Effects of technique, age and player’s role on serve and attack efficacy in high level beach volleyball players

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The aim of the present study was to assess effects of technique of execution, age and player’s role on serve and attack efficacy. A total of 1.100 serves and 1.165 attacks from under-19, 927 serves and 1.015 attacks from under-21, and 1.564 serves and 1.854 attacks from senior were assessed through video match analysis. Techniques considered for serve were standing serve (SS), jump serve (JS) and float jump serve (FJS); and for attacks were spike and shot. All players were analysed according to their role (defenders or blockers). Results showed that defenders in under-19 and under-21 had better efficacy using SS and FJS, while in senior category the best efficacy was obtained through JS and FJS. Blockers had better efficacy using SS and FJS in all categories. The attack efficacy seems to be independent of player role, although it is related to technique and age. While in senior category attack efficacy was similar using spike and shot, in younger categories it was slightly higher when using spike. This study suggests that serve and attack present different efficacy profiles when considered the technique of execution, player role and age, and therefore it should be considered when planning training programs for teams throughout different phases of athlete development.