*Ral Hileno, Cristfol Salas, & Bernat Busc

*INTRODUCTIONAttack tempo is the elapsed time between the setting touch and the attack hit (Fernndez, Salas, & Molina, 2009). Fernndez, M., Salas, C., & Molina, J. J. (2009). Technical and tactical variations in the blocking of zero attacks considering contextual variables: the influence of the scoreboard in volleyball. Kronos, 8(14), 7178.

*INTRODUCTIONAttack tempo is one of the main variables in the game because its a determinant factor for the block cohesiveness and the attack efficacy (Afonso & Mesquita, 2011). Afonso, J., & Mesquita, I. (2011). Determinants of block cohesiveness and attack efficacy in high-level womens volleyball. European Journal of Sport Science, 11(1), 6975.

Attack tempo *INTRODUCTIONData Volley System (Data Project, Bologna, Italy, release 3.4.2) includes attack tempo in its category system.

*INTRODUCTIONThe different user manuals of this software are unclear with the criteria to distinguish quick, fast, and high attacks.

Fernndez, M., Salas, C., & Molina, J. J. (2009). Technical and tactical variations in the blocking of zero attacks considering contextual variables: the influence of the scoreboard in volleyball. Kronos, 8(14), 7178.*INTRODUCTIONFernndez et al. (2009) propose three criteria to define the attack tempo categories: 1) Control the trajectory (maximum height) of the setting pass. 2) Observe the relationship between set and attack. 3) Examine the interaction between attack and block.

*INTRODUCTIONThe purpose of the present study was to analyse the relationship between attack tempo and type of block in high-level mens volleyball. Thus, we expected to determine: The time intervals when the different types of block are significantly formed. A temporal threshold to differentiate fast and high attacks of the outside hitters.

Blanco, A., Losada, J. L., & Anguera, M. T. (2003). Data analysis techniques in observational designs applied to the environment-behaviour relation. Medio Ambiente y Comportamiento Humano, 4(2), 111126.Bakeman, R., & Gottman, J. M. (1992). Observing interaction: an introduction to sequential analysis. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. *METHODS

*METHODSParticipants 15 volleyball matches (57 sets) from the 2010 Mens Pan-American Cup held in San Juan (Puerto Rico). 9 national teams: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico, USA, and Venezuela. 1451 multi-events (attack-block interactions).

*METHODSObservational instrument Attack tempo = 21 categories: 0.2 to 2.2 s. Type of block = 5 categories (Data Volley System):No blockSingleHoleDoubleTriple

*METHODSProcedures and materialThe matches were recorded using a digital camcorder (JVC Everio GZ-MG630) at 25 FPS.

*METHODSProcedures and materialFrame-by-frame analysis was performed using Kinovea video analysis software (Charmant & Contrib., Bordeaux, France, release 0.8.15).

*METHODSProcedures and materialMulti-events were recorded using MS Excel 2007 and were analysed using SDIS-GSEQ statistical software (Bakeman & Quera, Atlanta, GA, EUA, release 5.1).

*METHODSStatistical analysis

The relationship between attack tempo and type of block criteria was assessed using Pearsons chi-square tests for independence. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. The adjusted residual for each cell of the contingency table was computed. A z-score greater than 1.96 indicated that the relationship between a given and a target category was significant.

*RESULTS There was a relationship between attack tempo and type of block criteria (2 = 718.50, P < 0.01). Twenty-two significant relationships were found between the given and the target categories (Z > 1.96, P < 0.05):No blockSingleHoleDoubleTriple0.4, 0.8 0.9 s0.2 0.9 s1.0 1.2 s1.3 1.8 s1.6 1.8 s

*DISCUSSIONNo blockSingleHoleDoubleTripleAfonso, J., Mesquita, I., Marcelino, R., & Da Silva, J.A. (2010). Analysis of the setters tactical action in high-performance womens volleyball. Kinesiology, 42(1), 8289.Selinger, A., & Ackermann-Blount, J. (1992). Power volleyball. Paris: Vigot.Zimmermann, B. (1993). Main characteristics of defense (block, court defense, counterattack) in top volleyball. International Volley Tech, 1(93), 916.

*CONCLUSIONS

*Ral Hileno, Cristfol Salas, & Bernat Busc

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