Inter-player variability in game patterns in high-level women's volleyball: A study with Outside Hitters (Near vs. Away) using Social Network Analysis. [Variabilidad entre jugadores en los patrones de juego en el voleibol femenino de alto nivel: Un estudio con bateadores externos (Cerca versus Lejos) usando Análisis de Redes Sociales].

Abstract

A wide body of research on team sports has focused on positional status based differences, providing information on inter-player variability according to the functional roles within the game. However, research addressing inter-player variability within the same positional/function status is scarce. The present article presents an analysis of inter-player variability within the same positional status during critical moments, in high-level women's volleyball, using Social Network Analysis. Attack actions of the outside hitters near (OHN) and away (OHA) from the setter were analysed in ten matches from the 2019 Volleyball Nations League Finals (268 plays). Two independent Eigenvector Centrality networks were created, one for OHN and another for OHA. Main results: (a) in side-out with ideal setting conditions, the OHA used more tips and exploration of the block than the OHN; under non-ideal setting conditions, the OHN had slower attack tempos than the OHA; (b) OHA used tip and directed attacks after error situations while OHN was typically not requested after error situations; (c) in transition, OHN typically attacked after having performed a previous action, performing a dual task within each ball possession, while OHA only attacked when there was no prior action; (d) there were also inter-positional similarities, with both OHN and OHA preferring a strong attack in ideal conditions during KI and KIV, and slower tempos in transition in non-ideal conditions. Conclusions: Even within the same positional status, there seems to be subtle, but relevant inter-player variability. Consequently, coaches should devote careful attention when assigning players to positional.