Determining differences between junior players in particular positions in the basketball game and based on indicators of situational efficacy

Abstract

The basic goal of this research was to determine the differences between junior players playing particular positions in the basketball game based on the indicators of situational efficacy. The sample of examinees consisted of 108 top-level junior basketball players who in average played a minimum of 8 minutes per game and in more than 3 games, and were chosen from 11 teams that played 46 games in the Junior European Championship in Zadar in year 2000. The results show discrepancies in the space of situational efficacy amongst 5 player positions, as follows: players who play the point guard and the shooting guard are dominant in variables SHOT3-SU, SHOT3-UN, ASSIST, ST and TO. The players who play the position of forward are dominant in variables SHOT2-SU and SHOT2-UN, especially in relation to the power forward and point guard and the shooting guard. Furthermore, the players who play centers can best be distinguished from those playing other positions in variables: DR, OR, BL, SHOT2- SU i PF. We suggest that further research also includes nonstandard parameters of situational efficacy when analyzing differences between elite junior and senior players who play different positions in the game.