An analysis of the skills and tactics of wheelchair rugby

Date
2007-03
Authors
Adams, Warren Grant
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to determine what skills and tactics distinguish local level competition from top level competition in wheelchair rugby, through the use of games analysis. Eighteen games were filmed and analysed at three different levels of competition (local club level, regional level and international level). A five-level category set was developed to generate statistics related to successful and unsuccessful performance .. Results revealed that games play at local club and regional level in South Africa were dominated by turnovers and poor ball handling skills. Wheelchair mobility also was a factor in unsuccessful play. Basic tactical play, especially on defense, was also a major cause for concern at these levels. The difference between the South African national team and three other top international teams was not the distribution of reasons for success, but rather the frequency of success rate. South Africa was successful only 45% of the time in their performance of skills while international teams were successful 77% of the time. lt was evident in this study that the standard of play in the local club and regional level in South Africa reflects on their international performance. Ball possession is frequently lost to poor passing and poor wheelchair mobility. Turnovers are more often the result of poor passing by the opponents, rather than good defense. Successful goal inbounds and side inbounds plays are too often the result of poor defense rather than good offensive play. This study demonstrates that games analysis can be a helpful tool in determining the reasons for success and lack of success during wheelchair rugby.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van die studie was om deur middel van die ontleding van rolstoelrugbywedstryde te bepaal watter taktieke en vaardighede in klub- en topvlakkompetisie onderskei kan word. Agtien wedstryde is op drie verskillende kompetisievlakke (klub-, streek- en internasionale vlak) verfilm en ontleed. 'n Vyfvlak kategoriestelsel is ontwerp om die suksesvlak, al dan nie, statisties in al drie kompetisievlakke aan te dui. Die resultate dui dat wedstryde op klub- en streeksvlak deur swak balhantering en verlies van balbesit (turnovers) gekenmerk word. Onvoldoende vaardigheid in rolstoelmobiliteit en tekorkominge in die taktiek van basies verdedigende spel was ook bydraende faktore. Die verskil tussen die Suid-Afrikaanse rolstoelrugbyspan en drie ander top internasionale spanne, was nie soseer verskillende oorsake vir onsuksesvolle spel nie, maar eerder die mate (hoeveelheid) sukses wat behaal is deur vaardige en taktiese spel. Die Suid-Afrikaans span was slegs 45% suksesvol in hul vaardighedsuitvoering, terwyl die internasionale spanne 'n 77% suksessyfer behaal het. Die studie dui verder aan dat die spelstandaarde wat op klub- en streeksvlak gehandhaaf word, neerslag vind in die Suid-Afrikaanse nasionale span. Hier word balbesit dikwels verloor as gevolg van swak aangee en swak rolstoelbeweeglikheid. Die verkryging van balbesit (turnovers) is meer dikwels as gevolg van swakbalhantering (aangee) deur die opponenete as goeie verdediging deur die Suid-Afrikaanse span. Suksesvolle afgooie na die aanteken van 'n doel, asook suksesvolle kant-ingooie, is eerder die resultaat van swak verdediging deur die opponente as goeie aanvallende spel. Die studie bewys dat die verfilming en ontleding van wedstryde, 'n waardevolle hulpmiddel kan wees vir bepaling van redes vir sukses, aldan nie, in rolstoelrugby.
Description
Thesis (MScSportSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2007.
Keywords
Wheelchair rugby, Dissertations -- Sport science, Theses -- Sport science
Citation