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Water Polo Offensive Methods after the 2018 FINA Rules Update

Author

Listed:
  • Sofia Canossa

    (Centre of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal)

  • Ricardo J. Fernandes

    (Centre of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
    Porto Biomechanics Laboratory, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal)

  • Luísa Estriga

    (Centre of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal)

  • J. Arturo Abraldes

    (Research Group MS&SPORT, Faculty of Sports Sciences, University of Murcia, 30720 Murcia, Spain)

  • Corrado Lupo

    (Neuro Muscular Function Research Group, Department of Medical Sciences, School of Exercise and Sport Sciences, University of Turin, 10143 Turin, Italy)

  • Júlio M. Garganta

    (Centre of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal)

Abstract

Water polo is a team sport that has been suffering rule changes aiming for a more attractive game. Our goal was to unveil whether different offensive playing styles or methods were adopted by elite national teams from Eastern Europe and from other world countries after the new rules framework was applied at the 2019 FINA World Championship. Additionally, we questioned whether those rules induced a more dynamic game. A total of 648 offensive sequences from games contested by the top-six ranked national squads were analysed. Descriptive statistics, parametric and nonparametric tests were computed, and the effect size was used. The eastern Europeans were the tallest ( t (76) = −4.081; p < 0.001, d = 0.42) and the Hungarians were higher than Italians ( p = 0.005, d z = −0.41). Offensive time length differed between teams ( H (5) = 30.50, p < 0.001) with Serbia being the fastest ( Mdn = 22 s). In successful attacks without extra time, Italy was quicker than Spain (17.5 vs. 25.0 s; p = 0.031, d z = −0.36) scoring 30% of their total goals under 20 s, while Australia up to 24% and Croatia, Hungary and Spain ≤ 16.0%. When power-play occurred, the teams’ pass action was different ( H (5) = 15.99, p < 0.007), with Italy performing more passes than counterparts, especially Serbia ( Mdn = 13 vs. 9, respectively; p = 0.003, d z = 0.20) and with the exception of Hungary. Through fast play sequences, Italy, Serbia and Australia scored up to 33% of their goals, while Spain, Croatia, and Hungary scored ≤ 15%. The power-play contributed to ≥50% of teams’ goals, except for Spain and Australia (48 and 45%, respectively). Playing styles commonly attributed to Eastern vs. non-Eastern Europeans and other worldwide national teams such as Australia were not confirmed. However, offensive trends were perceived and described for the first time, and some base guidelines were suggested to distinguish the static or positional vs. a more dynamic playing model. Rule changes did not seem to induce the expected effects on game dynamics.

Suggested Citation

  • Sofia Canossa & Ricardo J. Fernandes & Luísa Estriga & J. Arturo Abraldes & Corrado Lupo & Júlio M. Garganta, 2022. "Water Polo Offensive Methods after the 2018 FINA Rules Update," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-13, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:5:p:2568-:d:756389
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jill S. Harris, 2020. "A Tale of Two Continents: Why Do Eastern European Males and American Females Excel at Water Polo?," Sports Economics, Management, and Policy, in: Jill S. Harris (ed.), The Economics of Aquatic Sports, chapter 0, pages 39-45, Springer.
    2. Mladen Hraste & Igor Jelaska & Mislav Lozovina, 2014. "An analysis of the differences between young water polo players based on indicators of efficiency," International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 14(1), pages 123-137, April.
    3. Sofia Canossa & J. Arturo Abraldes & M. Susana Soares & J. Ricardo Fernandes & Júlio M. Garganta, 2016. "Vertical jump and shot speed, efficacy and accuracy in water polo," International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 16(1), pages 64-79, April.
    4. Francisco M. Argudo & Pablo García Marín & Pablo J. Borges Hernández & Encarnación Ruíz-Lara, 2021. "Influence of rule changes on shooting performance in balanced matches between two European water polo championship," International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 21(1), pages 61-73, January.
    5. James Graham & John Mayberry, 2020. "The Cost of Losing Team Bias in Water Polo," Sports Economics, Management, and Policy, in: Jill S. Harris (ed.), The Economics of Aquatic Sports, chapter 0, pages 25-37, Springer.
    6. Jill S. Harris (ed.), 2020. "The Economics of Aquatic Sports," Sports Economics, Management and Policy, Springer, number 978-3-030-52340-4, February.
    7. Joey Gullikson & John. K. Mayberry & Lewis. R. Gale & Lara Killick, 2020. "Not throwing away my shot: an analysis of shot features in men’s collegiate water polo," International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 20(2), pages 240-253, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Goran Dimitric & Dean Kontic & Sime Versic & Tijana Scepanovic & Natasa Zenic, 2022. "Validity of the Swimming Capacities and Anthropometric Indices in Predicting the Long-Term Success of Male Water Polo Players: A Position-Specific Prospective Analysis over a Ten-Year Period," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-13, April.

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