A comparison between skill and decision-making ability of netball players at club level: pilot study

Abstract

This study explored the differences in technical performance and tactical knowledge
of netball players at different levels of competition in the Western Cape. The players
(N=30) were divided into three groups based on their level of competition (high level
n=5, middle level n=12 and low level n=13). Each player's technical performance
was assessed by four skill tests. A test protocol using slides and video clips of 17
different tactical problems was used to assess tactical knowledge. The results
indicated that the skill tests were able to distinguish between the three groups, with
Group A performing significantly better than Group B (p<0.5). Groups A and B both
performed better than Group C (p<0.01). No differences were found among the
groups for tactical knowledge. Although the test for tactical knowledge may have not
been sufficiently difficult to discriminate differences between the groups, it is also
possible that the tactical knowledge of the players who competed at the highest level
was not more sophisticated than the knowledge of those who competed at the lowest
level. This highlights the importance of coaching to develop tactical knowledge as a
critical feature in any comprehensive sport development plan.

Keywords: Netball; Technical performance; Tactical knowledge; Coaching.

South African Journal for Research in Sport, Physical Education and Recreation Vol. 29 (1) 2007: pp. 29-38