RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MOVEMENT PATTERNS PERFORMED IN MATCH PLAY AND IN TRAINING BY SKILLED NETBALL PLAYERS

The purpose of the study was to quantify movement patterns demonstrated by skilled netball players to determine: 1) if training drills were tailored to the demands of individual playing positions; and 2) if demands of training games were similar to match play. Players from three NSW State League Netball teams and from one Illawarra Academy of Sport team were selected as subjects. The movement patterns demonstrated by each team were assessed during one competition match per team and during two team training sessions. Two video cameras were used to film each subject's movement patterns throughout match play and training. The movement patterns were then replayed and coded directly onto microcomputer as a function of real time using a specifically designed "Time Motion Analysis" programme. The number of repetitions per activity, the average time per activity, the total time spent performing each activity, and the relative contribution of each activity to the total time available in match play, in training drills, and in training games, expressed as the percentage of total match or training time, were calculated. A two-way ANOVA was applied to determine if there were any significant differences in movement patterns demonstrated in relation to playing position during both training and match play. Paired t-tests were also conducted to establish if there were any significant differences in movement patterns demonstrated between training drills and match play, and between training games and match play. Analysis of movement patterns demonstrated during match play revealed numerous significant differences among playing positions. However, comparisons between the training sessions and match play indicated the training drills observed did not adequately cater for the demands of the different positions. Training games, on the other hand, were shown to simulate the demands of match play, replicating the average time per activity and the percentage of time allocated to each activity. However, differences arose between match play and training games as a result the level of opposition and the position a player adopted. It was concluded training drills observed required modification to more adequately reflect the needs of individual playing positions. Furthermore, for training games to simulate the demands of match play, opponents in a training game must reflect the standard and playing style of potential match play opponents with players remaining in positions similar to those expected to be adopted in competition so they can replicate movement patterns demanded of them.