Implementing Z-Scores as a method of distinguishing between winning and losing university netball

Abstract

The aim of the current study was to create an effective method to analyse the Cardiff Metropolitan University (CMU) netball team, in order for normative values to be distinguished, interpreted, presented and explored. The sample was collected from the Premier South and Western 2B season (n=8 fixtures). An intra-operator reliability test was conducted and recognised that there were a good strength (>0.6 Kappa values) of agreement within the system. The mean and standard deviation for each performance indicator (PI) was established separately for both the winning and losing team. This allowed for a z-score to be calculated for nine different PI’s; attacking rebounds, defensive rebounds, feeds to goal, shots to goal, opponents pressured goals, opponents pressured miss, forced errors, unforced errors and opponents forced errors. A Pearson’s correlation was performed to examine the relationship between the goal difference and each of the PI’s. The statistical test revealed that two out of the nine PI’s, attacking rebound and opponent pressure miss, provided a relationship with the goal difference. Next, a two related variable Wilcoxon test was used to establish which of the PI’s were significantly different between the winning and losing team. The statistical test established that five out of the nine PI’s differed significantly, specifically forced possession loss (p<0.01), unforced possession loss (p<0.01), shots to goal (p<0.01), feeds to goal (p<0.03) and opponents forced errors (p<0.01). The z-score results from each match were displayed in a graphical form to emphasise the PI’s that contributed to successful or unsuccessful performance. The coach and team used these graphs to implement training regimes to combat the areas that require attention. The graphs identified the main strength of the CMU team was their ability to force the opposition into errors. Nevertheless, to ensure the success of CMU is continued throughout future games the precise execution of attacking rebounds, defensive rebounds, feeds to goal and shots to goal needs to be addressed.