Psychomotor Abilities as Predictors of Actions of Handball Goalkeepers During Saves

Abstract Introduction. The aim of this study was to determine whether the level of selected psychomotor abilities is a predictor of goalkeepers’ actions performed when saving throws made by the attacker in and without contact with the defender depending on the court area from which the throws are made. Material and Methods. The study included ten leading goalkeepers of the Polish PGNiG Superleague. The research material was a video recording of 1369 goalkeeper saves during throws without contact between the attacking player and the defender and 898 with contact. To assess goalkeepers’ actions, the observation method categorized according to Norkowski’s concept was used. The level of selected psychomotor abilities was assessed using the Vienna Test System. RT (ver.S.1) – simple reaction time, RT (ver.S.3) – reaction time with choice; ZBA (ver.S.3) – time-space anticipation. The statistical test used was the regression analysis. Results. The research results presented indicate that selected psychomotor abilities are the predictors of goalkeepers’ actions in the context of the court area from which a throw is made depending on the contact between the thrower and the defender. Predictors of the effectiveness of interventions during throws from pivot positions (without contact with the defender) are simple reaction time, motor time and time anticipation (y = 0.40326RTSRT - 0.66451MTSRT - 0.62533TA - 0.18835RTCRT + 69.58). The predictor of the effectiveness of interventions during throws from backcourt position from the first line (without contact with the defender) is reaction time with choice (y = -0.15796RTCRT + 70.92). Conclusions. Specific psychomotor abilities should be developed to increase goalkeepers’ effective actions and reduce errors that result in ineffective saves, i.e. the loss of goals.