Offensive Position Research Articles

Quantification of Accelerometer Derived Impacts Associated With Competitive Games in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I College Football Players.

Wellman, AD, Coad, SC, Goulet, GC, and McLellan, CP. Quantification of accelerometer derived impacts associated with competitive games in National Collegiate Athletic Association division I college football players. J Strength Cond Res 31(2): 330-338, 2017-The aims of the present study were to (a) examine positional impact profiles of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) division I college football players using global positioning system (GPS) and integrated accelerometry (IA) technology and (b) determine if positional differences in impact profiles during competition exist within offensive and defensive teams. Thirty-three NCAA division I Football Bowl Subdivision players were monitored using GPS and IA (GPSports) during 12 regular season games throughout the 2014 season. Individual player data sets (n = 294) were divided into offensive and defensive teams, and positional subgroups. The intensity, number, and distribution of impact forces experienced by players during competition were recorded. Positional differences were found for the distribution of impacts within offensive and defensive teams. Wide receivers sustained more very light and light to moderate (5-6.5 G force) impacts than other position groups, whereas the running backs were involved in more severe (>10 G force) impacts than all offensive position groups, with the exception of the quarterbacks (p ≤ 0.05). The defensive back and linebacker groups were subject to more very light (5.0-6.0 G force) impacts, and the defensive tackle group sustained more heavy and very heavy (7.1-10 G force) impacts than other defensive positions (p ≤ 0.05). Data from the present study provide novel quantification of positional impact profiles related to the physical demands of college football games and highlight the need for position-specific monitoring and training in the preparation for the impact loads experienced during NCAA division I football competition.

Does facial width-to-height ratio predict Japanese professional football players’ athletic performance?

A number of studies have shown that facial width-to-height ratio (fWHR)—the distance between the two zygomatic arches (width) compared with the distance from the top of the lip to the bottom of the eyebrows (height)—is related to aggressive behavior and is reflective of testosterone levels. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between fWHR and the athletic performance of Japanese professional football players. Photographs of 343 Japanese professional football players were measured for fWHR and compared with the number of penalty cards (yellow and red) acquired by players and goals scored in the 2012 season. The results showed that fWHR was not associated with the number of goals scored in any football position. However, the number of penalty cards acquired was associated with fWHR in the forward offensive position. These findings showed that fWHR is not related to goals scored by Japanese football players, but is related to the penalty cards acquired in the offensive domain.

ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIP OF PROTECTIVE REFLECTION OF RATIONALIZATION BY CIRCUMSTANCES OF MOTHER AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING OF CHILD

The article shows the relationship of protective reflection of rationalization by circumstances of mother and psychological well-being of the child. Particular attention is paid to the peculiarities of parent-child relationship, the mother causes the protective reflexes that promote the appearance of certain indicators of psychological distress of the child. The article points out that it is on the extent to which manifested a protective reflex to rationalize the circumstances of mothers with projective character. The scientific novelty of the research is to what extent a manifestation of character accentuations closest to the child rearing adults - mothers, manifested in a protective reflex to rationalize the circumstances and characteristics of parent-child relationships, cause indicators of psychological distress of children. Relevance of the research in the article content is determined by studying the significance of this aspect in connection with the need to create a family and educational institution environment conservation psychological well-being of the child. Baseline confidence in the world, to themselves and people around the child is formed in early childhood with significant adults bringing up and, to a greater extent - the mother. The study has been confirmed the assumption that the psychological disadvantage preschool children, manifested in the form of insecurity, aggression and increased impulsiveness, a substantial originality in the affective, cognitive and behavioral areas. The mechanism that triggers a psychological disadvantage of the child, are not constructive relationship with the child bringing up an adult (in the family - mother), due to safety (pathogenic) reflection. Protective strategies of the Child expressed its cautious and defensive, or aggressive and offensive position, arising in response to the non-constructive attitude towards him adult, contribute to the manifestation of insecurity, aggressiveness, impulsivity, isolation, and other indicators of psychological distress developing the child's personality. These studies have confirmed the dependence of protective reflexes rationalization circumstances of mothers with high and low rates of projective character, the manifestation of them in the parent-child relationship and the impact on the psychological well-being of children.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury.

The G & K O'Connor Lockout (1999) and its Aftermath: A Case Study of a Union Avoidance Campaign in the Australian Meat Processing Industry

The G & K O’Connor lockout of the Australasian Meat Industry Employees’ Union (AMIEU) members in 1999 was an example of a change in employer strategy with the objective of removing the union from its Pakenham abattoir. Chris Briggs’ research on the recurrence of the lockout in Australia sees it as an example of a “big bang lockout” which occurs against the background of legislative changes, a downturn in the meat processing industry, and other factors. This article examines the G & K O’Connor lockout in detail. It identifies legislative change in the form of the introduction of Australian Workplace Agreements (AWAs) under theWorkplace Relations Act 1996in providing the company with the opportunity and legal framework to change its industrial relations strategy and weaken the AMIEU. This upsurge in employer militancy was also associated with use of the Federal Government’s apprentice and traineeship scheme, anti-union consultants, and tactics such as industrial spies and labour espionage. The lockout, which the stakeholders described as a “baseball bat lockout,” and subsequent actions by the employer introduced a “Pinkerton Incorporated” style of culture into Australian industrial relations in which the employer adopted an offensive position against the union using a range of union avoidance tactics.

Competition in the German pharmacy market: an empirical analysis

BackgroundPharmaceutical products are an important component of expenditure on public health insurance in the Federal Republic of Germany. For years, German policy makers have regulated public pharmacies in order to limit the increase in costs. One reform has followed another, main objective being to increase competition in the pharmacy market. It is generally assumed that an increase in competition would reduce healthcare costs. However, there is a lack of empirical proof of a stronger orientation of German public pharmacies towards competition thus far.MethodsThis paper analyses the self-perceptions of owners of German public pharmacies and their orientation towards competition in the pharmacy markets. It is based on a cross-sectional survey (N = 289) and distinguishes between successful and less successful pharmacies, the location of the pharmacies (e.g. West German States and East German States) and the gender of the pharmacy owner. The data are analysed descriptively by survey items and employing bivariate and structural equation modelling.ResultsThe analysis reveals that the majority of owners of public pharmacies in Germany do not currently perceive very strong competitive pressure in the market. However, the innovativeness of the pharmacist is confirmed as most relevant for net revenue development and the profit margin. Some differences occur between regions, e.g. public pharmacies in West Germany have a significantly higher profit margin.ConclusionsThis study provides evidence that the German healthcare reforms aimed at increasing the competition between public pharmacies in Germany have not been completely successful. Many owners of public pharmacies disregard instruments of active customer-orientated management (such as customer loyalty or an offensive position and economies of scale), which could give them a competitive advantage. However, it is clear that those pharmacists who strive for systematic and innovative management and adopt an offensive and competitive stance are quite successful. Thus, pharmacists should change their attitude and develop a more professional business model.

The Domestic Sources of Multilateral Trade Negotiations: Explaining Brazil's Negotiating Position in the Doha Round

Under the Cardoso presidency (1995–2002), Brazil adopted a reactive and defensive posture on trade liberalization. However, when Lula da Silva came into power in 2003, Brazil took a more offensive and proactive position on the issue in creating the G-20 and putting forward proposals of its own. How can this shift in the Brazilian negotiating position be explained? The main argument is that under the Lula da Silva administration, Brazil's position in the Doha round primarily reflected domestic political constraints on multilateral trade cooperation. Three domestic dynamics shaped the national preference for Brazil: a heterogeneous governing coalition with a high number of veto players, divisions within the Workers’ Party, and the demands of interest groups. This explanation is discussed on the basis of Brazil's negotiating position in WTO negotiations from 2003 to 2006.

Cyber Posturing and the Offense-Defense Balance

For some realists, cyber warfare is ‘old wine in new bottles’, with marginal added value. This misses the larger possibilities for political/military chain reactions that cyber warfare may prompt, possibly leading to armed conflict. This article utilizes Offense-Defense theory to appraise the influence of cyber warfare on international security and the prospects for conflict. Offense-Defense theory, as applied here, better explains the relationship between technological innovation and international politics, and leads to different conclusions from other realist approaches. Redefining the Offense-Defense balance to accommodate cyberspace leads to an emphasis on the offensive advantages of cyber capabilities. The offensive and defensive cyber postures of China, Russia, the United States, and NATO are examined here to empirically assess the role of cyber warfare in security policy. Evidence shows that innovations in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) allow states to take greater risks and adopt more vigilant or offensive positions toward adversaries. Cyber capabilities do not cause armed conflict, but make decisions to escalate easier and cheaper. A strategic enabler that provides attackers greater freedom of action, cyber warfare is becoming a necessary condition for the conduct of war, even if it is not a sufficient one.

The study of situation evaluation in SimuroSot decision support systems

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to establish a situation evaluation model of the robot and ball in SimuroSot5vs5 platforms and enhance the strength of the team in a SimuroSot5vs5.Design/methodology/approach – This paper presents a mathematical model based on situation evaluations which can improve the strength of the team in SimuroSot5vs5. The situation evaluation focus on four aspects includes scores of both sides, possession of teams on ground, ball strategy, and treat. The statistical analysis of the score can verify validity and stability of current strategy in confrontation. To evaluate the situation more effectively without blindness, possession on both teams is, respectively, evaluated. Ball strategy analyzes coordinate transformation to the ball on the ground and illustrates the circumstance of both teams on the offensive position accurately in length and breadth. To know the circumstance on the field more completely and synthetically, a threat situation evaluation model is built. An effect...

Body Mass Index, Playing Position, Race, and the Cardiovascular Mortality of Retired Professional Football Players

Concern exists about cardiovascular disease (CVD) in professional football players. We examined whether playing position and size influence CVD mortality in 3,439 National Football League players with ≥ 5 pension-credited playing seasons from 1959 to 1988. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) compared player mortality through 2007 to the United States population of men stratified by age, race, and calendar year. Cox proportional hazards models evaluated associations of playing-time body mass index (BMI), race, and position with CVD mortality. Overall player mortality was significantly decreased (SMR 0.53, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.48 to 0.59) as was mortality from cancer (SMR 0.58, 95% CI 0.46 to 0.72), and CVD (SMR 0.68, 95% CI 0.56 to 0.81). CVD mortality was increased for defensive linemen (SMR 1.42, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.92) but not for offensive linemen (SMR 0.70, 95% CI 0.45 to 1.05). Defensive linemen's cardiomyopathy mortality was also increased (SMR 5.34, 95% CI 2.30 to 10.5). Internal analyses found that CVD mortality was increased for players of nonwhite race (hazard ratio 1.69, 95% CI 1.13 to 2.51). After adjusting for age, race, and calendar year, CVD mortality was increased for those with a playing-time BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 (hazard ratio 2.02, 95% CI 1.06 to 3.85) and for defensive linemen compared to offensive linemen (hazard ratio 2.07, 95% CI 1.24 to 3.46). In conclusion, National Football League players from the 1959 through 1988 seasons had decreased overall mortality but those with a playing-time BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 had 2 times the risk of CVD mortality compared to other players and African-American players and defensive linemen had higher CVD mortality compared to other players even after adjusting for playing-time BMI.

China’s Experience in Dealing with WTO Dispute Settlement: A Chinese Perspective

The year 2009 witnessed the rise of China as one of the major players in World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement since it alone accounted for half of the fourteen new WTO disputes initiated in that year. This paper examines China’s growing involvement in major WTO dispute settlement activities and concludes that China’s participation has been a gradually evolving process. This article explains that China’s defensive and offensive positions are generally balanced and argues that China seems to approach WTO disputes on a case-by-case basis rather than by applying any preset litigation avoidance strategy. When faced with negative rulings, China has so far been quite restrained in its reactions and has generally maintained a good record of compliance, but China’s future behaviour in this regard may not always be as consistently positive. As to overall performance, this paper demonstrates that China’s record has been typical of the bigger WTO Members. Finally, it would be unfair to assess this record only with reference to the global ranking of China’s trade volumes and economic size while ignoring China’s short period of WTO membership and lack of historical experience in international dispute settlement proceedings.

An Analysis Of Playing Positions In Elite International Mens' Volleyball: Considerations For Competition Demands And Physiological Characteristics

The purpose of this study was to investigate the physiological demands, physiological characteristics and jumping ability of different playing positions and in different playing levels of elite male volleyball players. Methods: The first investigation involved an analysis of 16 senior international mens' volleyball matches involving highly ranked national teams. The second investigation involved an analysis of the anthropometric and jump performance characteristics of 142 development national team (DNT, n = 91) and senior national team (SNT, n = 51) international volleyball players comprising the positions of middle (n = 49), setter (n = 22), and outside (n = 71). The players were from 4 different countries, with senior men's national team world rankings of 1, 6, 11, and 16. Results: Mean ( ± SD) frequency of Block Jumps for middles (11.00 ± 3.14) was significantly greater than for setters (6.25 ± 2.87, p < 0.001) and outsides (6.50 ± 3.16, p < 0.001). Attack Jumps were performed more frequently by middles (7.75 ± 1.88) and this was found to be significantly more than setters (0.38 ± 1.06, p < 0.001), and outsides (5.75 ± 3.25, p < 0.01). Middles were taller than outsides and setters (p < 0.001). Consequently, middles had a significantly higher reach and greater body mass than outsides (p < 0.001, p < 0.003) and setters (p < 0.001, p < 0.001). Both middles and outsides had superior counter movement vertical jump (CMVJ) and spike jump (SPJ) scores compared to setters (p < 0.001). Position-specific comparisons between DNT players and SNT players demonstrated that the SNT players were superior in relative CMVJ and SPJ scores (p < 0.05) across all positions, with large magnitude of effect (d > 0.99). Conclusions: The results of this study highlight the large jumping and landing demands placed on the taller and heavier players in the middle position. The results of this study also establish the large magnitude of difference in jumping ability between junior and senior national team players. Practical Applications: In managing player training loads, strength and conditioning coaches and medical staff must carefully consider the very large additional jumping and landing stress that is placed on the taller, heavier middle players, aiming to manage the dose-response relationship to reduce injury potential and increase performance. Talent identification and talent development for aspiring male volleyball players should consider the importance of stature in position-selection, and the importance of vertical jump as a discriminator between higher and lower performers across all offensive positions.

The NFL Combine: Does It Predict Performance in the National Football League?

The authors investigate the correlation between National Football League (NFL) combine test results and NFL success for players drafted at three different offensive positions (quarterback, running back, and wide receiver) during a recent 6-year period, 1999-2004. The combine consists of series of drills, exercises, interviews, aptitude tests, and physical exams designed to assess the skills of promising college football players and to predict their performance in the NFL. Combine measures examined in this study include 10-, 20-, and 40-yard dashes, bench press, vertical jump, broad jump, 20- and 60-yard shuttles, three-cone drill, and the Wonderlic Personnel Test. Performance criteria include 10 variables: draft order; 3 years each of salary received and games played; and position-specific data. Using correlation analysis, we find no consistent statistical relationship between combine tests and professional football performance, with the notable exception of sprint tests for running backs. We put forth possible explanations for the general lack of statistical relations detected, and, consequently, we question the overall usefulness of the combine. We also offer suggestions for improving the prediction of success in the NFL, primarily the use of more rigorous psychological tests and the examination of collegiate performance as a job sample test. Finally, from a practical standpoint, the results of the study should encourage NFL team personnel to reevaluate the usefulness of the combine's physical tests and exercises as predictors of player performance. This study should encourage team personnel to consider the weighting and importance of various combine measures and the potential benefits of overhauling the combine process, with the goal of creating a more valid system for predicting player success.

Bilateral and Regional Free Trade Agreements, and Their Relationship with the WTO and the Doha Development Agenda

The Doha Round differs from previous multilateral rounds since a number of participating countries are negotiating and implementing bilateral and regional free trade agreements (FTAs) at the same time as they are negotiating multilaterally. The standard arguments against FTAs involve that they create trade diversion, are difficult to administrate, involve complex rules of origin that impost added costs on firms, and attract the attention and political capital of policy makers away from the multilateral negotiation. This paper poses other arguments about FTAs being beneficial to the multilateral process. For instance, they have allowed some countries to achieve zero tariffs with all their main trading partners, and therefore a large majority of their trade, and often involve reforms in sensitive issues that, once undertaken, allow governments to assume a more offensive position at the WTO. Most importantly, by creating trade diversion away from countries that act as laggards in all negotiation fronts, they generate the competitive pressure that can move those nations to assume a more constructive position in the multilateral negotiations; also, it may be easier to harmonize existing FTAs than to seek comprehensive plurilateral and multilateral agreements from scratch. Beyond the discussion of whether FTAs help or hinder multilateral progress, the paper discusses changes in the multilateral rules, and best practices in bilateral negotiations, that can help make both fronts better complements. The issues mentioned include guidelines among rules of origin, origin accumulation, harmonization of standing agreements, bilateral trade facilitation and solutions to preference erosion. Alberto Trejos is a Professor at INCAE in Costa Rica. From 1994-1998, he was Dean of INCAE, and General Director of its Latin American Center for Competitiveness and Sustainable Development from 1999-2002. He was a professor in the Economics Department of Northwestern University from 1994-98. He has also been a visiting professor and researcher at the Institut d’Anàlisi Econòmica de Barcelona, the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, Fundaçao Getulio Vargas of Rio de Janeiro, and the University of Texas. As Minister of Foreign Trade of Costa Rica in 2002-04, he was responsible for the negotiation of CAFTA and of the CARICOM-Costa Rica FTA. He was in charge of Costa Rica´s ratification of its FTA with Canada and its entry into the Central American Customs Union. Trejos is a consultant for several companies, governments, and international organizations, President of CINDE (Costa Rican Investment Board), and a board member of several corporations and organizations. He has published extensively in leading journals, and he has been a National Science Foundation grantee and a Fulbright scholar. He received a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania in 1994.

Technology policy paradigms and intellectual property strategies: Three national models

This paper constructs and contrasts mission-oriented and diffusion-oriented policy paradigms for commercial technology and suggests that the U.S. and Japan, respectively, are representative of both. This paper also investigates the new American challenge of intellectual property institution in international competition and concludes that the U.S. and Japan appear to be two successful cases in forming synergistic relationships between technology policy and intellectual property system, the former in an offensive position and the latter in a defensive position. In this new era, the U.S. industry's traditional strength as a “first mover” in generating technology is better appropriated than before, and follower countries mainly relying on technology diffusion and application are in a very disadvantageous position. In the follower group, perhaps Japan is the only exception because its patent system is deliberately in favor of its industry at the expense of foreign inventors and in support of its diffusion-oriented policy. Taiwan's case shows that a Japanese-style government-industry partnership is not easy to form and firms need to formulate their own corporate strategies to cope with the new intellectual property challenge. In all, the U.S., Japan, and Taiwan constitute three models with profound implications for many other countries.

Task Complexity and Affect in Collegiate Football

This research examined difference in affect of athletes performing complex tasks (offensive positions) and those performing relatively simple tasks (defensive positions). As hypothesized, defensive players were more vigorous than offensive players. Differences were also found between positions (linemen, backs, and quarterbacks). Results agreed with previous research on differences in affect between microcycles of training. Specifically, athletes about to perform relatively simple tasks appeared to utilize anger as a preevent motivating strategy. No differences in attentional styles were detected between offensive players and defensive players or among positions in collegiate football.

The Performance of Principals in the Accountability Syndrome

Evaluation of the principal is in great demand in this era of accountability. The author sug gests that principals take an offensive position by developing their own evaluative criteria.

Two and Three-Dimensional Slide Images Used with Tachistoscopic Training Techniques in Instructing High School Football Players in Defenses

Abstract In this study, two and three-dimensional slides were made of eight defensive formations as though viewed from six offensive positions in the line (excepting center) and the quarterback position. Two equated groups were trained tachistoscopically at 1/100 sec. with their respective slide series. The group trained with two-dimensional slides had a higher percentage of correct responses (79.3%). After slide training, when tested at one second on football defensive formations with line players, both groups were able to identify the formations with equal accuracy (approximately 95%).