Complex system theory in team sports. Example in 5 on 5 basketball contest

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to analyze basketball contest under complex systems framework. Control and order parameters were defined as time and offensive rating. The data was composed by 73 games from the ACB league during the 2007-08 season. Relative phase of confronting teams was calculated through Hilbert Transform. Results show stability, instability and transition periods, with coordination in-phase and anti-phase. Perturbations were found in the development of the game. These perturbations move the systems from stable to instable states. Findings of the study guarantee the dynamics analysis of basketball contest. Coaches should prepare their teams to be able of analyze environmental information and find new solutions for game constraints.