Variations in attack patterns and effectiveness between female and male middle players in top-level volleyball

Variations in attack between volleyball middle players of both genders

Resumo

Aim: This study aims to analyze the associations between variables that predict the attack effectiveness of middle players (MPs) in top-level volleyball, recognizing their significant influence on the team's offence under mostly optimal conditions while considering potential gender differences. Methods: Inferential statistics, multinomial logistic regression and multiple correspondence analysis were applied to analyze 843 attacks (508 for women and 335 for men) from the six top-ranked teams in the Men and Women World Championships 2018. Results: The analysis revealed that the two genders vary in some aspects of the game at the top level. Women MPs attack mainly from the area behind the setter, even after a good pass, against a team block but with lower attack effectiveness than men MPs who use to attack mainly in front of the setter, after an accurate pass against a single block. The attack effectiveness for both genders depends highly on the setting quality. Conclusion: In female volleyball, to increase effectiveness libero player is preferable to execute the first touch of the ball and MP to avoid off-speed attacks and to upgrade the effectiveness of spikes to zone 5 of the opponent court, while in male volleyball the existence of three attackers in the front row increases the odds for a winning attack.