Association between in-game role of the player, decision-making and performance in volleyball

Abstract

The main aim of the research was to determine the association between the in-gamerole and players’ decision-making and performance of game actions in volleyball. A total of 3.262 actions were analyzed (708 serves, 625 receptions, 748 attacks, 710 blocks and 471 defenses), in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s U21 World Championship (Russia, Argentina, China and Brazil) that took place in Mexico in 2015. The variables of the study were: in-game role of the player (setter, opposite, middle attacker, libero, and receiver-attacker), decision-making and performance of the game actions (serve, reception, attack, block and defense). The results showed significant association between: in-game role of the player and decision making of the block, and the in-game role of the player and performance of the serve action. This information could be useful in the training process in volleyball, showing the convenience of improving the decision making of the middle attacker in blocking, and their performance in the serve action.