Impact of offensive-reward rules on young basketball players’ performance during small-sided games

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 20; no. 1; p. e0313656
• Main Authors: Abade, Eduardo, Figueira, Bruno, Coutinho, Diogo, Folgado, Hugo, Moreira, Catarina, Gonçalves, Bruno
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 03.01.2025; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Adaptability; Adolescent; Age groups; Athletic Performance - physiology; Athletic Performance - psychology; Basketball; Basketball - physiology; Basketball - psychology; Behavior; Boundary conditions; Decision making; Evaluation; Frequency; Games; Global positioning systems; GPS; Human subjects; Humans; Male; Offense; Physical activity; Physical Exertion - physiology; Players; Reward; Rules; Skills; Team sports; Teenage athletes; Youth; Portugal
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0313656

This study aimed to investigate the impact of different offensive-reward-related rules on the physical performance, perceived exertion and enjoyment of young basketball players during small-sided games (SSG). Eighteen youth male players (age: 13.3±0.9y; height: 167.0±13.1cm; weight: 50.6±11.5kg; years of practice: 3.1±1.2y) participated in three distinct 3x3 SSG (14x15m pitch) experimental conditions: i) 3x3NORMAL, regular 3x3 game; ii) 3x3POINT-POSS, where the team in possession was rewarded a new ball possession after scoring; iii) 3x3PASSES, where the score was determined by the number of passes made before converting a basket. Players’ performance was measured using global positioning systems, rating of perceived exertion and the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale. Players covered more distance for total ( p < .001), low ( p < .01) and moderate-speed distance ( p < .05), and presented a higher game pace ( p < .001) during the 3x3POINT-POSS than in the other conditions. A higher number of accelerations (1–1.99 m·s -2 , p < .01) and decelerations (>2 m·s -2 , p < .01) were also reported in the 3x3POINT-POSS. Despite the higher external load in the 3x3POINT-POSS, players reported higher perceived exertion during the 3x3PASSES (small to moderate effects). In addition, players reported the 3x3POINT-POSS as being more enjoyfull than the 3x3NORMAL. In conclusion, coaches may consider incorporating the 3x3POINT-POSS to enhance players’ external load while simultaneously increasing enjoyment and decreasing perceived exertion. Conversely, the 3x3PASSES condition may be useful for promoting adaptive behaviors under a higher perception of effort. Thus, coaches should carefully choose the type of rewards when designing training tasks for youth basketball players.