Coaches perceived importance of tactical items in basketball players' long term development

Abstract

One of the topics of sport sciences that have not been adequately investigated is the importance that specialists dedicate to tactical skills in long-term players development. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the importance that basketball coaches give to the development of these abilities in both sexes. Data were collected using a questionnaire. Items tapped six areas tactic related to: small sided games, offensive superiority games, defensive superiority games, formal game, offense and defense. The sample was divided according to team’s sex and stage of long-term development: initiation, orientation, specialization, or high-performance. No significant differences were found in small sided games and formal game. Significant differences in assigned importance between coaches of boys to offensive superiority and defensive superiority games were found, supporting that these items should be the subject of more intense development primarily until 14 years of age. Significant differences in assigned importance between coaches of girls to defense were found. Coaches reinforced the importance of developing team offensive aspects, primarily at high-performance stage. Finally, significant differences in assigned importance between coaches of both sexes to defensive tactical work were found. Results confirmed that defensive tactical work should be the subject of more intense development between 11 and 14 years old but mostly after 19 years of age, reinforcing the importance of tactical work in later stages of development, i.e., high-level performance.