Properties of passing patterns in basketball - application of network analysis on player interactions.

Swaagman, M. (Martijn) (2010) Properties of passing patterns in basketball - application of network analysis on player interactions. thesis, Human Movement Sciences.

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Abstract

Notational analysts utilize dynamical systems theory as method to study player behavior with respect to team. Graph theory, like dynamic systems theory is also based on ecological perspectives. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether graph theory can be used to study emergent patterns in interactive ball team sports, specifically basketball. Properties, stability, positional differences and the use of graph variables as performance indicators were investigated. Five basketball matches from the U20 youth team of Gasterra Flames were recorded. Offensive phases (n = 965) were analyzed, from which team interaction (density), player distance (inclusiveness) and player centrality (betweenness) were calculated. Passing patterns of basketball are different from larger natural networks. Both density and inclusiveness remain unstable, while betweenness stabilizes after 10 - 11 quarters at 5% error level of the cumulative mean over 20 quarters. Positional differences in betweenness (H(2) = 31.19, p < .001) and inclusiveness (H(2) = 9 .42, p < . 01) between positions were found. Guards are more central than centers (U = 112, r = -.65) and forwards (U = 409, r = -.40), while centers are less central than forwards (U = 309, r = -.41). Only guards have higher inclusiveness than centers (U = 13532, r = -.14). Furthermore, some indications were found that lower inclusiveness (r = -.27, p < .01) is related amount of scored points. The results demonstrate that graph theory can identify unique features of players in basketball, which could improve sport performance profiles.

Item Type:	Thesis (Thesis)
Supervisor name:	Lemmink, dr. K.A.P.M.
Faculty:	Medical Sciences
Date Deposited:	25 Jun 2020 10:58
Last Modified:	25 Jun 2020 10:58
URI:	https://umcg.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/1872

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