The optimal analysis of skills and strengths in college basketball training

Differences in physiological, physical, and technical demands of the college basketball training related to the number of players, court size, and work-to-rest ratios are not well characterized.A controlled trial was conducted to compare the influence of number of players (2v2/4v4), court size (half/full court) and work-to-rest ratios (4x2.5min/2x5min) on the demands of college games.Sixteen elite male and female undergraduate students (aged 18-22 years) completed eight variations of a college basketball training in randomized order over a six-week period.Heart rate responses and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured to assess the physiological load.Movement patterns and technical elements were assessed by video analysis.There were 60% more technical elements in 2v2 and-20% more in half court games.Heart rate (86 + 4% & 83 + 5% of maximum; mean + SD) and RPE (8 + 2 & 6 + 2; scale 1-10) were moderately higher in 2v2 than 4v4 small-sided games, respectively.The 2v2 format elicited substantially more sprints (36 +12%; mean +90% confidence limits) and high intensity shuffling (75 +17%) than 4v4.Full court games required substantially more jogging (9+6%) compared to half court games.Fewer undergraduate students in college basketball training substantially increases the technical, physiological and physical demands.