A comparison of selected factors predictive of volleyball playing ability

Abstract

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to compare selected general ability tests, specific skill tests and personality traits as predictors of volleyball performances in high school girls. It was a further purpose of this study to determine which of these variables had the highest relationship with overall performance. It was also the purpose of this investigation to develop prediction equations from the three variables or combinations of the variables that proved worthwhile and to determine the validity of the selected equations. Procedure. Three general ability tests, three specific volleyball skill tests and a personality test were administered to 120 high school girls trying-out for varsity teams in six schools. The coaches of each team assigned a subjective pre and post season score to each of their respective players. The post season score was used as the criterion measure. The data from three of the schools were used to develop prediction equations using a general linear model procedure. The data from the remaining schools were used to validate the equations. Results. The specific test model had the highest correlation with overall performance. The variables of general ability and personality were not related to volleyball performance. The combined equation of general and specific had the highest relationship of any combined model to the criterion score. The specific model was the most valid predictor of criterion scores followed by the combined general and specific model. Conclusions. (1) There is little relationship between selected tests of general physical ability and volleyball performance. (2) There is a substantial relationship between selected specific skill tests and volleyball performance. (3) There is little relationship between selected personality traits and volleyball performance. (4) There is a substantial relationship between volleyball performance and the following combined models: specific and general, specific and personality, and specific, general, and personality combined. (5) The specific test model is the best predictor of volleyball performance. (6) The best combined model for prediction is the general and specific. (7) The specific test model and combinations of the general ability and personality with the specific are better predictors of volleyball performance than the coaches beginning of season judgement.