Table 2

Descriptive values of the rhythm of play by quarter and effectiveness of the possessions

Variables	1^st quarter	2^nd quarter	3^rd quarter	4^th quarter	TOTAL	F
Possessions (n) (eff/ineff)	141 (69/72)	150 (69/81)	146 (74/72)	148 (80/68)	585 (292/293)	3.65^a
Rhythm of play (a.u.)
Effectiveness	0.68 ± 0.17	0.69 ± 0.24	0.71 ± 0.18	0.64 ± 0.22	0.68 ± 0.21
	0.23 – 1.11	0.33 – 2.0	0.32 – 1.14	0.24 – 1.50	0.23 – 2.0
Inefficient	0.58 ± 0.17	0.60 ± 0.22	0.65 ± 0.22	0.57 ± 0.15	0.60 ± 0.19
	0.22 – 1.25	0.25 – 2.0	0.33 – 2.0	0.23 – 0.91	0.22 – 2.0
Total	0.63 ± 0.18	0.64 ± 0.23	0.68 ± 0.2	0.61 ± 0.2	0.64 ± 0.21	23.28*
	0.22 – 1.25	0.25 – 2.0	0.32 – 2.0	0.23 – 1.50	0.22 – 2.0
Note. For the rhythm of play, variable values are expressed as mean ± standard deviation, minimum – maximum; eff = effective possessions; ineff = ineffective possessions. *p < .01 a The difference is significant between the last two quarters of the match. a.u. = arbitrary units of measure.