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The growing trend of analyzing all performance factors involved in a game makes identifying offensive patterns a determining factor in improving tactical performance and decision making during a game. The main objective of this research was to analyze the effectiveness and detect successful patterns on offense at critical moments in the men’s EuroBasket 2022 and women’s EuroBasket 2021. The sample was composed of 509 technical–tactical offensive actions obtained from the last 2 min of the final quarters and overtime from the group stage and final round, whose difference in the final score was equal to or less than five points. For this purpose, observational methodology was employed using LINCE PLUS software through an observational instrument designed ad hoc. Descriptive analysis and chi-square (χ2) tests were performed with SPSS 25, and a pattern analysis (T-Patterns) was performed with Theme 5 software. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. The teams that were losing when performing the offense finished a greater number of plays and with greater effectiveness. Fastbreaks seem to be more effective in the closing minutes, a play characterized by a maximum of three passes and by finishing with individual play such as 1 × 1. In turn, actions finished near the hoop by inside players seem to be more effective when the possession is finished before 17 s. The practical implications described in this research will enable coaches to tailor their strategies and training to the critical moments of the game.

In Para-judo, the technical actions and tactical situations suitable for scoring in a combat have not been studied. The aim of this research was to determine the technical–tactical patterns of scoring actions in Para-judo, focusing on weight categories. An observational methodology was employed to conduct this study. The sample consisted of all male judokas with visual impairment (n = 172) in the senior category who participated in the World Championships held in Odivelas in 2018. A total of 232 combats and 313 scoring actions were analyzed. To obtain the results, we used different analytical techniques with SPSS: descriptive analysis, chi-square test, and T-pattern analysis. The significance level used was p < 0.05. Key findings show that the majority of scoring actions occurred in the first two minutes of combat, highlighting the importance of early initiative. Techniques such as ashi-waza, te-waza, and sutemi-waza demonstrated particular effectiveness across categories, with a focus on movements like sumi-otoshi, ouchi-gari, and ko-soto-gake. Moreover, the most common grip—lapel-sleeve—proved advantageous, aiding judokas in controlling the bout and achieving scores, especially when coupled with effective transition techniques. The study’s weight-specific analysis further revealed distinct patterns, emphasizing the importance of tailored training approaches. For instance, lighter judokas benefited from countering leg attacks with arm or sacrifice techniques to score waza-ari, while heavier judokas favored leg-to-leg counterattacks, often achieving ippon. The results suggest that judokas and coaches could benefit from a more systematic focus on grip stability, strategic positional work, and transition efficiency, particularly from standing to ground. This research contributes valuable insights into optimal techniques and strategies for visually impaired judokas, providing clear guidelines for training and competition.

Background: Men’s Olympic boxing follows a regulatory temporal structure, but previous studies have shown that this structure varies during competitions. However, these investigations have not thoroughly analyzed the differences in bout development according to weight category. Additionally, most studies have focused on a limited number of categories, leaving gaps in the temporal analysis of various categories. Aim: To determine the temporal structure in the featherweight, lightweight, welterweight, light heavyweight, and heavyweight categories of men’s Olympic boxing, in order to establish models that can help adjust training to meet competitive demands. Methods: An observational approach was used, analyzing 73 bouts involving 80 boxers who competed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. Results: Most bouts ended after the completion of the full regulation time across all categories. The most common actions were short punching sequences (two to five punches), occurring mainly in the center of the ring. Differences between weight categories were minimal, with the welterweight category showing the most variability. Conclusion: This study presents temporal models that will help coaches and boxers adjust their training with greater precision, improving the efficiency of training sessions according to competitive objectives.

Background: Pickleball is an exponentially growing sport with a lack of notation-based studies. Consequently, this research aimed to conduct a match analysis in men’s singles to enhance the understanding of the game and optimize training practices. Methods: Using observational methodology, a total of 1145 points were analyzed from the semifinal and final rounds of five Professional Pickleball Association Tour tournaments. Data were recorded with LINCE PLUS V.2.1.0 software using the OI-PICKLEBALL-S23 observational instrument. Descriptive statistical analyses were conducted with IBM-SPSS version 25.0, and gameplay patterns were detected using Theme 6.0 Edu. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: The data indicated that service faults at the start of the game were minimal (2.4%). The server won fewer points than the returner in the overall set of analyzed points (46.6%). Most points were concluded in short rallies (1–4 shots; 43%) or medium-length rallies (5–8 shots; 44%), with the final shot predominantly occurring from striking zone 2, the area closest to the non-volley line (50.7%). Ground strokes (55.1%) and volleys (38.4%) were the most common final shots. Conclusions: The insights gained from this study can benefit high-performance players and coaches and provide a foundation for future notation-based research in pickleball.

(1) Background: The analysis of women’s tennis performance has not been extensively explored by the scientific community, necessitating further research to understand the tactical actions occurring in matches. This research aimed to examine the chance of winning a point in professional women’s tennis based on the key variables that influence performance in the sport. (2) Methods: Data from 3239 points were examined across three distinct court surfaces, sourced from the final rounds (starting with the quarterfinals) of three Grand Slam tournaments in the 2021 season. An observational methodology was employed, using various analysis techniques: descriptive and chi-square analyses, with a significance level of p < 0.05. (3) Results: The probability of winning a point on the first serve was 61% on clay, 70% on grass, and 69% on hard courts. For second serves, the probability of winning the point varied between 55% and 57%, depending on the court surface. Additionally, the majority of points, ranging from 70% to 71%, concluded with short rallies, involving one to four shots. On clay courts, the server won up to 65% of points with a first serve and a short rally, while the success rate increased to 75% on both grass and hard courts. For medium-length rallies (5–8 shots), the probability of winning the point dropped to 55–57%. The point outcome (winner, forced error, and unforced error) varied according to court surface, serve type, and rally length. (4) Conclusions: Descriptive data from this research on the probability of winning a point could assist coaches and players in developing match strategies.

(1) Background: the penalty kick is an action in football that decides many matches. The aim of this research was to establish the success rate of penalty kicks in Spain between the seasons 2012/2013 and 2019/2020 considering different key performance variables. (2) Methods: A total of 941 penalty kicks were analysed from eight seasons of the first division of the Spanish men’s football league (La Liga). An observational methodology was used and, in order to obtain the results, different analytical techniques were employed: descriptive and chi square with a significance level of p < 0.05. (3) Results: The effectiveness of penalty kicks was 76.7%. Most of the penalties were taken by the home team (60.9%), with a tie on the scoreboard (44.2%) and within the last 30 min of the match (41.9%). The highest success rate was observed for balls kicked to the upper side of the goal (100%), even though the highest number of penalties were taken low, to one of the two sides of the goal (57.0%). Up to 5.6% of the penalties were not kicked inside the goal. (4) Conclusions: Effectiveness does not depend on home–visitor status, player laterality, score or remaining match time, studied independently. A loss of effectiveness is observed when the match scores of both teams are close and in critical moments of the match.

Background—The number of studies on padel has grown significantly in recent years, reflecting the growing importance of the sport. However, more research is still needed on a comprehensive analysis of performance indicators. This study had a double objective: on the one hand, to analyze the probability of winning a point as a function of several variables and, on the other hand, to develop a match analysis. Methods—A total of 980 points from the Menorca 2020 World Padel Tour Master Final Men’s category were examined using observational methodology. The participants were the eight pairs who competed in the final rounds of the tournament. To obtain the results, various analytical techniques were used, such as descriptive analysis and the chi-square test, with a significance level of p < 0.05. Results—The results indicated that most points were initiated on the first serve (88.5%) and were most often won by the serving pair (59.3%). Short rallies predominated (42.2%), with the serving pair most likely to win the point (71%). As the rally became longer, the probability of winning the point decreased, reaching 57% for medium rallies and 47% for long rallies. Almost half of the points were completed in less than 10 s, with an average point duration of 15 s. Most points were finished from the middle area and near the net (41.4% and 36%, respectively), mainly by smashes (25.9%) or volleys (28.9%), with the cross-court trajectory being the most effective. Conclusions—Short rallies (0–6 shots) were the most common, with an average point duration of approximately 15 s. Most points ended with a shot from the middle of the court, using a volley or a smash with a cross-court trajectory. There is a clear relationship between proximity to the net on the final shot and an increased probability of winning the point.

Time-motion analysis has been used to quantify the external load of competition and as a strategy to prevent injuries. The objectives of this study were to determine the external load of competition in breaking, using time-motion analysis, and to establish a battle model to help determine training load and prevent injuries. Using observational methodology, we analysed all the battles of 56 b-boys and 56 b-girls who participated in the Red Bull BC One from 2018 to 2021 (n = 112). To obtain the results we used different analysis techniques. The significance level established was ρ ≤ 0.05. The results show that the time and sequence values have increased in recent years. The total battle time reaches 195 s for bboys and 170 s for bgirls. Men show greater strength and explosiveness, with higher values in total time and sequentiality, using more powermove. Women have higher split time values, showing greater endurance in the movements and using more footwork. The first two rounds have the longest duration for both sexes and the most used categories are also the most injurious in this discipline. Women use less powermove than men and have a lower injury rate. With these results, breaking professionals will be able to elaborate adequate training for their athletes. We conclude that there are significant differences between sexes when it comes to dancing, diminishing as the tournament progresses. We propose a model of temporal and sequential structure individualised by sex. The most damaging elements of breaking (powermove and footwork) should be taken into account when analysing the results and preparing the athletes.

Layered materials in which individual atomic layers are bonded by weak van der Waals forces (vdW materials) constitute one of the most prominent platforms for materials research. Particularly, polar vdW crystals, such as hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), alpha-molybdenum trioxide (α-MoO3) or alpha-vanadium pentoxide (α-V2O5), have received significant attention in nano-optics, since they support phonon polaritons (PhPs)―light coupled to lattice vibrations― with strong electromagnetic confinement and low optical losses. Recently, correlative far- and near-field studies of α-MoO3 have been demonstrated as an effective strategy to accurately extract the permittivity of this material. Here, we use this accurately characterized and low-loss polaritonic material to sense its local dielectric environment, namely silica (SiO2), one of the most widespread substrates in nanotechnology. By studying the propagation of PhPs on α-MoO3 flakes with different thicknesses laying on SiO2 substrates via near-field microscopy (s-SNOM), we extract locally the infrared permittivity of SiO2. Our work reveals PhPs nanoimaging as a versatile method for the quantitative characterization of the local optical properties of dielectric substrates, crucial for understanding and predicting the response of nanomaterials and for the future scalability of integrated nanophotonic devices.