Using Rasch measurement to investigate volleyball skills and inform coaching

This paper illustrates some of the ways that Rasch modeling techniques can be used to inform coaching of volleyball. Volleyball game statistics for 11 volleyball players collected over 27 matches on 3 skills were analyzed using a multifaceted Rasch model (Lincare, 1999) incorporating the partial credit model (Masters, 1982). Rating scale analyses and model fit statistics were used to derive interval level scales that provided more objective information regarding player ability and consistency than is usually available to coaches. Detailed results illustrate that Rasch analyses can provide very specific information that coaches might use in drill, practice, and game strategy design.