Global vision to understand the game situations in modern basketball

In basketball, as in all team sports, collaboration systems offensive and defensive demand for an effective communication among the players, a fast and correct comprehension of game situations. The task of the coach will be to train the players thinking, using a method of teaching-learning useful for their proper growth technique, tactics and psychological, accustoming them through targeted exercises to observe the evolution of the game, to understand the various technical and tactical aspects, to know how to choose which skills and how to play each fundamental in various situations and know how to perform. The workout structured in such a way greatly increases the degree of adaptation from the players to the different forms of unpredictability that basketball reserve, as well as to stabilize the provision of a level of quality. This study should aim to describe the method teaching, to analyze some aspects of planning and specific strategies to train in a modern vision of basketball. Method is theoretical and argumentative with deductive approach. It is collected the main technicaltactical paradigm to apply at a new vision of the basketball. Results show situations is the aim for a correct analysis of the question and so the planning and each training session has to be structured according to algorithm in which there is the pathway to give a good response to the problem

The double RGB in M 2: C, N, Sr and Ba abundances

The globular cluster M 2 has a photometrically detected double red giant branch (RGB) sequence. We investigate here the chemical differences between the two RGBs in order to gain insight in the star formation history of this cluster. The low-resolution spectra, covering the blue spectral range, were collected with the MODS spectrograph on the LBT, and analyzed via spectrum synthesis technique. The high quality of the spectra allows us to measure C, N, Ba, and Sr abundances relative to iron for 15 RGB stars distributed along the two sequences. We add to the MODS sample C and N measurements for 35 additional stars belonging to the blue RGB sequence, presented in Lardo et al. (2012). We find a clear separation between the two groups of stars in s-process elements as well as C and N content. Both groups display a C-N anti-correlation and the red RGB stars are on average richer in C and N with respect to the blue RGB. Our results reinforce the suggestion that M2 belongs to the family of globular clusters with complex star formation history, together with Omega Cen, NGC 1851, and M 22.Comment: 11 pages, 8 figures. Accepted for publication in MNRA

Energetic cost of running with and without the ball in male basketball players

This study aimed to assess the energetic cost ( C) at different running conditions (RC) with/without the ball (1000m at 80% of VO(2)max) during: Linear running, Shuttle running (180 degrees), Linear running with stop and restart, between two groups according to the position/role (guards: n=15; forwards/centres: n=15). Experimental approach to the problem required the following tests/devices: a portable Metabolimeter was used to assess the metabolic parameters for each RC, Squat Jump (OptoJump) to assess the strength's decrease differences of the lower limbs before/ after each test and Ratings of Perceived Exertion (RPE) after each RC to assess the training load, while the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS-IMU) was used to assess the body inclinations and Acceleration/ Deceleration for each RC. The T-test was used for independent samples and Two-way repeated measures ANOVA was used to assess the significant differences for each variable between each RC. The results of this study could be useful not only for coaches to optimize basketball training load related to the RC (with and without the ball), but also to optimize the motor learning in young basketball players and to optimize the load of work in relation to the position and energetic capacities of players. The main evidence of this study has confirmed initial hypothesis, showing a different metabolic expenditure in the six running conditions ( Linear Running, Linear Running & Stop and restart, Shuttle run with and without ball) and between the two groups taken in consideration (Guards and Forwards/Centres). In addition, different energetic cost between the two groups increases even more during the running with the ball compared to running without the ball

Physical education teaching in Italian primary school: theoretical lines and operational proposals

Background and Study Aim For the new reform to be applied in the best possible way, it is a priority and useful to promote the development of knowledge on the organization and methods of teaching/learning in physical education in primary school. This study aims to search for a new didactic organizational model for physical education in primary school, starting from the theoretical lines, showing the contrasts of the significant aspects and the uniqueness of heuristic learning, with a consequent theoretical and argumentative elaboration of operational proposals.Material and Methods For this purpose, an accurate survey of the scientific literature has been analyzed, highlighting the critical issues that characterized the various proposals and attempt to implement physical activity and sports education courses in primary school over the years, up to the recent legislative innovation.Results The path of the definition of physical education in primary school was marked by stages that did not always enhance the educational and training dimension of the motor and sports experience, making the school discipline assume a marginal and optional role in the face of an extracurricular practice characterized by a widespread organization and more capable of intercepting and responding to the physical exercise and sport needs of society. This complex situation has only generated confusion without solving the problem of the absence of physical and sporting activity in the 5-10 age group, as required by the World Health Organization and the European Union, by adequately and uniquely qualified teachers. It is now useful to promote the development of knowledge on the didactic organization of the primary school, on the different teaching/learning methods in physical education, to contextualize the scope of the new legal provision to the current legal framework.Conclusions The study highlights the value of a new approach in teacher training that aims to ensure the acquisition of key competence, according to the Recommendation of the European Parliament. This perspective can be easily realized by using a core curriculum uniformly applied at the national level

Heuristic Learning as a Method for Improving Students’ Teamwork Skills in Physical Education

Transversal skills are the knowledge, skills, and personal qualities that are currently needed to meet the demands of the working world and everyday life. Schools have the task of equipping students with these skills, working not only on disciplinary goals but also on operational–behavioral goals. In 2018, the European Union adopted new recommendations on eight key competencies for lifelong learning and asked schools to implement new methods to develop these recommendations. To be successful, it is necessary to stimulate students’ development of these competences, which are also called soft skills, from the earliest years of the school experience. Physical education (PE) is called upon to make its contribution. In Italy, the two teaching methods used during PE classes are prescriptive teaching and heuristic learning. It is not clear which of the two methods is the most effective in improving soft skills, especially the skills involved in teamwork. The objective of this article was to compare the effects of these two teaching methods on students’ teamwork skills during PE classes in primary schools. After verifying the normality of the data, a Student’s t-test for dependent samples was performed to assess pre-test and post-test differences in each of two groups, while a Student’s t-test for independent samples was performed to compare the two groups after 3 months. Heuristic learning proved to be the most effective method for improving teamwork skills. The results may make an important contribution to future teacher training on the most effective teaching methods for developing students’ soft skill

The physical effort required from professional football players in different playing positions

The purpose of this study is to examine the physical effort required at professional football players (Italian Championship) in relation to the examination of a series of friendly matches at different times of the year, compared to their role, using the technology of GPS, for finalizing the training to improve the sport performance. The activities of players were monitored using GPS technology with a sampling rate of 10 Hz. The total distance covered, distances with different speed and accelerations were analyzed in relation to five different roles: (CD) central defenders, (FB) full-backs, (M) midfielders, (AM) advanced midfielders and (A) attackers. Players activities were monitored using GPS technology with a sampling rate of 10 Hz. Total distance covered, distance at different speeds and accelerations were analyzed in relation in five different roles: (CD) central defenders, (FB) full-backs, (M) midfielders, (AM) advanced midfielders and (A) attackers. The maximum covered distance (over 10 km) during a friendly match was reached by the third (FB), midfielders (M) and advanced midfielders (AM); The same ones have covered, too, the greatest distances in high-intensity running (> 16 km/h); instead, the attackers and central defenders covered the distance in high power. The full-backs (FB) and Advanced Midfielders (AM) have producted high acceleration and deceleration compared to other roles, while midfielders (M) have developed greater metabolic power. Finally, the end-of-season results were compared with the data gained at the beginning of the year and important differences between the various roles were noted

Gaia Data Release 2. Cross-match with external catalogues - Algorithms and results

Context. Although the Gaia catalogue on its own is a very powerful tool, it is the combination of this high-accuracy archive with other archives that will truly open up amazing possibilities for astronomical research. The advanced interoperation of archives is based on cross-matching, leaving the user with the feeling of working with one single data archive. The data retrieval should work not only across data archives but also across wavelength domains. The first step for a seamless access to the data is the computation of the cross-match between Gaia and external surveys. Aims. We describe the adopted algorithms and results of the pre-computed cross-match of the Gaia Data Release 2 (DR2) catalogue with dense surveys (Pan-STARRS1 DR1, 2MASS, SDSS DR9, GSC 2.3, URAT-1, allWISE, PPMXL, and APASS DR9) and sparse catalogues (Hipparcos2, Tycho-2, and RAVE 5). Methods. A new algorithm is developed specifically for sparse catalogues. Improvements and changes with respect to the algorithm adopted for DR1 are described in detail. Results. The outputs of the cross-match are part of the official Gaia DR2 catalogue. The global analysis of the cross-match results is also presented.Comment: accepted for publication in A&A Gaia DR2 special issu