Tactical Report Match Analysis
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This document analyzes a high school basketball game between Hillsborough High School and East Brunswick High School to quantify the effects of assists on layups in the free-throw lane. The author created a shot chart and notation system to track shot attempts, whether they were assisted or unassisted, and the results. The results showed that Hillsborough scored 69.2% of their two-point field goals from assisted layups and 30.8% from unassisted layups. Based on this game and previous research, the author concludes that Hillsborough should continue focusing on passing the ball into the post to exploit the opponent's defense, as assisted layups were shown to be a key determinant of winning close games.
Tactical Report Match Analysis
- 1. QUANTIFYING THE EFFECTS OF ASSISTS ON LAY-UPS IN THE FREE-THROW LANE (RESTRICTED AREA) IN A HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL GAME Brian VanDongen B.A., West Virginia University, 2012 Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of for the course PEMJ547: Advanced Coaching Techniques Department of Exercise Science and Physical Education Montclair State University December 18, 2013
- 2. 2 Introduction The object of the game of basketball is to score points by shooting a ball into a raised basket at the opponent’s end of the court and to prevent the opponent from doing the same on a team’s own basket. There are many different strategies that teams can employ to score baskets, all of which ultimately result in the goal a shot attempt, either as a lay-up or jump shot. Teams establish plays in order to create open shots (unguarded by the defense). Asking coaches, players, and analysts which statistics are most important to successful team performance and winning basketball games may prove troubling and unsuccessful in gaining a consensus. Arguably, field goal percentage (percentage of successful shot attempts) would be considered an important statistic: having more successful shots than the opponent would likely result in more points scored, therefore, a win. However, every different coach, player, or analyst might provide additional, differing answers, potentially listing a variety of statistics including free-throw percentage, turnover ratio, assists, points in the “paint” (or free- throw lane), and amount of rebounds. The statistics might differ depending on level of play, as well. For example, shot clock differences (24 seconds in the National Basketball Association, 35 seconds in men’s college basketball, and no shot clock in New Jersey high school basketball) may affect which statistics potentially are viewed as essential. Research conducted by Lorenzo, Gomez, Ortega, Ibanez, and Sampaio (2010) identified game-related statistics that contribute to winning teams at the elite youth level. In a review of 122 games at the 2004 and 2005 U-16 European Championships, Lorenzo et al. (2010) found that successful two-point field goals, offensive rebounds, and assists were among key determinants of winning balanced (winning margin of 10 to 29 points) games. In close games (winning margin of equal to or less than nine points), assists were also significant (Lorenzo et al.,
- 3. 3 2010). Coaches commonly refer to the need to take “high-percentage shots,” generally considered shots close to the basket that have a higher probability of being made. Some teams have greater success with jump shooting, while some are better with lay-ups. The purpose of this tactical analysis is to determine whether, in their game against the East Brunswick Bears, the Hillsborough Raiders were more successful at scoring two-point field goals on lay-ups from an assist, from unassisted lay-ups, or from jump shots from inside the three-point arc. Methods The game analyzed in this tactical report was held at Hillsborough High School’s main gymnasium. The varsity basketball teams from Hillsborough High School and East Brunswick High School were the teams competing. Most of the players, at least on Hillsborough, were juniors and seniors in high school. Video of the game was recorded and uploaded to Krossover, a film and advanced statistics study website. This software allows coaches to define each individual play along with a result (successful/unsuccessful lay-up/jump shot, turnover, foul, etc.). The program also can produce a shot chart, but for this analysis, the coach should create their own which will allow for additional statistics and information. To collect appropriate data necessary for the study, the coach should create a shot chart diagram with notation zones (Figure 1) and correlating chart providing information such as assists, type of shot, result, and, if the shot was unsuccessful, if an offensive rebound was secured (Figure 2). An example of the use of these Figure 1 Basketball shot chart with notation zones
- 4. 4 notation tools is provided in the chart and table. Shot attempt one was an unsuccessful jump shot from the elbow zone; Hillsborough rebounded the missed shot and made the subsequent “follow” layup. This notation system was completed for Hillsborough’s offensive possessions and shots. Possessions that resulted in a turnover without a shot attempt were not included in the analysis. A shot attempt would be listed as “assisted” in the chart if a teammate passed the ball to the shooter with an immediate shot attempt. One dribble of the basketball before a shot attempt also counted as an assist. For example, a player who “feeds the post” (passing the ball to a player underneath the basket) is credited with an assist, even if the player receiving the pass dribbles before a shot attempt. A player is not credited with an assist with a pass to a player at the top of the free throw lane, who then “drives to the hoop” (aggressively moves from the foul line to the layup zone). While the strict definition of an assist requires a successful field goal, for the purposes of this study, an assist was also credited if a successful shot would have resulted in an assist. Results The data from the shot chart and corresponding table were compiled and translated into graphs. Figure 3 depicts the amount of successful and unsuccessful assisted layups, unassisted layups, and jump shots. Hillsborough was made 9 assisted layups compared to 2 missed assisted layups, made 4 Shot Attempt Zone Shot Type Assisted? Result Offensive Rebound 1 Left elbow Jump No Miss Yes (shot 2) 2 Lay-up Layup No Make Figure 2 Basketball notation chart with examples from Figure 1 Figure 3 Number of successful and unsuccessful shot types
- 5. 5 unassisted layups and missed 5 unassisted layups, and missed all their two-point jump shots in the game. Figure 4 shows the percentage of successful two-point field goal shot type points in relation to the total amount of points scored from two-point field goals. In their game against East Brunswick, Hillsborough scored 69.2% of their two- point field goals from assisted layups, 30.8% from unassisted layups, and 0.0% from jump shots. Findings Hillsborough won the game by a margin two points. This is classified as a close game by the research of Lorenzo et al. (2010). According to the Lorenzo et al. study (2010), assists are a significant determinant of winning close games. By analyzing the data from this game, points scored from assisted layups are noticeably more than points scored from unassisted layups. During the game, Hillsborough seemed to focus on scoring points from the free throw lane, as there were more shot attempts taken from the layup zone than the jump shooting zone. This speaks to the “high percentage shot” philosophy held by many coaches in all coaching ranks. From this game, it appears that Hillsborough is much more successful at “high percentage shots” when a player finds a teammate in the layup zone and passes the ball to that teammate, rather than attacks the basket on their own. Figure 4 Percentage of two-point field goals by shot type
- 6. 6 Based on the offense run by Hillsborough and the defensive tactics employed by East Brunswick, Hillsborough was able to exploit the East Brunswick defense and pass the ball into the “post” well. When Hillsborough plays teams with similar defensive schemes as East Brunswick, Hillsborough should continue to find opportunities to pass the ball to players in the free throw lane for a layup. In close games, Hillsborough should work for assisted layups, as data in this report and previous research support assists as a key determinant of winning games with a margin of less than 9 points. Future tactical and match analysis can also be done using this type of data for games. The coach can also take data from the opponents and compare these sets.
- 7. 7 References Lorezno, A., Gomez, M. A., Ortega, E., Ibanez, S. J., & Sampaio, J. (2010). Game related statistics which discriminate between winning and losing under-16 male basketball games. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, 9, 664-668.