The influence of contextual variables on the team's performance in the last 10 minutes of the handball match

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to verify the association of different performance indicators, registered in the last ten minutes of handball game, with the match outcome according to quality of opposition, game location, and match equilibrium. The sample consisted of 1551 offensive processes and 1549 defensive processes recorded in 150 ten-minute periods from 75 matches played by nine teams from the Portuguese Handball Men League in the 2008/2009 season. The observational system included eight performance variables (numerical relationship, game phase, substitutions, offensive actions, defensive actions, personal punishments, result of ball possession and match outcome) and three contextual variables (game location, quality of opposition and match equilibrium). The relationship between performance and contextual variables has been analyzed using log-linear models and chi-square test.The results suggest that the indicators associated with the match outcome are: the goalkeeper efficacy, the shot efficacy, the defense-attack substitutions and total of fast breaks. The match equilibrium was significantly related to the number of substitutions, defensive fouls, offensive errors and the efficacy of long-distance throws.