Abstract
On the hypothesis that differences in rule understanding among basketball players are found based on the experiences of practice sites, i.e., leading factors such as teams, positions, and games by gender, this study aimed to examine the relationship between the structure of rule understanding among basketball players and their teams, gender, and positions. Subjects were 234 basketball players who belonged to three universities participating in nationwide competitions. They were asked to answer 72 questions, which were categorized after that into 14 items based on their similarities. Principal factor analysis and Biquartimin oblique rotation were applied to the data. Then, the differences in structural factor scores obtained in teams, positions, and gender were examined using t-tests and ANOVAs. Furthermore, in order to examine the association while holding other leading factors constant, Quantification Theory Type One (multiple regression analysis using dummy variables as independent variables) was used. As a result, the following findings were obtained: 1) The following four structural factors were extracted: F1 (the first factor): Understanding of rules regarding offensive and defensive plays in the high position or various kinds of fouls; F2: Understanding of rules regarding offensive time and fouls in shooting; F3: Understanding of rules regarding scrambling for the ball and plays when a game clock stops; and F4: Understanding of five-second rules and the rules of ball possession. Out of these leading factors, complicated structural factor patterns that included some items showing significant loadings on two structural factors were found. 2) Gender was the most impactful leading factor among teams, positions, and gender, and male players were superior to female players in F1 (Understanding of rules regarding offensive and defensive plays in the high position or various kinds of fouls), but female players were superior to male players in F2 (Understanding of rules regarding offensive time and fouls in shooting) and F3 (Understanding of rules regarding scrambling for the ball and plays when a game clock stops). 3) No significant association was found in F4 (Understanding of five-second rules and the rules of ball possession) in all three leading factors and positions with all four structural factors.
