Discriminant analysis of technical-tactical actions in high-level judo athletes

A method to identify successful technical-tactical (T-T) systems could produce important benefits for coaches and researchers. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to conduct a discriminant analysis among T-T systems used by winning and losing athletes during high-level judo competition. The sample consisted of 174 combats (145 winners and 39 losers) contested between 2011 and 2012 by 21 men from the half-middleweight class (-81 kg) who qualified for the 2012 London Olympic Games. The T-T variables were analyzed according to frequency of occurrence and included the following indicators: Approach (No Form, Right and Left Antero-posterior Positions and Attempted Gripping); Gripping (Left and/or Right Collar, Sleeve and/or Back Gripping combinations); and Attack (Ashi-waza, Koshi-waza, Te-waza, Sutemi-waza, Osae-waza, Shime-waza and Kansetsu-waza). Cluster analysis was used to group outcomes and T-T variables, according to homogeneous groups. Findings showed divergent T-T systems, where winning athletes showed lower values of Approach (Left Antero-posterior), and higher values of Gripping (Left Back/Right Sleeve and Right Sleeve) than losing athletes. Consequently, the prescription of T-T training should consider the specific tactical demands of the weight category. The results of the current investigation indicate that in male half-middleweight judo athletes, Approach and Gripping strategies are the main discriminant indicators of performance.