Xoana Reguera-López-De-La-Osa

Despite the recent expansion of pickleball, empirical evidence on the technical–tactical demands of men's doubles play remains scarce. This study provides the first integrated analysis of match structure and point-resolution mechanisms in elite men's doubles pickleball. A total of 2344 points from fifteen semifinal and final matches of the 2023 PPA Tour were analysed using observational methodology. All actions were coded with LINCE PLUS, and descriptive and inferential analyses were conducted in SPSS. Variables included rally length, striking zone, finishing zone, and final stroke. A CHAID decision-tree model was used to identify multivariate predictors of point outcome, and THEME 6 Edu was applied to detect recurrent T-patterns. Receiving pairs won 55.5% of rallies, consistent with a limited serve advantage characteristic of men's doubles play. Very long rallies (≥13 shots) were the most frequent (35.2%). Short and medium rallies favoured receivers, whereas long and very long rallies favoured servers. Most decisive shots were executed in zone 2, which acted as the primary operational area for rally control. Groundstrokes were closely associated with unforced errors, while volleys (especially in medium and long rallies) showed greater winning potential. The CHAID model identified rally length as the strongest predictor of point outcome, followed by striking and finishing zones. T-pattern analysis revealed recurrent temporal structures characterised by alternations between deep and mid-court zones and terminal volley actions. Men's doubles pickleball exhibits a distinctive internal logic based on cooperative spatial management, prolonged rallies, and incremental serving consolidation. These insights provide objective references for optimising training design and tactical preparation in doubles play.

This study aimed to analyze the tactical patterns employed by elite U-14 female tennis players during the 2023 Les Petits As tournament, as a case study, focusing on singles matches from the quarterfinals to the final. Using a structured observational methodology and the OBSTENNIS-JUNIOR-S23 instrument, 837 points were coded and analyzed through LINCE PLUS and THEME 6 Edu software. Descriptive results revealed a predominant use of first serves (70%) and a preference for targeting the body zone (43.2%). Short rallies (0–4 shots) were most frequent (38%). Overall, 57% of points ended with a final shot from behind the baseline, and 56% concluded with a forehand. Unforced errors were the leading cause of point conclusions, particularly with balls going beyond the baseline (24.7%). Inferential analyses showed no significant differences between deuce and advantage sides in serve patterns or outcomes. These results suggest that, at U-14, the serve primarily functions as a rally starter rather than a direct-scoring weapon, although placement and early rally control remain influential in shaping point outcomes. Limitations include the narrow sample scope and lack of longitudinal data; future research should expand to diverse contexts and incorporate developmental trajectories. The findings provide practical implications for training while contributing to a more gender-inclusive understanding of tactical development in junior tennis. Practical implications include prioritizing serve placement variability and early point control (serve+1) under competition-like constraints in U-14 girls’ training.

Comparative studies often find conflicting psychological differences between individual and team sports, likely due to mixing sports with different levels of interdependence and structures. To address this issue, this study focused on the same sport, comparing individual rhythmic (IR) and team rhythmic (TR) gymnastics modalities. The study aimed to assess differences in the perceived motivational climate, self-talk, positivity, and precompetitive anxiety between these two groups, and to identify psychological predictors of precompetitive anxiety. Seventy-six senior female gymnasts were divided into IR (n = 41, aged 15.41 ± 2.47 years) and TR (n = 35, aged 15.22 ± 2.59 years) groups. Results showed that TR gymnasts perceived a greater ego-involved climate, indicating higher intra-team rivalry, and used more positive self-talk in training, leading to better confidence and concentration. However, no significant differences in overall positivity were found. IR gymnasts increased their use of positive self-talk from training to competition, whereas TR gymnasts remained consistent. Self-confidence was lower in IR gymnasts, though both groups had similar levels of somatic and cognitive anxiety. While IR gymnasts showed more associations with competitive anxiety, the predictors of anxiety were the same for both groups: negative self-talk during training and positivity. In conclusion, the study highlights the role of positivity and self-talk in managing competitive anxiety, with a focus on controlling team rivalry in TR gymnastics and promoting self-confidence and positive self-talk in IR gymnastics specially during training. The study recommends grouping sports by interdependence and structures to better understand psychological differences between individual and team sports.

This study investigates the tactical patterns and effectiveness of serve strategies in elite U-14 international boys’ tennis. Using an observational methodology, we analyzed 971 points from the quarterfinals to the final of the Les Petits As 2023 tournament, a prestigious event for junior players. Data were collected using the OBSTENNIS-JUNIOR-S23 instrument with the LINCE PLUS recording tool and processed with SPSS 25 and THEME 6 Edu software. The findings reveal that the first serve is significantly more effective than the second serve, particularly in short rallies (0–4 shots), where serves directed to the T-zone achieved the highest success rates. U-14 players did not exhibit a dominant serving pattern compared to professional players, distributing their serves relatively evenly across different target areas. Additionally, most players remained in deep baseline positions rather than stepping forward, limiting their ability to capitalize on serve placement. Tactical inefficiencies were evident in the execution of the serve +1 shot, where errors often extended rallies unnecessarily. These findings highlight the need for targeted training interventions to improve serve placement, forward positioning, and decision-making. Implementing these improvements could facilitate a smoother transition to higher levels of play and optimize performance in junior tennis competitions.

Despite the growing popularity of women’s basketball in recent years, scientific literature on the subject remains significantly less extensive compared to its male counterpart. The main objective of this research was to analyze successful offensive actions and patterns during critical moments in the Women’s EuroLeague. The sample consisted of 377 technical–tactical actions corresponding to plays with score differences of three points or less (one-possession games) in the final minute and overtime periods of the Women’s EuroLeague during the 2021/22 and 2022/23 seasons. This study was based on an observational design, utilizing the LINCE PLUS software together with a customized observation tool. Descriptive statistics and chi-square (χ²) tests were carried out using SPSS version 25, while T-Pattern detection was performed through Theme 5 software. A threshold for statistical significance was established at p < 0.05. The findings indicated that home teams achieved a higher percentage of successful plays compared to visiting teams. Most successful patterns occurred during the final phase of possession (8”–0”), regardless of game location or team result. Additionally, layups, plays involving shots after on-ball screen, and actions following personal fouls demonstrated the highest success rates. The practical implications discussed in this research provide valuable insights for coaches to optimize offensive strategies during high-pressure moments in elite women’s basketball.

In elite basketball, closely contested games are often decided in the last minute, where a single possession can significantly alter the outcome. The objective of this study was to analyze the offensive patterns and effectiveness of successful play sequences executed during the last minute and overtime periods of the 2022–2023 EuroLeague men’s basketball season. Specifically, we examined how offensive strategies varied based on score conditions and team status (winning, losing, or tied) in games with a score difference of three points or fewer, representing a maximum one-possession margin. The sample consisted of 709 technical–tactical actions performed in one-possession games during the last minute and overtime periods of the men’s EuroLeague 2022–2023 season. An observational methodology was employed using the LINCE PLUS software with a purpose-designed observational instrument. Descriptive analyses and chi-square (χ²) tests were conducted using SPSS 25, and T-Pattern analysis was performed with Theme 6 software. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. The results showed that teams leading at the start of the possession executed a higher number of successful actions, primarily through free throws drawn from fouls committed by the opposing team. Additionally, plays involving few or no passes, executed within the first 17 s of possession, and completed by point guards or centers, were associated with higher success rates. While less frequent, fast breaks proved to be more effective than set offenses. Furthermore, the study highlights the role of elite playmakers in late-game situations, as their ability to read defenses and create scoring opportunities plays a crucial role in determining offensive success. The practical implications of this study can assist coaches in optimizing offensive strategies during high-pressure moments in elite men’s basketball by refining late-game decision-making and tactical planning.

Timeouts are a widely supported strategy in the literature, recognized for directly influencing team performance during basketball games. This study aimed to analyze and define the successful patterns of actions after timeouts (ATOs) during critical moments in the 2022/23 EuroLeague season. The sample was drawn from the last two minutes and overtime of 169 games with a final point difference of 10 points or fewer, totaling 365 ATOs. An observational methodology was used, applying the LINCE PLUS software version 2.1.0 and an ad hoc observational instrument. Descriptive analysis and chi-square tests (χ²) were conducted using SPSS 25.0, and T-pattern analysis was performed with Theme 6 software. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Teams in the lead often concluded successful plays through free throws following opponent fouls, while teams trailing behind attempted to close the gap by committing fouls to force free throws in defense and scoring two-point baskets on offense. The findings offer insights into ATOs strategies that can support coaches and technical staff in training and adapting these actions to meet competition demands during critical game moments. These results may assist in enhancing team performance and decision-making under high-stakes conditions.

Background: Pickleball has experienced remarkable growth in recent years, yet studies exploring its specific characteristics are scarce. This investigation provides a detailed notational analysis of women’s singles pickleball, evaluating the technical and tactical performance indicators in the game. Method: An observational methodology was used to analyze all points from five PPA Tour tournaments. The matches were recorded and coded using LINCE PLUS software, version 2.1.0, with a category system designed for this sport. A descriptive analysis was conducted with IBM SPSS version 25.0, and Theme 6.0 Edu software was used to detect gameplay patterns. The statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: The findings indicate that serving players have a slight advantage, winning 55.1% of points. Most of the points were resolved through unforced errors, accounting for 63.7% of the total, primarily from forehand strokes in short rallies and backhand strokes in medium rallies. The most frequent hitting zones for point termination were near the non-volley zone (35.8%) and behind the baseline (38.6%). Conclusions: This study provides a deeper understanding of performance in women’s pickleball, highlighting technical and tactical patterns that offer guidelines for optimizing strategies and techniques in the sport.

Background: School ergonomics is a subject of growing interest for the scientific community due to the health problems that it is associated with in students, mainly asymmetries in the spine due to the use of chairs and desks that are inadequate for their anthropometry. This study aimed to analyze the anthropometric characteristics and asymmetries among fifth- to ninth-grade students in Spain and Portugal, with the goal of obtaining data on the ideal height of seats and desks. Additionally, it evaluated the correspondence in the recommended sizes of chairs and desks according to the parameters of the European Union catalog and examined the suitability of the height as a criterion for the allocation of school furniture. Methods: Different anthropometric variables, including the height, popliteal height, shoulder-to-seat height, and elbow-to-seat height, were measured in a stratified sample of 500 students (mean age = 12.7 years, SD = 1.2) across different grades (fifth grade = 86, sixth grade = 106, seventh grade = 95, eighth grade = 89, ninth grade = 124), genders (males = 256, females = 244), and countries (Spain = 191, Portugal = 309). These measurements were used to calculate the average ideal seat and desk heights based on anthropometric formulas, which were then compared to the current furniture allocation practices. The statistical analyses included t-tests, chi-squared tests, and effect sizes, with adjustments for multiple comparisons. Results: The results revealed significant asymmetries and low correspondence in the allocation of chairs and desks of the same sizes to students, with a match rate ranging between 40% and 70%. Moreover, the correspondence was even lower when using a formula based solely on height, compared to formulas validated with specific anthropometric measures, particularly for desks, where the asymmetries reached 100% in some grades. Conclusion: These findings highlight the need to improve the adaptation of school furniture to optimize student ergonomics and comfort, and they suggest disregarding the height as the primary criterion for furniture allocation. Additionally, assigning a desk size based on the recommended chair size is discouraged.

The growing trend of analyzing all performance factors involved in a game makes identifying offensive patterns a determining factor in improving tactical performance and decision making during a game. The main objective of this research was to analyze the effectiveness and detect successful patterns on offense at critical moments in the men’s EuroBasket 2022 and women’s EuroBasket 2021. The sample was composed of 509 technical–tactical offensive actions obtained from the last 2 min of the final quarters and overtime from the group stage and final round, whose difference in the final score was equal to or less than five points. For this purpose, observational methodology was employed using LINCE PLUS software through an observational instrument designed ad hoc. Descriptive analysis and chi-square (χ2) tests were performed with SPSS 25, and a pattern analysis (T-Patterns) was performed with Theme 5 software. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. The teams that were losing when performing the offense finished a greater number of plays and with greater effectiveness. Fastbreaks seem to be more effective in the closing minutes, a play characterized by a maximum of three passes and by finishing with individual play such as 1 × 1. In turn, actions finished near the hoop by inside players seem to be more effective when the possession is finished before 17 s. The practical implications described in this research will enable coaches to tailor their strategies and training to the critical moments of the game.