Temporal effects of final action on the performance of the Portuguese men’s volleyball teams

Study aim: The purpose of this study was twofold: (i) to compare total attacks, points in the defense phase and attack efficiency between playing positions; and (ii) to identify the main predictors of overall volleyball teams’ success related to points made during the game.

Material and methods: 282 sets with a total of 33 174 actions and 8 231 points were analyzed. The study included 14 teams participating in the male First Division Portuguese Championship (53 games from the 2016/2017 season and 27 from the first phase of the 2017/2018 season, for a total of 80 matches).

Results: The most important parameters for the overall performance are efficacy of points in defense phase, aces, block points, and attack efficiency. Overall team performance variables statistically significantly predicted the total points of the team, F_16,1091 = 39.375, p < 0.001, R² = 0.366. Considering the comparisons between players’ performances, it was found that the setter had the lowest number of points in the defense phase and total attacks. Opposites had more total attacks and points in the defense phase than the other players (at a small-to-moderate magnitude).

Conclusion: The results revealed the importance of the efficacy of points in the defense phase, namely regarding the service action, block point, and attack efficiency, to improve the possibilities of winning.