Tactical Report

The object of the game of basketball is to score points by shooting a ball into a raised basket at the opponent’s end of the court and to prevent the opponent from doing the same on a team’s own basket. There are many different strategies that teams can employ to score baskets, all of which ultimately result in the goal a shot attempt, either as a lay-up or jump shot. Teams establish plays in order to create open shots (unguarded by the defense). Asking coaches, players, and analysts which statistics are most important to successful team performance and winning basketball games may prove troubling and unsuccessful in gaining a consensus. Arguably, field goal percentage (percentage of successful shot attempts) would be considered an important statistic: having more successful shots than the opponent would likely result in more points scored, therefore, a win. However, every different coach, player, or analyst might provide additional, differing answers, potentially listing a variety of statistics including free-throw percentage, turnover ratio, assists, points in the “paint” (or free-throw lane), and amount of rebounds. The statistics might differ depending on level of play, as well. For example, shot clock differences (24 seconds in the National Basketball Association, 35 seconds in men’s college basketball, and no shot clock in New Jersey high school basketball) may affect which statistics potentially are viewed as essential. Research conducted by Lorenzo, Gomez, Ortega, Ibanez, and Sampaio (2010) identified game-related statistics that contribute to winning teams at the elite youth level. In a review of 122 games at the 2004 and 2005 U-16 European Championships, Lorenzo et al. (2010) found that successful two-point field goals, offensive rebounds, and assists were among key determinants of winning balanced (winning margin of 10 to 29 points) games. In