Characterizing adaptations of serve indicators in top-level male volleyball among seasons.

The purpose of this study was to analyse selected serve characteristics in top-level male volleyball, with a special focus on detecting adaptations of the serve skill among seasons. The indicators examined were type, position, direction and quality of serve. The sample consisted of 5482 serves from three final phases of different top-level tournaments (Olympic Games 2012, N = 1942, World League 2017, N = 1883, World Championship 2018, N = 1657). The interrelationships between variables were analyzed using chi-squared tests, log-linear modelling and multiple correspondence analysis. The results showed that the interaction of all serve indicators are statistically important, but the combination of the variables' categories that were more responsible for association alternated across the seasons under study. A 3-way association term was revealed for season 2012 (type/position/direction) and 2018 (type/position/quality), while for season 2017 multiple 2-way interactions were found (type/position, type/direction, position/quality, direction/quality). The direction of the serve to the horizontal axis of the court was correlated to the quality of serve and consequently with the advantage of the serving team, while a more tactical perspective for serve skill is formed over periods in top level male volleyball. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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