Effect of age group on male volleyball players’ technical-tactical performance profile for the spike

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze male volleyball players’ technical-tactical performance profile of the spike (attack and counterattack) at various age groups and categories. The sample comprised 16,467 spike actions (8,890 attacks and 7,577 counterattacks) performed by 986 players in 299 sets from various categories (U-14, U-16, U-19, national senior, and international senior). A descriptive and correlational inter-and intragroup observational design was used. The variables studied were: category of competition, spike tempo, and spike performance. The results showed a significant increase in the use of fast-tempo attacks (first and second tempos) as well as a significant improvement in the performance of first tempo spikes (both attack and counterattack). An increase in the speed of the game by means of fast attacks is observed at higher age categories, which contributes to higher efficacy. This paper discusses various reasons for the evolution in the spike as well as the effects on the training process in different categories of competition in volleyball.