The Level of Psychomotor Abilities as a Factor Differentiating Handball Goalkeepers’ Actions in Saves from the Wing Position

Abstract

Abstract Introduction. The aim of the study was to determine whether the level of psychomotor skills differentiates the actions of hand-ball goalkeepers in the situation of throws from the wing position. Material and methods. The research material was a video recording of goalkeepers’ saves during throws from wing positions. The research covered 11 goalkeepers who play in PGNiG Men’s Superleague (Poland). Psychomotor skills tests were conducted based on the Vienna Test System. The RT test version S.1 was used to measure simple reaction time, while the RT test version S.3 was used to measure choice reaction time. The ZBA test version S.3 in the linear form was used to measure time-space anticipation. The analysis of saves was carried out according to Norkowski’s concept. Results. We showed a difference in the number of throws after reducing the defensive area between the goalkeepers with higher and lower reaction time values. A high correlation was found rs = 0.62 p < 0.05 between reaction time (RT) and saves after reducing the defensive area with a step out/dive. There is a strong relationship between DT motor time and saves after reducing the defensive area with a step out/dive rs = 0.74, p < 0.05. There is a high correlation between a fast-paced save after a delay and time anticipation rs = 0.64, p < 0.05. Conclusions. The level of psychomotor abilities is a factor that differentiates handball goalkeepers’ actions in saves from the wing position. The level of psychomotor skills and the actions of handball goalkeepers are interconnected.