Desenho e validação de um sistema de observação no Andebol

Abstract

This study aims at presenting all steps involved in a preliminary design and content validity of an ad hoc observational system in handball. It is based, mainly, in the relative importance of tactical variables. In phase 1, an inventory was made concerning all variables used in previ- ous published papers, master and Ph.D. thesis related to handball game in competitive settings. In phase 2, a “simple structure observation” was used in 6 handball games in European (2002) and World (2003) championships. Main emphasis was on an exhaustive inventory of all variables that were thought to map important game aspects. Crossing all relevant information from these two phases, it was possible to derive the following set of configuration variables: special location of main actions; relationship between goal-keeper and attacker with the ball; defender with attacker having the ball; defender/defensive organi- zation; ball recovering; development of offensive sequences; finalization (this was phase 3). In phase 4, we asked an expert panel (n=9) to critically review and analyze main conclusions from phase 3. We have also asked for precise answers, from irrelevant to most important, to all game actions defined in phase 3. Main results from this panel of answers were: goal-keeper actions (100% agreement), shots to goal (89%), counter-attack (89%), defense (89%), attack in numeric supe- riority (78%), assists (78%), and game in numeric inequality (67%). The main conclusion is that the ad hoc observational system seems to map the most important aspects of the game. Therefore it is a relevant instrument to study the dynamics of players´ and teams´ performance over time.