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Grading the Quality of the Pass and Serve Based on Ball Location and Trajectory
Defining the Stats
The definition of the stats, known as the operational definition, should be clear and unambiguous so that it enables you and others to consistently interpret events the same way. This will increase the reliability and objectivity of the stats you collect. I wanted to move away from the traditional way to grade the pass (3-point pass | all attack options, 2-point pass | limited attack options, 1-point pass | no attack options, 0-point pass | error) because I always found it vague to use in practice. You can read on this ou can read on this link how these traditional definitions morphed into something much different from what I imagine these passes should depict. So I now base my definitions on ball location and trajectory to sidestep these grey areas. how these traditional definitions morphed into something much different from what I imagine these passes should depict. So I now base my definitions on ball location and trajectory to sidestep these grey areas.
Grading Other Technical Skills
This is one in a series on how I grade the various technical skills. Click on the links below to read more.
Reception
A reception attempt is the first ball touch from an opposition serve. Reception and pass are terms used interchangeably. The graph below is a guide to grading the quality of the reception.
Perfect Pass (R#) (4 Points) is a reception attempt that lands in the perfect zone, with a high ball trajectory and the setter can set overhand. The setter can set in a neutral, upright, relatively stationary position, i.e. not rushing to set.
Positive Pass (R+) (3 Points) is a reception attempt that lands in the positive zone with a high ball trajectory or in the perfect zone with a medium ball trajectory. The setter can set overhead in a neutral, upright and relatively stationary position.
Neutral Pass (R!) (2 Points) is a reception attempt that lands in the neutral zone with a high ball trajectory or in the positive zone with a medium ball trajectory or in the perfect zone with a low ball trajectory. The setter can set overhand in all situations.
Poor Pass (R-) (1 Point) is a reception attempt that lands outside the neutral zone or has a low trajectory to any zone. Poor passes also include any passes where the setter can only bump set the ball or if another player other than the setter has to set the ball. The setter is usually rushing to take the second ball if they get there.
Overpass (R/) (0.5 Point) is a reception attempt that results in the ball being sent immediately back over the net to the serving team, i.e. an overpass.
*** Update 3 June 2024 ***I also include shanked passes under the R/ code. I believe a poor pass where the setter can still bump set is not the same as when a teammate is chasing down the ball simply to keep the ball in play but they are coded the same as R-. I would say the sideout rate for a shanked pass would be similar to an overpass, i.e. both are very low, so they should be coded the same. Click on this link to read more.
Reception Error (R=) (0 Points) is a reception attempt that directly results in a point lost. A reception error is charged to a player:
If the serve strikes the floor in the area of the closest player.
If the player passes the serve but it cannot be kept in play by his or her team.
If the player is called for a ball handling violation by the referee, i.e. lift, double hit.
If the team is out of rotation.
Service
A service attempt is the first ball touch that starts a rally. The quality rating is the inverse of the reception quality rating.
Service Ace (S#) (4 Points) is a service attempt that directly results in a point won, i.e. an opposition reception error. If the receiving team is out of rotation, then a service ace is only rewarded if the serve would have resulted in a point if the error was not called. Otherwise a positive serve is charged to the server. Philosophy: the server did not actively earn a point when the opposition team is out of rotation so should not be awarded a point.
Over Pass Serve (S/) (3.5 Points) is a service attempt that results in an overpass.
Positive Serve (S+) (3 Points) is a service attempt that results in a poor pass.
Neutral Serve (S!) (2 Points) is a service attempt that results in a neutral pass.
Poor Serve (S-) (1 Point) is a service attempt that results in a perfect or positive pass.
Service Error (S=) (0 Points) is a service attempt that directly results in a point lost. A service error is charged to a player:
If the serve fails to go over the net and lands on the side of the team serving.
If the serve is out of bounds or hits the antenna.
If the server foot faults.
If the server is called for an eight second violation.
If the server tosses more than once for service.
If a player serves out of rotation.
If there is a rotational fault.
Final Thoughts
I feel this is a better way to grade the pass rather than based on the number of attackers available. This should help with the consistency of the stats you record.
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