The One on One Situation as an Important Factor in Modern Basketball

Abstract

The purpose of this study was both to record and assess the 1 on 1 situation and evaluate its role in modern basketball games. The sample was selected from 46 games played in: the 2001 men’s European basketball championship (N=20) that took place in Turkey, and the 2003 men’s European basketball championship (N=26) that took place in Sweden; from these games, 7302 offenses were analyzed. The parameters of the analyses were a) the way of carrying out the offense, b) the way in which 1 on 1 situation is executed both in general an in relation to the player’s position, c) the frequency of 1 on 1 situation for each playing position in relation to both winners and losers. For the data analysis the non-parametric test χ2 (chi-square) was used, the significance level was being set at p<.05. The results showed that 1 on 1 situations, facing the basket, were the most common way of attacking. The analysis also showed that guards (point guards, shooting guards and small forwards) tended to use the one on one situation, facing the basket; while power forwards and centers, although often playing facing the basket, tended to use the post up game more than the other players. The results of the study showed that the 1on 1 situation is the most frequently used offensive situation irrespective of the tactics chosen by the coaches.