The Impact of Rule Modifications on Elite Basketball Teams’ Performance

Abstract

Rule modifications in basketball are used to develop the sport, and FIBA changes the basketball regulations periodically and constantly in search of a more attractive game. The objectives of this study were as follows: i) to characterise and identify the technical-tactical performance indicators which discriminated the game style according to the effect of rule modifications; and ii) to analyse the persistence of these indicators according to rule modifications over time. Analyses were made of all the editions of the current competition system of the Copa Del Rey in Spanish basketball. One hundred and forty matches were analysed, starting from the 1995-96 to the 2014-15 season. Data were gathered from the official competition web page (www.acb.com) The variables analysed included rule modifications, the number of ball possessions, points scored, one, two and 3-point field goals made and attempted, total rebounds, defensive and offensive rebounds, assists, steals, turnovers, blocked shots, dunks and committed and received personal fouls, score differences, as well as one, two and 3-point field-goal percentages. Several analyses were carried out: descriptive analysis to characterise the sample; ANOVA to identify differences between periods; discriminant analysis to determine technical-tactical performance indicators which best discriminated between each competition term and rule change period; and finally autocorrelation function and cross-correlation were used to estimate the persistency of performance indicators over time. Results show that rule changes affect the way basketball is played. Nevertheless, players and coaches are the ones who determine functional behavior in basketball.

Are regional differences in basketball already established in under-18 games?

“…In official games played under the rules of FIBA, game-related statistics are recorded according to the regulations established by FIBA 1 , which ensure intra-and inter-operator reliability 2 . In addition, a high level of inter-rater reliability has been repeatedly confirmed (kappa coefficient above 0.89) 4,17,21,25 , so that official scores are treated as reliable in basketball studies 26,27 . Game-related statistics of each game were analyzed separately for the winning and losing teams (298 cases were analyzed in total).…”

“…Game-related statistics have been studied to scientifically illustrate the games in various categories: the Olympic Games for men 3,4,5 and women 6 , FIBA Basketball World Cup for men 7 , professional leagues for men 8,9,10 and women 11,12,13 , and international tournaments for youth athletes 14,15 . In addition, game-related statistics have been analyzed in various contexts such as effects of rule changes 16,17 , age and sex differences 18,19 , and relationship with physical fitness 20 .…”

Regional Differences in Women’s Basketball: A Comparison among Continental Championships

“…However, official box scores are treated as reliable in basketball studies [16,17], because the recording process is executed according to the regulations established by FIBA [18], and a high level of inter-rater reliability (kappa coefficient above 0.89) has been repeatedly confirmed [2,19,20,21]. Game-related statistics of each game were analyzed separately for the winning and losing teams, so that 268 cases were analyzed in total.…”

The Performance Evolution of Match Play Styles in the Spanish Professional Basketball League

“…Statistical modelling in team sports has been an important analytical tool to predict match outcome and the evolution of team's performance [1][2][3][4]. In particular, examination of match-related performance indicators in basketball has enabled modelling to identify winning and losing teams [5], best and worst teams [6], the influence of contextual-related variables [7], the effect of consecutive games [8] or the impact of rule changes [9][10][11] on team's performances. Typically, these analyses have been conducted over a season [5,7], however, analysing team performances over many seasons may identify the evolution and impact of changes on a team's style of play [11].…”

“…Several studies have identified 2-point field goals made and/or defensive rebounds and/or assists as the most prominent team indicators that result in winning basketball matches [5,[12][13][14]. However, the style of basketball match play has likely evolved due to changes in rules (i.e., an increase in the 3-point line distance), match pace (i.e., greater number of ball possessions per match), and team focus on particular match indicators such as turnovers, 3-point field goals attempted or fouls [10,11,15]. A greater understanding of how basketball performances have evolved, particularly those teams that have adapted behaviours to win consistently over many seasons [16], would assist teams for greater and long-term success.…”