PhD A.V. Losev¹
PhD, Associate Professor V.Y. Losev^1
1Surgut State University, Surgut

Corresponding author: peshkova_ffk@mail.ru

Abstract

Objective of the study was to analyze benefits of special practice target for the overhand/ underhand setting skills training by non-setter players.

Methods and structure of the study. We sampled for the study the 21.3±4.7 year-old 187±9.7cm tall volleyball players (n=20) with the 5-plus-year experiences trained 3-plus times a week including 3 liberos, 6 central blockers, 7 side players and 4 diagonal players. The sample was randomly grouped into a visual feedback group (EG-1) and verbal feedback group (EG-2) tested virtually the same (with statistically insignificant differences) by the pre-experimental tests. During the eight-week experiment, the groups were trained three times a week. The EG-1 trainings were assisted by visual feedback with practice targets; and the EG-2 trainings included verbal/ instructive feedback from the coach. The group progress in overhand/ underhand setting skills was rated on the following scale

Results and conclusion. The pre- versus post-experimental underhand set test data analysis showed significant (p <0.05) benefits of the practice-target-assisted feedback training versus the verbal/ instructive feedback procedure. It should be mentioned, however, that the latter also ensured statistically significant (p <0.05) progress in game techniques.  The study found the practice-target-assisted training system being beneficial for the setting skills training in volleyball as verified by the pre- versus post-experimental setting accuracy tests. Further practice-target-assisted trainings and studies are recommended giving a special priority to the setting skills training by non-setter players and attack success tests and analyses for combinations with sets from non-setters in trainings and competitions.

Keywords: volleyball, exercise machines, training session.

Background. Modern volleyball sport community applies a wide variety of exercise machines and practice targets in training systems to improve physical fitness and excel the passing, setting and attacking skills [2, 4, 5]. Some special practice targets / exercise machines are used to train visual control and feedbacks ranked among the key skills by every modern team sport. Basically, feedback may be interpreted as the pre- and post-game-action data flow processing analyzing capacity. As demonstrated by D.A. Vladimirov, the game-specific customizable feedback facilitates progress in game techniques [3]. Individual sensory-perceptual system may be described as the internal component of the feedback that assesses the game techniques; whilst the outside data flow is an additional feedback channel complementing the internal feedback data flow [1, 6]. Coaches normally strive to excel and expand the feedback systems to help every trainee correct technical errors and excel the motor skills to perfection for success in trainings and competitions.

Objective of the study was to analyze benefits of special practice target for the overhand/ underhand setting skills training by non-setter players.

Methods and structure of the study. We sampled for the study the 21.3±4.7 year-old 187±9.7cm tall volleyball players (n=20) with the 5-plus-year experiences trained 3-plus times a week including 3 liberos, 6 central blockers, 7 side players and 4 diagonal players. The sample was randomly grouped into a visual feedback group (EG-1) and verbal feedback group (EG-2) tested virtually the same (with statistically insignificant differences) by the pre-experimental tests. During the eight-week experiment, the groups were trained three times a week. The EG-1 trainings were assisted by visual feedback with practice targets; and the EG-2 trainings included verbal/ instructive feedback from the coach. The group progresses in overhand/ underhand setting skills were rated on the following scale: see Table 1.

Table 1. Setting skills rating scale

The set progress test was designed as follows: the coach threw the ball to Zone 6 for pass; and the setter moved from Zone 5 for the pass to Zone 2 and from Zone 1 for the pass to Zone 4. The sets were targeted to the practice targets fixed 3m high and 0.5 far from the net in the above zones. The movable circular practice targets were 1m in diameter with 0.5m internal circle. Every successful set on target to the internal and external circle was scored by 10 and 5 points, respectively. The players were given 10 overhand and 10 underhand attempts to set in every zone (Zones 2 and 4) with the tests video-captured and scored as described in Table 1. The individual scores of the 10 sets were summarized and classified by the zones and overhand / underhand styles.

Results and discussion. Table 2 gives the pre- versus post-experimental underhand set test data.

Table 2. Pre- versus post-experimental underhand set test data, group scores

The pre- versus post-experimental underhand set test data analysis showed significant (p <0.05) benefits of the practice-target-assisted feedback training versus the verbal/ instructive feedback procedure. It should be mentioned, however, that the latter also ensured a statistically significant (p <0.05) progress in game techniques. Table 3 hereunder gives the pre- versus post-experimental overhand set test data.

Table 3. Pre- versus post-experimental overhand set test data, group scores

Table 4. Post-experimental overhand versus underhand set success rates: group scores

We should also mention that the group pre- versus post-experimental overhand sets to Zone 4 were significantly (p <0.05) more accurate than the ones to Zone 2, whilst both of the groups made progress in the sets for the experimental period. The accuracy gap in the underhand sets to both zones were not that wide (versus the overhand sets) both in the pre- and post-experimental tests. This finding may be explained by the players being trained to set to Zone 4 to the attacker when the setter fails to make an accurate overhand set or makes the first (serve reception) contact – and, hence, it is habitual for them to make resort to this game element automatically.

It should be also noted that libero players were much more accurate in sets to Zone 2 than Zone 4. We believe it may be due to the fact that they normally play in Zone 5 and make sets, when required, mostly to Zone 2 both in trainings and competitions. The sample, however, was non-representative of the libero game role (n=3 only) and, therefore, the finding cannot be considered significant in fact.

Conclusion. The study found the practice-target-assisted training system being beneficial for the setting skills training in volleyball as verified by the pre- versus post-experimental setting accuracy tests. Further practice-target-assisted trainings and studies are recommended giving a special priority to the setting skills training by non-setter players and attack success tests and analyses for combinations with sets from non-setters in trainings and competitions.

References

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