The effect of set on the structure of the opponents’ block in the 1st National Division

Eleni Paschali, Aikaterini Papadimitriou, Eleni Zetou & Vasilis Gourgoulis

Democritus University of Thrace, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science

Volleyball is assigned to team-sports and specifically to net-games. The success in gaining points by attack or kill blocks is mainly determined by the players’ cooperation and the successful ball contacts. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of time, quality and zone direction of setter’s set in the structure of the block, in first (A1) national division. The sample was the Greek setters of first (A1) men national division, in 2001-2002 season game. 48-videotaped games were observed (4 for each team). Data were collected via the Video A.S. program, using the indirect observation method. The following pa- rameters were evaluated: a) tempo of the set, b) quality of the set, c) zone of set’ s direction and d) structure of opponents’ block. According to Crosstabs analysis, the 2nd tempo sets were the most often used. Also these sets were directed mainly to the 4th and 2nd zone. It seems that the tempo of the set, the set quality and the direction zone of set, influenced the structure of opponents’ block. Μost of the sets were against double block, (regardless of the tempo, the quality or the direction zone of set), except the first tempo sets, the sets directed to the 3rd zone and the sets of bad quality performance. In conclusion, the structure of the oppo- nent’s block seems to be influenced under the tempo, the quality and the direction zone of set.

Key words: volleyball, structure of the block, set, observation.

The Effect of the Application of the New Volleyball Regulations

According to the Opinion of Coaches and Athletes

Yiannis Aggelonidis, Panayiotis Kountouris, Yiannis Laios & Alkinoi Katsikadelli

Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, University of Athens, Athens, Hellas

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of the application of the new volleyball regulations according to the opinion of coaches and athletes. The sample comprised 37 coaches and 246 ath- letes of both sexes, most of which belonged to clubs of the Greek Premier Division. The answers to the ques- tions ranged in a six-grade scale from 1=Not at all to 6=Very Much. The results showed that the coaches’ general conception of the changes effected by the new regulations was far more positive than the athletes’. The rule that brought the greatest changes to the game was the introduction of the new specialty of the “Libero” player. In particular coaches, in contrast to players, believe that the entrance of the “Libero” player has differentiated the game tactics and improved the team’s effectiveness. The “Libero” players themselves, in contrast to other players, alleged that their presence can influence the team’s cohesion and elevate them to the role of team leaders.

Keywords: Volleyball, rules, Llibero, tactics.

Sport Orientation of Wheelchair Basketball Athletes

Georgia Magouritsa, Dimitrios Kokaridas, Maria Hassadra, Stefanos Perkos, Stylianos Tsapatos, & Andreas Davos

Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Hellas

The purpose of this study was to examine sport motivation of wheelchair basketball athletes in terms of win orientation, goal orientation and competitiveness. Participants were 45 male wheelchair basketball players from different teams of the Greek National Championship. They completed the Sport Orientation Questionnaire (Gill & Deeter, 1988), which assesses scores for three factors: competitiveness, goal orientation and win orientation. The results of the study revealed low levels of competitiveness and goal orientation along with a moderate level of win orientation. Based on the findings concerning sport orientation of wheelchair basketball athletes, further recommendations were made for the formulation of more effective goal-setting programs.

Keywords: sport orientation, wheelchair basketball, athletes

Developing Offense in Basketball After A Return Pass Outside As Crucial Factor Of Winning

George Mavridis1, Athanasios Laios1, Kyriakos Taxildaris1 & George Tsiskaris2

1Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Democritus University of Thrace, Komotini,

2Aristoteles University of Thessaloniki, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Thessaloniki

The purpose of the present study was to register the effectiveness of the control offense of basketball teams, after a pass has returned from the central to the guard and forward positions. The registration con- cerned both winners and losers. The sample consisted of 80 European and 80 NBA video-recorded games, during the period 2000-2001. The effectiveness of the control offense, after the return of a pass from the cen- tral to the guard and forward positions was compared to the effectiveness of the outside game. For the ana- lysis of the games, the computer program used was the BasketAs. For the statistical analysis of data, the pro- gram used was the non-parametric x2 (chi square) distribution. The results, revealed that the effectiveness of the control offense is statistically more important, when it occurs after the return of a pass from the central to the guard and forward positions for both winners and losers. Fewer mistakes were observed during the of- fense, when outpasses were attempted. In the whole sample, efforts for two-point shots characterized the winners.

Keywords: basketball, control offense, Basketball Analyzing System.