Characterization of the Dig in Male Volleyball, in Different Formative Stages, in Sets Won and Lost

Abstract

The aim of the research was to characterize the dig in volleyball in the Spanish Championship, in three categories of game, in sets with different results. The study sample consisted of a total of 1259 dig actions, carried out by the four best classified teams in the Spanish Championships of male volleyball clubs of 2018, of U-14 category (391 actions), U-16 (394 actions) and U-19 (474 actions). The study variables included: game variables (player that intervened in dig, technique, zone, and dig efficacy), cognitive variables (decision making), and situational variables (set result). In won sets (in category U-14, U-16 and U-19), the results showed that the most frequent was: the defense was carried out by other player in back court, the front forearm technique, and the defense in the line of six. However, in sets won, the most frequent dig efficacy varies in each category (U-14 positive; U-16 and U-19 negative) as well as decision making (good in U-14 and U-19, bad in U-16). In lost sets, the most frequent in the three categories was: the defense of other player in back court, the front forearm technique. However, in lost sets, we find variations in each category, in the most frequent dig zone (U-14 in line six, U-16 in line five, U-19 in line one), the most frequent dig efficacy (U-14 and U-16 negative, U-19 error), and the most frequent decision making (bad in U-14 and U-16, good in U-19).