title: Positional group significantly influences the offensive and defensive skill involvements of junior representative rugby league players during match play.
abstract: This study examined the skill involvements of three positional groups across a junior representative rugby league season. Data were collected from 45 rugby league players (mean ± SD; age = 16.5 ± 1.0 years) currently participating in the Harold Matthews and SG Ball Cup. Players were subdivided into hit-up forwards, adjustables and outside backs. The frequency (n · min(-1)) of offensive, defensive and overall involvements was coded for each group using a notation system and a practical coach skill analysis tool. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) revealed a significant effect of playing position on skill involvements (F = 9.06; P < 0.001; ES = 0.41). Hit-up forwards performed a significantly greater frequency of offensive (0.31 ± 0.10), defensive (0.42 ± 0.15) and overall involvements (0.74 ± 0.19) when compared to adjustables (0.20 ± 0.08, 0.28 ± 0.08 and 0.52 ± 0.15, respectively) and outside backs (0.20 ± 0.12, 0.11 ± 0.07 and ± 0.31 ± 0.17, respectively). Further, adjustables performed a significantly greater number of defensive (0.28 ± 0.08) and overall involvements (0.52 ± 0.15) when compared to outside backs (0.11 ± 0.07 and 0.31 ± 0.17, respectively). The findings of this study suggest that it is important to consider a junior player's positional group when analysing their skill involvements. Information gained from this study could assist in the design of specific training methodologies for junior rugby league players in high-level talent development programmes.
authors.affiliation: a Applied Sports Science and Exercise Testing Laboratory, Faculty of Science and Information Technology , University of Newcastle , Ourimbah , Australia.
authors.forename: Kyle J M
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Bennett
authors.affiliation: a Applied Sports Science and Exercise Testing Laboratory, Faculty of Science and Information Technology , University of Newcastle , Ourimbah , Australia.
authors.forename: Job
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fransen
authors.affiliation: a Applied Sports Science and Exercise Testing Laboratory, Faculty of Science and Information Technology , University of Newcastle , Ourimbah , Australia.
authors.forename: Brendan R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.affiliation: b Newcastle Knights Rugby League Football Club , Mayfield , Australia.
authors.forename: Colin E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Sanctuary
authors.affiliation: c School of Exercise Science , Australian Catholic University , Brisbane , Australia.
authors.forename: Tim J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Gabbett
authors.affiliation: a Applied Sports Science and Exercise Testing Laboratory, Faculty of Science and Information Technology , University of Newcastle , Ourimbah , Australia.|d Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition , University of Newcastle , Callaghan , Australia.
authors.forename: Ben J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Dascombe
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D003163:Competitive Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D005538:Football / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis
keywords: Talent identification; performance analysis; talent development; youth