Evolution of attack in handball when playing 7 vs. 6 with empty goal between 2020 and 2023: coaches' perception vs. observational results.

Introduction: Recently, several studies on the 7 vs. 6 "empty goal" (EG) in handball have produced different and even contradictory results. The aim of the present study was to investigate the behavior of teams and players in the 7 vs. 6 EG attack in the European (Euro) and World Championships (WCh) between 2020 and 2023 and characterize the coaches' perceptions. Methods: A mixed-methods approach was used, consisting of the following: (i) an observational methodology and instrument developed and validated to collect observational data on player and team behavior; and (ii) a developed and validated questionnaire to coaches on their perceptions of the 7 vs. 6 game. Observational data were collected during the Euro 2020 and 2022 games (n = 62) and the WCh 2021 and 2023 games (n = 70). A total of 132 games and 391 situations of 7 vs. 6 attacking sequences were observed. In total, 156 coaches participated (146 men), with a mean age 42.33 ± 11.87 years, 19 nationalities, and with 12.77 ± 9.45 years of experience. Results and discussion: The choice of 7 vs. 6 offensive play was mostly made in the second half (>73%). The effectiveness of 7 vs. 6 offensive sequences was higher in the top six teams than in the team's ranked 7th to 12th (Euro 2020 51.6%-50.0%; WCh 2021 52.0%-50.0%; Euro 2022 53.1%-41.7%; WCh 2023 50.0%-43.8%). Some patterns of association were found (p < 0.05 and with values >±1.96): (i) scoring a goal with a breakthrough shot was significantly associated with the effectiveness of the 7 vs. 6 attack (Euro 2020 2.61; WCh 2021 2.87; Euro 2022 2.68; WCh 2023 2.32); (ii) teams in the top six significantly used 7 vs. 6 when they were winning (Euro 2020 2.17; WCh 2021 3.52; Euro 2022 5.88; WCh 2023 2.54); and (iii) teams in the bottom six used it when they were losing by at least four goals (Euro 2020 7.56; Euro 2022 6.64; WCh 2023 4.37) or when they were winning by four goals or more (WCh 2021 2.58). Coaches that agree with the possibility of playing 7 vs. 6 (74.4%), rarely or never do so (55.6%) because it brings little or no advantage (52.6%). The results of the analysis confirmed the perception of the coaches, the low use of 7 vs. 6, the low advantage associated with it, and the influence of the result and the moment of the game on its use.

Playing 7 vs. 6 with an empty goal: Is it really an option for coaches? A comparative analysis between Portugal and the other teams during the Men's European Handball Championship 2020.

The dynamic of changes in the rules in team games materialize from research and debate between experts and coaches before being implemented by the International Federations. In Handball, the last changes occurred in 2016, and one of them was to substitute the goalkeeper with an additional field player allowing teams to play "empty goal" while using the additional field player. This study aimed to analyze and characterize the use of the 7 vs. 6 strategical-tactical option for the attack in the 2020 Men's European Championship. We also analyzed whether the game time and partial score influenced the use of 7 vs. 6 and its efficiency. Observational methodology and a mixed ad hoc instrument combining field format and category systems validated by experts were used. Data were taken from 28 matches involving teams in the first 12 positions in the 2020 Men's European Championship. The total number of offensive sequences in an organized attack method in 7 vs. 6 with an empty goal (n = 123) were analyzed. Sequential analysis techniques with lags, prospective and retrospective, and polar coordinate analysis were used. The results showed that (a) these solutions had poor efficiency, except for the Portuguese National Team; (b) teams using the 7 vs. 6 tactic option had no negative consequences or increased risk with the opponent response; (c) partial score influenced the decision to use 7 vs. 6 strategic option, and (d) game time was associated with 7 vs. 6 play options and detected patterns.

Analysis of the Influence of the Numerical Relation in Handball During an Organized Attack, Specifically the Tactical Behavior of the Center Back.

In the last decades, observational methodology has been widely used in scientific research in sport, namely in the study of team games like handball, due to its characteristics. Handball, in addition to being a collective, complex, dynamic, and interactive sport, has its own characteristics and demands a performance analysis that takes into account the context and interaction between different factors and variables. The present study analyzes how the different numerical relations in an attack can change the center back's patterns of tactical behavior. Observational methodology and a mixed ad hoc instrument combining field format and category systems appropriately validated by experts were used. Data were taken from 20 matches involving teams classified in the first four places in the 2017 Men's World Championship. These were recorded from TV broadcasts, and the total number of offensive sequences carried out in an organized attack game method (n = 990) was analyzed. In each of the sequences carried out in an organized attack, the numerical relation in attack or defense was observed and recorded. In addition to this, it was verified whether the attacking team maintained or replaced the goalkeeper by a field player in the attack. Both sequential analysis techniques with lags, prospective, and retrospective, as well as polar coordinate analysis, were used. Results have shown that there are different behavioral patterns of the center back in the three different situations of numerical relation. Another element that stood out was that in numerical equality with the defense and no goalkeeper at the goal, the center back opted for greater security and less risk of loss of the ball.

Análisis de las situaciones de juego 2vs2 en el campeonato europeo masculino de balonmano 2012: Aplicación de la técnica de coordenadas polares / Analysis of 2vs2 situations in men’s european handball championship 2012: Application of polar coordinates technique

Se analizan los patrones de juego en ataque en situaciones 2vs2, en igualdad 6vs6, ocurridos en los partidos de la fase final del Campeonato Europeo Masculino de Balonmano 2012. Se utilizan los partidos televisados para analizar los patrones de juego en ataque en situaciones 2vs2 que se produjeron durante los partidos observados. Para ello, se utiliza como instrumento un formato de campo combinado con sistema de categorías, se emplea 16 partidos con un total de 1208 ataques y 390 situaciones de juego 2vs2. Se utiliza la técnica de análisis de coordenadas polares, utilizando el software Hoisan, el cual permite analizar las interrelaciones entre las distintas categorías que componen el sistema de observación. Los resultados muestran que existe probabilidad significativa de: 1) 'Fijar' inhibe la 'Falta de Atacante'; 'Fijar/Desmarcar' activa la 'Falta de Atacante' e inhibe 'Falta Técnica' y la 'Continuidad del Juego', pero es activada por la 'Continuidad del Juego'; 2) 'Bloqueo' activa 'Gol' y 'Falta de Atacante' inhibe 'Lanzamiento 7 metros'; 'Bloqueo con Continuidad' inhibe 'Lanzamiento 7 metros' y 'Parada de Portero' pero es activado por la 'Parada de Portero'; 3) 'Cruce con Finalización' activa 'Lanzamiento 7 metros' y 'Continuidad del Juego,' inhibe la 'Falta de Atacante'. Activa también 'Parada de Portero' y está inhibida por la misma; 4) 'Cruce con Continuidad' inhibe 'Lanzamiento Fuera' pero activa 'Lanzamiento contra el Poste/Travesaño' siendo inhibidas por este. Los resultados muestran que el uso de 2vs2 puede influir en la eficacia del ataque, lo que es un indicativo claro para los entrenadores por la necesidad de practicar estas situaciones. También refuerzan la idea de la importancia del Pivote en estas situaciones de 2vs2, debiendo tenerse en cuenta en el entrenamiento (AU)

Broadcast footage of Men’s European Handball Championship 2012 were used to analyze attacking patterns of play in the 2vs2 game situations that occurred during matches from final phase. An ad hoc instrument, field format combined with categories system, was used to gather data from 16 matches, which yielded 1208 attacks and 390 2vs2 game situations. Polar coordinates analysis was carried out by means of Hoisan software that enables us to analyze the interrelations between the different categories of the observation tool. The results show that is significant the probability of: 1) 'Fix' inhibits 'Attack Fault'; 'Fix/Uncheck' activates 'Attack Fault' and inhibits 'Technical Fault' and 'Continuity of Play' but is activated by the 'Continuity of Play'; 2) 'Lock' activate 'Goal' and 'Attack Fault' and inhibits '7 meters'; 'Lock with Continuity' inhibits '7 meters' and 'Goalkeeper Save' but is activated by him; 3) 'Cross with Shot' activate '7 meters' and 'Continuity of Play', inhibits 'Attack Fault'. Also activate 'Goalkeeper Save' and is inhibited by this action; 4) 'Cross with Continuity' inhibits 'Shot out' but active 'Shot against the Post' and is inhibited by him. The results show that the use of 2vs2 can influence the effectiveness of the attack, giving a clear indication to the coaches for the need to train these situations. Also reinforce the idea of the importance of the Pivot in these situations of 2vs2, which must be taken into account in training (AU)

Analisou-se os padrões de jogo no ataque ocorridos nas situações de 2vs2, em igualdade 6vs6, durante os jogos da fase final do Campeonato Europeu Masculino de Andebol 2012, recolhidos a partir de jogos televisionados. Um instrumento ad hoc, formato de campo com sistemas de categorias, foi utilizado para recolher os dados de 16 jogos, num total de 1208 ataques e 390 situações de jogo 2vs2. Recorreu-se à técnica de análise de coordenadas polares, utilizando o software Hoisan, que nos permitiu analisar as interrelações entre as diferentes categorias componentes do instrumento de observação. Os resultados mostram que é significativa a probabilidade: 1)'Fixar' inibir a 'Falta Atacante'; 'Fixar/Desmarcar' ativar a 'Falta Atacante' e inibir a 'Falta Técnica' e 'Continuidade de Jogo' mas ser ativada pela 'Continuidade do Jogo'; 2) «Bloqueio» ativar 'Golo' e 'Falta Atacante' inibindo '7 metros'; 'Bloqueio com Continuidade' inibir '7 metros' e 'Defesa do Guarda-redes' mas ser ativado pela 'Defesa do Guarda-redes'; 3) «Cruzamento com Finalização» ativar '7 metros' e 'Continuidade do jogo' e inibir 'Falta Atacante'. Ativa também a 'Defesa do Guarda-redes' sendo inibido por esta; 4) «Cruzamento com Continuidade» inibe 'Remate para Fora' mas ativa 'Remate contra Poste/Trave' sendo inibido por este. Os resultados revelam que a utilização do 2vs2 pode influenciar a eficácia do ataque, dando uma indicação clara aos treinadores para a necessidade de treinar estas situações.. Reforçam também a ideia da importância do Pivot nestas situações de 2vs2, o que deve ser tido em conta no treino (AU)