Incidence of type of game mode in player participation in minibasket

Abstract

Young basketball players have unique development features that make it necessary to adapt the competition techniques to them. Minibasket competition must provide a high level of participation, many 1-on-1 situations and opportunities to shoot and score. The aim of this research was to compare, in Benjamin minibasket players (aged between 8 and 10 years old) in Extremadura, the competition game mode 4-on-4 with the 3-on- 3 game mode and to compare how player ́s participation is in each game mode. The design of this research is classified as an empirical study with quantitative methodology, with an independent variable and random groups. Results showed that in 3-on-3 game mode, a significantly higher number of possessions and 1-on-1 situations were produced as well as more efficient at the end of possessions than in the 4-on-4 game mode (p < .05). Furthermore, weighted average (weighted by the number of players who play for each team) of players ́s contacts with the ball and players involved in each possession suggested a greater participation in the 3-on-3 game mode. According to these results, it was concluded that the 3-on-3 game mode is more formative and adapted to the features of minibasket players in Benjamin category.