Comparison of the effectiveness of fast breaks in two high level basketball championships

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the offensive effectivess of fast-breaks in high level basketball teams. Twenty five games of A1Greek professional teams, and twenty five games between national teams in the European championship were recorded, and fast-breaks were evaluated using video analysis in conjunction with different parameters such as success, initiation, type, player completing the fast-break and conditions of execution. Although no significant statistical differences were recorded between the two different levels of basketball in fast-break completion, significant differences were recorded in the type of fast break, with the A1 teams recording greater 4 on 3 (13.8%) while national teams tended to prefer 1 on 1 fast breaks (14.3%). A significant statistical difference in success rates with the 4 on 2 was revealed since, national teams succeded in 91.4% of attacks, and clubs in 67.4%. The results indicate that emphasis should be given to completing transition from the 3‥ area and practice 1 on 1 primary, and 4 on 3 secondary transition to enhance the effectiveness of fast-breaks in these situations.