Skirtingų mokymo(si) metodikų bei pagalbinių priemonių taikymo poveikis baudos metimų tikslumui

Relevance of the topic. Basketball is a sports game the aim of which is to throw the ball into the opponent’s basket. The improvement in basketball is directly linked to one of the most significant problems arising to basketball players, coaches and researchers: the improvement of accuracy of shooting and free throws (Nemeth, 2002; Stonkus, 2003; Emma, 2004; Sivils, 2010; Filippi, 2011). The dependence of the efficiency of shooting as the main technical action in playing basketball is manifold: the accuracy of shooting is determined by biomechanical parameters (Brancazio, 1981; Hudson, 1985; Miller, 2002; Fontanella, 2007; Bartlett, 2008), movement stability (Millslagle, 2002; Button et al., 2003; Okubo, Hubbard, 2006; Bartlett et al., 2007; Lam et al., 2009), and ability of the human body to adapt to physical loads of different intensity (McInnes et al., 1995; Ziv, Lidor, 2009; Mongomery et al., 2010) and types as well as mental abilities of players (Burke, Brown, 2002; Vealey, Greenleaf, 2006; Malinauskas, 2010). Changes in the shooting indices during a basketball match are influenced by active actions of opponents’ defence, defensive systems applied, physical and mental condition of players, the importance of the match and its result. The accuracy of free throws is specifically influenced by the result of the game and the mental condition of the players in relation to the result (Stonkus, 2003; Wissel, 2011). It has been established that free throws make 20–25 percent of all points earned per game (Kozar et al., 1994), thus the efficiency of them is of vital importance for winning (Karipidis et al., 2001; Sampaio, Janeira, 2003; Csataljay et al., 2009; Kreivytė, Čižauskas, 2010; Zuzik, 2011). High activity in the completion of attacks and stability in free throws were demonstrated by the Lithuanian Women’s national Team, the champion in 1997 European Championship, having made 28 free throws per game on average, 22 of which were accurate (79 percent of accuracy), which accounted for 29 percent all merit points per game (Čižauskas, Kreivytė, 2004). It has been established that the mean accuracy of free throws of world basketball players (both men and women) per match is 76 percent. The accuracy of throws of 65 percent is considered to be poor, and the accuracy of the best basketball players usually reaches 90 percent or more in a game (Vickers, 2007). According to the classification of motor control (McMorris, 2004; Schmidt, Wrisberg, 2007; Schmidt, Lee, 2011), free throw is a classified as a closed self-paced action because opponents do not prevent it (Singer, 2000; Lidor, 2007). Many scientists (Lobmeyer, Wasserman, 1986; Wrisberg, Pein, 1992; Mack, 2001; Czech et al., 2004; Gooding, Gardner, 2009) claim that movement accuracy y is much determined by the preparation o perform the movement – the preparation phase. Before a free throw basketball players perform preparatory movements and actions which are defined as a set of motor, affective and cognitive behaviours before the performance of the main action (Kingston, Hardy, 2001; Lidor, Mayan, 2005). It has been established that preparatory actions and movements of skilled basketball players influence beginners (Singer, 2002; McMorris, 2004). According to FIBA rules, a free throw is given 5 s, thus preparatory actions for a throw are rather individual and different for each player (Boutcher, 1990; Cohn, 1990; Moran, 1996; Lidor, Singer, 2003). Research literature contains different methods of preparatory movements and actions before a free throw (Amberry, 1996; Wissel, 2005; 2011; Filippi, 2011), but Wrisberg and Pein (1992) suggest that basketball players themselves have to develop the most appropriate for them preparatory actions and movements before a free throw as well as the set of them. Our research hypothesis (H1) is that learning special preparatory movements and actions as well as the sets of them for a month would improve the accuracy of free throws for young and skilled basketball players. Many researchers (Al-Abood et al., 2002; Singer, 2002; Lidor, Singer, 2003; Wulf et al., 2005; Zachry et al., 2005; Chiviacowsky, Wulf, 2007; Wulf, 2007 a, b) emphasize attention concentration before an independent action. In the context of a competition the attention must be concentrated to the performance of the specific action; otherwise it can be distracted by the noise of the crowd, movements near the court or other similar irritants (Martens, 1999, 2004; Malinauskas, 2010; Weinberg, Gould, 2010). Attention can be concentrated inwards and outwards. Attention focused inwards is attention to the details of the performed movement, e.g. arms, range of motion, speed; attention focused outwards is attention to the final target of movement and/or the environment (Skurvydas, 2008). At present researchers recommend to focus attention outside the movement. Another hypothesis (H2) is that after one month of teaching attention concentration for young and skilled basketball players, their focus of attention to the external factor (the front part of basketball hoop) will have more positive effect on the accuracy of free throws compared to their focus of attention to the internal factor (watching the final movements of their arm). Preparatory movements and actions as well as attention concentration to external factor during a free throw do not guarantee movement stability and accuracy if an incorrect skill in technical action performance is developed (Sowders, 2006; Vann, 2010). It is well known that if we want to change a skill, we need to stop the processes of an old activity and develop a new skill (Vilkas, 2006). Aiming at consolidating correct shooting skills and seeking for high sports results it is recommended to use various non-traditional technical aids (special splints, training balls), facilities (reduced hoops, stands for the improvement of shooting trajectory) which affect the accuracy of the shooting process and the stability of its separate parts (movements) (Foley, 2005; Coryatt, 2007; Heystek, Atwood, 2010; Moye, 2011). Wolf (2006) suggests that learning and improving the technique of shooting with one hand from the shoulder with the help of a special shooting strap for the non-shooting hand, the correct hand position will be formed holding the ball and shooting with the main focus on the non-shooting hand. The hypothesis (H3) is that after a month of teaching with a special shooting strap and using special methods, the technique, accuracy and the application of skills in free throws for skilled basketball players will improve in contest activities. Palubinskas (2004) established that shooting accuracy was affected by the hand position on the ball, and a special training ball was developed on the basis of his recommendations. This ball helps to capture the exact position of the shooting hand and fingers during shooting, i.e. efficiently form and consolidate the steady movements of hand and fingers releasing the ball (detaching the ball from hand). Though the special aids (shooting strap, training ball) have been developed to improve the efficiency of shooting, there is still nor research or publication of the world of sports science on this topic, so the findings of this research will be new information both for sports specialists and for coaches- practitioners. The hypothesis (H4) is that after a after a month of teaching shooting with the help of supportive aids (shooting strap, training ball) and methods, the shooting technique and accuracy of young basketball players will improve and the new correct shooting skills will be retained for a long time. The accuracy of free throws during the practice session and the match is different: the basketball players are more accurate during the practice sessions. The difference can be explained by different shooting conditions: during the practise sessions the free throws are made in sets (e.g. 10 throws), during a match – two and sometimes three free throws. Constant conditions for practice help to master the movement which will be performed automatically later (Adams, 1987; Ackerman, 1988) and variable conditions for practice allow the player to remember the skills better, especially when it is necessary to use it in dynamic conditions of application (Schmidt, 1975; Schmidt, Wrisberg, 2007; Skurvydas, 2008). For this reason the skills the application situation of which do not change are trained under constant practice conditions, and skill which conditions of application vary are trained under variable practice conditions. Some research findings suggest that variable practice conditions can be even more useful for skills the application conditions of which do not change (Ghodsian et al., 1997). The hypothesis (H5) is that the subjects who were learning under constant (standard) conditions will demonstrate better results during practice sessions and testing compared to those subjects who were learning under variable conditions, but it is likely that this level of improvement will remain shorter than the results obtained while training under variable conditions of practice. Establishing and assessing the stability of accuracy of the main basketball technical action – shooting – you cannot rely only on the results of a match. Specific requirements for shooting accuracy can be established only on the basis of direct research and measurements of indices obtained in objective situations of the game or close to the game (Miller, Bartlett, 1996; Stonkus, 2003; Balčiūnas, 2005). The accuracy of free throws of Lithuanian national team basketball players and teams (in different age groups) markedly lags behind the one of other teams winning prizes at European and world championships (Kreivytė, Čižauskas, 2007). Comparatively low accuracy of free throws during the matches compared to the accuracy of free throws during the practice sessions encourage looking for effective methods and means to improve the efficiency of fre

Alternation of indices of shots made by the best world women’s basketball teams

One of the most important fields of research, alongside with others, in sport science is research in the indices of competitive activities and changes taking place in these indices on the basis of the results shown at the most important competitions (Jozwiak Wagner, 1988; Milanovic, 2000; Sampaio Janeira, 2003; Stonkus, 2003; Hughes, Franks, 2004). One of the parts of the system of criteria that allow one to objectively determine and evaluate the readiness of basketball teams and the quality of their performance is performance indices, i. e. model characteristics, quantitative and qualitative indices of shot made at the basket included. The aim of the study was to establish and evaluate quantitative and qualitative indices of shots made at the basket by the best World women’s basketball teams. The data from official statistical documents of 1998, 2002, 2006 world women’s basketball championships were taken and statistical analyses (means, standard deviation) of 216 number of cases were used. The total number of the points earned by the world’s best women’s basketball teams ( x = 8) in the World Championships of 1998 (76.3 ± 13.5), 2002 (79.0 ± 16.1) and 2006 (75.6 ± 14.5) was approximately the same. The number of the throws from close and middle distances was higher in 1998 World Championship (53.0 ± 8.7 and 47.1%), than in 2002 (47.5 ± 9.2 and 50.4%) and 2006 (46.9 ± 7.1 and 46.6%), but their exactness was higher in 2002. The number of throws of the long distances per match... [to full text

Shooting analysis of Lithuanian national basketball men’s teams in different age categories

Background. One of the most important problems for players, coaches and scientists is improving the accuracy of shooting the basket. It is the most important technique for playing basketball, and its dependence on performance is multifaceted. Methods. All 37 games in the 2015 European Championships in U16, U18, U20 and men’s national team were analyzed. Data was selected from the official boxscores of FIBA (International Basketball Federation). The following absolute game-related statistics were gathered: free-throws, 2-point and 3-point field goals (both successful and unsuccessful). The obtained values of the rate of success of 2-point, 3-point and free throw shooting were tested by the non-parametric Mann–Whitney U-test. The statistical analyses were performed using SPSS for Windows, version 20.0, and statistical significance was set at p .05). Most 3-point shots were done by U16 youth team, the least was in men’s national basketball team, a significant difference in the indicators (p .05). Comparing free-throws’ indicators between different age groups, most throws were done by U16 team, the least were done by the U20 team (p .05). Comparing free-throws accuracy indicators between the different age groups of basketball teams, significant differences in indicators were found between men’s national basketball team and U20, U16 (p <.05). Conclusions. The count of 2-point shots made in Lithuanian different age basketball national team games was more or less similar. Most 3-point shots were made by U16 team and the national men’s team made least 3-pointers. The indicators of accuracy did not have a significant difference between national teams, except for free throws: men’s national team made these shots most accurately, opposite situation was with U16 team

Effect of non-traditional aids on the change in free throw accuracy indices

Basketball throws are fundamental and final actions in the offence. When in the case of performance of any other technical actions, certain more or less signifi cant errors are allowable, to play a perfect game, basketball shooting accuracy is the condition of the utmost importance and necessity. The basketball shooting accuracy is improving gradually when motor behaviour technique is being developed and a "feel of basketball shooting" mastered. The "feel of basketball shooting" means summing up the basket-shooter distance and the force being applied during the shooting action. When special aids for basketball shooting (special balls, fastening devices) are applied during practical training sessions, the consistency of basketball shooting motor behaviour should improve, and, consequently, the accuracy of free throw performance should improve as well. The aim of the research has to establish and evaluate the effect of special aids on the change in basketball shooting accuracy. Thirty six girls basketball players aged 14-15 years (n = 36) of adequate level of sports performance participated in the experiment. They were divided into two groups: the experimental (n = 18) one and the control (n = 18) one.After performing the experiment, having carried out the 2 tests of free throws, it has been established that the number of scoring free throws made by the control group has improved by +1.9 throws, however there has been no significant difference in the indices (p > 0.05). The free throw performance results during the 2nd testing improved markedly in comparison to those of the 1st testing (p < 0.05). When applying special aids for basketball shooting (a special fastening device for a non-shooting hand and a special training ball), the best result has been demonstrated by the third experimental group that executed its free throws using both the fastening device and the special ball. The number of scoring shots made by this group has improved from 52.3 ± 9.1 to 79.0 ± 9.8 (+26.7 scoring throws). The free throw accuracy indices of the three experimental groups in comparison with the control group indices have improved statistically significantly after performing the experiment, therefore, application of non-traditional aids to the formation and mastering the skills of this technical action appears to be effective

Differences of indicators in competitive performance between winning and loosing teams in basketball

One of the most important fields of research, alongside with others, in sport science is research in the indicators of sport performance and changes taking place in these indicators on the basis of the results shown at the most important competitions. To prepare a team for basketball games, to build up the best tactics, to make good decisions during a game, coaches need to know which elements of matches are the most crucial ones. Especially at close games where there is small difference between the performances of two teams. The main purpose of this study was to identify those critical performance indicators that most distinguish between winning and losing performances within matches. The statistical analysis of basketball matches can lead to the identification of many significant performance indicators, not all of which can be analyzed in real time. Therefore, a smaller subset of critical performance indicators can be identified by analyzing close matches only. Data from 54 matches were gathered from the oficial score sheets of the European Basketball Championship 2009. Cluster analysis was used to classify the matches into three types such as tight games, balanced games and unbalanced games.There were 31 of these matches that were close matches where the differences between the two teams were 9 points or less. Wilcox on signed ranks tests were used to compare 18 performance indicators between the winning and losing teams within each type of match. There were 10 significant performance indicators for the full set of matches. This was reduced to 7 critical performance indicators when only the close matches were considered. The four most significant ones were the scored points (p < 0.001), the number of successful free throws (p < 0.001), the number of defensive rebounds (p < 0.001) and total rebounds (p < 0.001). The analysis of tight matches explored that the winning teams had significantly less 3 point attempts (p < 0.05) with higher shooting percentage (p < 0.05). Results obtained from balanced and unbalanced games show that winning teams made better performance in most of the game statistics

Analysis of adequacy of physical load intensity of young female basketball players during training sessions and matches

Even in the 1980s the heart rate was considered to be an objective and informative index of players’ response to physical loads and their physical fitness. The course of a basketball match or a training session is not uniform, the heart rate changes together with the intensity of the game, making shots, during a minute break, etc. Thus the mean index of the changing heart rate when the intensity of the game changes creates undulate sets of data. Aiming to obtain optimal changes in training we must apply the most appropriate physical loads for training sessions and matches which matched the adaptive abilities of basketball players, the aims and objectives of their physical training. The aim of the study was to evaluate the intensity of physical load and its adequacy during the training sessions and matches. Research objectives were as follows: to establish the intensity of physical loads during the training sessions and matches; to evaluate the relative degree of adequacy of physical loads in training sessions and matches; to reveal the peculiarities of 14-15 year-old basketball players’ response to specific physical loads. Research results. We studied 18 female basketball players.During the training sessions the dominant index of physical load intensity (HR) of guards was 186.5 ± 7.8 bt / min, forwards – 162.6 ± 6.5 bt / min, and centers – 156.6 ± 6.6 bt / min. During the matches the dominant index of physical load intensity (HR) of guards was 180.8 ± 7.85 bt / min, forwards – 156.2 ± 7.4 bt / min, and centers – 150.6 ± 11.72 bt / min. During the matches the guards demonstrated the greatest heart rate in the first quarter (183.7 ± 3 bt / min), forwards – in the second quarter (156.9 ± 6.4 bt / min) and centers – in the third quarter (153.5 ± 5.5 bt / min). Physical load intensity of the studied female basketball players (guards, forwards and centers) was within the limits of almost maximal intensity of physical loads. The bodies of young female basketball players performing different functions in the game reacted differently to physical loads of various intensities: the heart rates of guards during physical loads were higher than those of forwards and centers. Centers reacted to physical loads least of all

The Benefits of advanced data analytics in basketball: approach of managers and coaches of Lithuanian Basketball League teams

Background. Many industries use a variety of statistical models for a decision-making, but no industry relies on analytical data as a professional sport (Davenport, 2014). Sports organization management and decision-making have a direct relationship with the sports teams and this relationship is called a comprehensive statistical analysis (Radovanović, Radojičić, Jeremić & Savić, 2013). Alamar (2013) argues that a detailed statistical analysis of the game activities is an important aspect in order to more accurately assess the player’s market value. Methods. The sample consisted of 30 respondents (10 managers, 10 coaches, 10 coach assistants) of the 10 men’s basketball teams. Managers and coaches of Lithuanian Basketball League teams had to fill in online questionnaire, the main focus of which was to identify their opinion about advanced data analytics. The questionnaire was designed based on scientific studies (Alamar, 2013; Martinez & Martinez, 2011). Questionnaire scales were tested using SPSS 20.0 statistical analysis program. Results. Statistical analysis showed that questionnaire reliability was average (Cronbach α=.549–.558). The survey results showed that the teams of Lithuanian Basketball League there employ professionals whose main goal is to analyse performance indicators, statistical data of opponents and new incoming players. Majority of managers and coaches believe that new information technologies of advanced basketball data could help improve team performance results and draw more attention to basketball from fans’ perspective. It was found that managers and coaches thought that offensive strategy depends on the players of the team. Coaches and managers had a positive approach to basketball analytics and believed that it had a bright future in basketball industry.Conclusions. The correct use of limitless data would definitely help improve team performance and effectively use their financial resources recruiting the most efficient players

The comparative analysis of accuracy index of throw to the basket by given various physical load

Krepšinis – sporto šaka, kuriai būdinga labai didelio intensyvumo judamoji veikla, jos rezultatai priklauso nuo žaidėjų motorinių galimybių ir gebėjimų, pasireiškiančių rungtynių metu. Vienas svarbiausių – gebėjimas prisitaikyti prienuolatos kintančių fizinių krūvių, nesutrinkant judesių, veiksmų tikslumui, jų pastovumui. Atsižvelgus į tai, kad, viena vertus, 14–15 m. krepšininkių gerėja judėjimo funkcinės galimybės ir koordinaciniai gebėjimai, judesių pastovumas, kita, tuo amžiaus tarpsniu vyksta širdies veiklos pokyčiai, aktuali yra mokslinė problema: kokią įtaką jaunųjų krepšininkių metimų į krepšį tikslumui turi įvairaus intensyvumo fiziniai krūviai. Tyrimo tikslas – nustatyti fizinio krūvio intensyvumo įtaką jaunųjų krepšininkių metimo į krepšį tikslumui. Uždaviniai: 1. Nustatyti ir įvertinti vidutinio intensyvumo fizinių krūvių įtaką įvairaus amplua žaidėjų metimų į krepšį tikslumui pratybų metu. 2. Nustatyti ir įvertinti didžiausio intensyvumo fizinių krūvių įtaką metimų į krepšį tikslumui. 3. Ištirti įvairaus amplua žaidėjų metimų į krepšį tikslumo rodiklių kaitą, esant įvairaus intensyvumo fiziniams krūviams. Tiriamąją imtį sudarė 14–15 metų jaunosios krepšininkės (n=36). Tirtų eksperimentinės grupės krepšininkių pirmojo testo (fizinio krūvio intensyvumas buvo vidutinis) pirmojo testavimo metimų į krepšį tikslumo rodikliai (36,8 %, 14,7 ± 4,1 tikslių metimų) atitiko vidutinio parengtumo krepšininkių rodiklius, antrojo testavimo metimų į krepšį tikslumo rodikliai (45,7 %, 18,3 ± 3,5) buvo kaip labai gero parengtumo krepšininkių rodikliai. Antrojo testo (fizinio krūvio intensyvumas buvo didžiausias) pirmojo testavimo metimų į krepšį rodikliai (35,3 %, 14,2 ± 3,7) buvo vidutinio parengtumo, antrojo testavimo (44,3 %, 17,7 ± 3,5) – geresni negu vidutinio parengtumo krepšininkių. Įvairių ampua žaidėjų pirmojo ir antrojo testų dviejų testavimų vidutinių rodiklių skirtumas buvo statistiškai reikšmingas (p 0.05). The first test indices of the wings during the second testing (under physical load of average intensity) (50 percent, 19,9 ± 3,0) differed statistically significantly from the second test indices during the second testing (48 percent, 19,3 ± 3,1) and reached the zone of good preparedness indices (p<0.05). The first test indices of the centre forwards during the second testing (37 percent, 14,8 ± 1,9) differed insignificantly from the second test indices shown during the second testing (36 percent, 14,2 ± 1,9) and corresponded to the level of average preparedness of girls basketball players

Seasonal changes in physical capacities of elite youth basketball players

The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in seasonal changes in physical capacities of elite youth basketball players during preparatory and competitive periods. A total of 17 elite youth male basketball players from second and third basketball leagues of Lithuania (age: 17.8 ± 1.3 years; height: 198.5 ± 8.2 cm; body mass: 86.4 ± 8.6 kg) voluntarily participated in this study. All of these players also play for youth national teams. The players underwent testing 4 times: before preparatory period, after preparatory period, after first competitive round and after second competitive round. For each player, stage, countermovement jump (CMJ), countermovement jump with free arms (CMJ FA), 10–20 m sprint and lane agility tests were performed. Descriptive analysis was performed using the mean of the count of the event and standard deviation. The reliability of differences between averages was determined in accordance with the Student criterion for independent samples (the normality of distribution was tested by applying the Shapiro–Wilk criterion). In the assessment of the reliability of the results, the difference was deemed to be statistically significant when p < 0.05 (95% reliability). All statistical tests were performed using the software package IBM SPSS version 23.0 for Windows. This study showed that in elite youth basketball players, there were seasonal changes between testing before preparatory period and after second round competitive period, i.e., there was an increase in the indicators of CMJ and lane agility (p < 0.05) but not in CMJ FA and 10–20 m sprint indicators. Physical fitness tests (10– 20 m sprint test, CMJ, CMJ FA, and lane agility test) are essential for the development process of youth basketball players to allow coaches to determine whether players are developing in terms of physical fitness