Study of the defensive performance indicators in peak performance basketball

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to analyze the different defensive performance indicators in basketball, analyzing the difference in relation to success (efficacious or non-efficacious defenses) and the game result (win or loss). All half-court offenses (n=1045) from the quarterfinal, semifinal, consolation game, and final of the 2008 Olympics Games were analyzed. In each defense phase, the following variables were analyzed with regard to the team on defense: (1) Type of defense used, (2) Pressure in offense transition, (3) Defensive switches, (4) Helping on defense, (5) Inside passes, (6) Degree of opposition when shooting, (7) Points allowed, (8) Final result of the game, and (9) Defensive efficacy. The most significant results show that: : a) the type of defense that was most used was quarter-court man-on-man at 6.25m (man-on-man at 6.25m), but the one that was most efficacious was the half-court zone defense; b) transition pressure was used in 23.83% of the game phases; c) defensive switches were done in 7.85% of the game phases; d) helping on defense was used in 60% of the game phases; e) inside passes were taken in 30.9% of the game phases; f) 38.9% of the shots were done with high opposition; and g) points were scored in 42.28% of the game phases, such that winning teams allowed the opponent to score in 38.81% of the game phases, and losing teams in 45.77%.