Antonio José Silva-Pinto

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.

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: Men’s Olympic boxing follows a regulatory temporal structure, but previous studies have shown that this structure varies during competitions. However, these investigations have not thoroughly analyzed the differences in bout development according to weight category. Additionally, most studies have focused on a limited number of categories, leaving gaps in the temporal analysis of various categories. Aim: To determine the temporal structure in the featherweight, lightweight, welterweight, light heavyweight, and heavyweight categories of men’s Olympic boxing, in order to establish models that can help adjust training to meet competitive demands. Methods: An observational approach was used, analyzing 73 bouts involving 80 boxers who competed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. Results: Most bouts ended after the completion of the full regulation time across all categories. The most common actions were short punching sequences (two to five punches), occurring mainly in the center of the ring. Differences between weight categories were minimal, with the welterweight category showing the most variability. Conclusion: This study presents temporal models that will help coaches and boxers adjust their training with greater precision, improving the efficiency of training sessions according to competitive objectives.

In Para-judo, the technical actions and tactical situations suitable for scoring in a combat have not been studied. The aim of this research was to determine the technical–tactical patterns of scoring actions in Para-judo, focusing on weight categories. An observational methodology was employed to conduct this study. The sample consisted of all male judokas with visual impairment (n = 172) in the senior category who participated in the World Championships held in Odivelas in 2018. A total of 232 combats and 313 scoring actions were analyzed. To obtain the results, we used different analytical techniques with SPSS: descriptive analysis, chi-square test, and T-pattern analysis. The significance level used was p < 0.05. Key findings show that the majority of scoring actions occurred in the first two minutes of combat, highlighting the importance of early initiative. Techniques such as ashi-waza, te-waza, and sutemi-waza demonstrated particular effectiveness across categories, with a focus on movements like sumi-otoshi, ouchi-gari, and ko-soto-gake. Moreover, the most common grip—lapel-sleeve—proved advantageous, aiding judokas in controlling the bout and achieving scores, especially when coupled with effective transition techniques. The study’s weight-specific analysis further revealed distinct patterns, emphasizing the importance of tailored training approaches. For instance, lighter judokas benefited from countering leg attacks with arm or sacrifice techniques to score waza-ari, while heavier judokas favored leg-to-leg counterattacks, often achieving ippon. The results suggest that judokas and coaches could benefit from a more systematic focus on grip stability, strategic positional work, and transition efficiency, particularly from standing to ground. This research contributes valuable insights into optimal techniques and strategies for visually impaired judokas, providing clear guidelines for training and competition.

Background: Pickleball is an exponentially growing sport with a lack of notation-based studies. Consequently, this research aimed to conduct a match analysis in men’s singles to enhance the understanding of the game and optimize training practices. Methods: Using observational methodology, a total of 1145 points were analyzed from the semifinal and final rounds of five Professional Pickleball Association Tour tournaments. Data were recorded with LINCE PLUS V.2.1.0 software using the OI-PICKLEBALL-S23 observational instrument. Descriptive statistical analyses were conducted with IBM-SPSS version 25.0, and gameplay patterns were detected using Theme 6.0 Edu. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: The data indicated that service faults at the start of the game were minimal (2.4%). The server won fewer points than the returner in the overall set of analyzed points (46.6%). Most points were concluded in short rallies (1–4 shots; 43%) or medium-length rallies (5–8 shots; 44%), with the final shot predominantly occurring from striking zone 2, the area closest to the non-volley line (50.7%). Ground strokes (55.1%) and volleys (38.4%) were the most common final shots. Conclusions: The insights gained from this study can benefit high-performance players and coaches and provide a foundation for future notation-based research in pickleball.

(1) Background: The analysis of women’s tennis performance has not been extensively explored by the scientific community, necessitating further research to understand the tactical actions occurring in matches. This research aimed to examine the chance of winning a point in professional women’s tennis based on the key variables that influence performance in the sport. (2) Methods: Data from 3239 points were examined across three distinct court surfaces, sourced from the final rounds (starting with the quarterfinals) of three Grand Slam tournaments in the 2021 season. An observational methodology was employed, using various analysis techniques: descriptive and chi-square analyses, with a significance level of p < 0.05. (3) Results: The probability of winning a point on the first serve was 61% on clay, 70% on grass, and 69% on hard courts. For second serves, the probability of winning the point varied between 55% and 57%, depending on the court surface. Additionally, the majority of points, ranging from 70% to 71%, concluded with short rallies, involving one to four shots. On clay courts, the server won up to 65% of points with a first serve and a short rally, while the success rate increased to 75% on both grass and hard courts. For medium-length rallies (5–8 shots), the probability of winning the point dropped to 55–57%. The point outcome (winner, forced error, and unforced error) varied according to court surface, serve type, and rally length. (4) Conclusions: Descriptive data from this research on the probability of winning a point could assist coaches and players in developing match strategies.

Background—The number of studies on padel has grown significantly in recent years, reflecting the growing importance of the sport. However, more research is still needed on a comprehensive analysis of performance indicators. This study had a double objective: on the one hand, to analyze the probability of winning a point as a function of several variables and, on the other hand, to develop a match analysis. Methods—A total of 980 points from the Menorca 2020 World Padel Tour Master Final Men’s category were examined using observational methodology. The participants were the eight pairs who competed in the final rounds of the tournament. To obtain the results, various analytical techniques were used, such as descriptive analysis and the chi-square test, with a significance level of p < 0.05. Results—The results indicated that most points were initiated on the first serve (88.5%) and were most often won by the serving pair (59.3%). Short rallies predominated (42.2%), with the serving pair most likely to win the point (71%). As the rally became longer, the probability of winning the point decreased, reaching 57% for medium rallies and 47% for long rallies. Almost half of the points were completed in less than 10 s, with an average point duration of 15 s. Most points were finished from the middle area and near the net (41.4% and 36%, respectively), mainly by smashes (25.9%) or volleys (28.9%), with the cross-court trajectory being the most effective. Conclusions—Short rallies (0–6 shots) were the most common, with an average point duration of approximately 15 s. Most points ended with a shot from the middle of the court, using a volley or a smash with a cross-court trajectory. There is a clear relationship between proximity to the net on the final shot and an increased probability of winning the point.