 2018 World Cup final, for example, with that at the 2007 Men's World Cup in Melbourne, where the penalty throw distance was increased from 4 m to 5 m for the first time at a World Cup, the first result that stands out is the significantly reduced hit rate from 74.1% at the time [33] to the current 67.0%. Since the throwing speed increased significantly during the same historical period, the main causes might be an improved goalkeeping performance on the one hand, and a lower goal shot accuracy due to the greater shooting distance on the other hand.…”

Analysis of the efficacy values in water polo goalkeepers

“…Durante los últimos años, una de las líneas más importantes de investigación en ciencias del deporte ha sido la que ha analizado las cualidades perceptivocognitivas (Catalán, González, Abellán & Contreras, 2014), cobrando especial relevancia su estudio en deportes en los que existe el rol de portero, como es el caso del fútbol (Castillo, Oña, Raya, Bilbao & Serra, 2009) y balonmano (Moreno, Redondo, Calvo & Rivilla, 2012). Desgraciadamente, en el caso del waterpolo, y debido a la propia idiosincrasia de este deporte, así como a las limitaciones del entorno acuático en el que se desarrolla, hacen que se dificulte la evaluación de las capacidades generales de los waterpolistas (Hohmann & Frase, 1992), por lo que son muy pocos los estudios en este campo publicados hasta la fecha (Tsekouras, Kavouras, Campagna, Kotsis, Syntosi, Papazoglou & Sidossis, 2005), y menos aún los que se han preocupado por analizar la eficacia del portero, así como las posibles diferencias entre sexos (Argudo, García, Alonso & Ruiz, 2007;Argudo, Ruiz-Barquín & Borges, 2016). Uno de los pocos casos conocidos son los estudios de Argudo y colaboradores (Argudo, García & Ruiz, 2016;Argudo, Ruiz-Barquín & Borges, 2016;Borges, Argudo & Ruiz, 2017), donde se aprecia la existencia de diferencias significativas entre los tipos y velocidades de lanzamientos en función del sexo, el número de disparos por partido, el número de expulsiones y penaltis señalados, etc.…”

“…Desgraciadamente, en el caso del waterpolo, y debido a la propia idiosincrasia de este deporte, así como a las limitaciones del entorno acuático en el que se desarrolla, hacen que se dificulte la evaluación de las capacidades generales de los waterpolistas (Hohmann & Frase, 1992), por lo que son muy pocos los estudios en este campo publicados hasta la fecha (Tsekouras, Kavouras, Campagna, Kotsis, Syntosi, Papazoglou & Sidossis, 2005), y menos aún los que se han preocupado por analizar la eficacia del portero, así como las posibles diferencias entre sexos (Argudo, García, Alonso & Ruiz, 2007;Argudo, Ruiz-Barquín & Borges, 2016). Uno de los pocos casos conocidos son los estudios de Argudo y colaboradores (Argudo, García & Ruiz, 2016;Argudo, Ruiz-Barquín & Borges, 2016;Borges, Argudo & Ruiz, 2017), donde se aprecia la existencia de diferencias significativas entre los tipos y velocidades de lanzamientos en función del sexo, el número de disparos por partido, el número de expulsiones y penaltis señalados, etc. Y es que la atención a la figura del portero, dentro del ámbito del entrenamiento deportivo, es inexistente o anecdótica y muchas veces planteada sobre una base de conocimiento intuitiva (Speicher, Kleinoeder, Klein, Schacck & Mester, 2006).…”