Defensive Reaction Time in Under-16 Female Volleyball Players

Abstract

The dynamics of volleyball require rapid actions and minimal reaction time. Timely and accurate responses are crucial in defensive play, as players must instantly analyze the situation and respond effectively to the opponent’s attack.

The objective of this study was to determine the preparation and execution time required for defensive actions in volleyball. The research was conducted among national under-16 girls’ volleyball teams participating in the 2025 European Qualification Tournament. We measured the time it takes for the ball to travel from the setter to the attacker, and from the attacker to the moment the ball lands in the opposing court. Data collection and analysis were performed using the video analysis software Kinovea.

Sets from the setter to the attacker were categorized based on the attacking zone - zones 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 and only attacks following a positive reception to the setter were included. To summarize the measurement data and determine both the fastest attacks and average values, we applied variation analysis. A frequency analysis was also conducted to identify the most commonly observed outcomes. We identified the timeframe within which blockers and defenders need to reposition themselves for defense, as well as their available reaction time after an opponent’s spike. The average time required to move to a defensive position was: 1.29 seconds for attacks from zone 4, 0.56 seconds from zone 3, 1.29 seconds from zone 2. The average ball travel time from the attacker to the opponent’s court was: 0.78 seconds from zone 4. 0.52 seconds from zone 3, 0.67 seconds from zone 2. The collected data indicates that quick movement and tactical discipline are fundamental for successful defensive performance. During the fastest attacks, players have insufficient time to reposition. Therefore, if defenders are not already in the correct positions, effective defense becomes nearly impossible.