Relationship Between Talent Identification and Change of Direction in Young Basketball Players

• Main Authors: Arturo Quílez-Maimon (Author), Jesus Siquier-Coll (Author), Carlos Arrondo Nadal (Author), Filipe Manuel Clemente (Author), Francisco Tomás González-Fernandez (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: OVS LLC, 2023-02-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 10.17309/tmfv.2023.1.19; 1993-7989; 1993-7997
• Keywords: COD; basketball; talent identification; multidisciplinary approach; Sports; GV557-1198.995
• Source: Physical Education Theory and Methodology, Vol 23, Iss 1 (2023)

Study purpose. Regarding Talent identification (TID) programs, which are an integral part of the selection process for elite-level athletes, the authors detected a lack of evidence, as surprisingly little research has been conducted to elucidate the effects of Change of Direction (COD) test performance on TID in basketball. This study aimed to: i) analyze the anthropometrical measures, performance variables of COD and talents values of each basketball player, ii) conduct through a COD test, a talent identification procedure in basketball, and iii) run a correlation analysis to try to explain the relationship between COD test and basketball talent through either offensive and defensive skills. Materials and methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted on nineteen youth basketball players (age = 15.68 ± 1.20 years; height = 188.84 ± 5.81 cm, and weight = of 75.74 ± 8.37 kg) with at least 3 years of experience. To assess the overall performance of the selected players, a questionnaire regarding either offense or defense variable was used. In addition, players were required to perform V-Cut, 5-0-5 and Illinois Dribbling tests. Single beam photocells (Chronojump Boscosystem) were used and 3D motion capture system with a video camera set at 210 Hz (CASIO EX-ZR800) recorded the entire action. Results. Findings point out that the players' COD test result correlates positively [505 test (Contact time, r = 0.62, p = 0.004 and COD deficit, r = 0.55, p = 0.01) and Illinois Dribbling test [velocity (r = 0.45, p = 0.04)] with offensive skills whilst it correlates negatively [Illinois Dribbling test (r = -0.46, p = 0.04)] with defensive skills. Conclusions. This study highlights the importance to perform a multidisciplinary approach considering either the coaches' assessment and players' COD performance to provide relevant information for TID.