International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport

The purpose of this study was to analyse the influence of the newsubstitution option (NSO) on the Chinese Soccer Super League(CSL). After exclusion of matches included red cards, a total of1129 match observations from 2018 to 2020 were analysed. Linearmixed models were built to analyse the impact of NSO on physicaland technical performance. The study found that after the intro-duction of NSO: (i) substitution distributions changed, as substitu-tion were made earlier by coaches than the past especially in theperiod from 46 to 75 min; (ii) although there was no significantchanges on physical performance, technical performance showedsignificant changes especially in organizing performance anddefending performance; (iii) specifically, teams used NSO showedsignificantly higher possession (p = 0.022), passes (p < 0.001), passaccuracy (p < 0.001), passes in attacking third (p = 0.004), and passaccuracy in attacking third (p < 0.001), whereas lower break-throughs (p = 0.028), tackles (p = 0.002), clearances (p < 0.001),and yellow cards (p = 0.002). The findings of the study can helpcoaches, especially in CSL, to better understand NSO and improvedecision-making when replacing players.

This study determined and compared profiles of high-intensity tactical actions for different phases of play, for an Australian A-League association football team. Phases of play (build-up play; counter-attack; defensive block; counter-defending; and other) were identified using video recordings, synchronised to 10 Hz GPS data. High-intensity efforts were identified and assigned a tactical action using a validated observational framework. The percentage contribution of each action to the very high-speed activity (>19.8 km∙h−1) distance for the different phases was the dependent variable. Two linear mixed models (p < 0.05) were performed (in-possession comparison and out-of-possession comparison). Generally, the tactical actions “run with ball” and “move to receive/exploit space” contributed most to build-up play; “run with ball” to counter-attack; and “close down/press” to defensive block and counter-defending phases. Significant differences between phases of play for “run with ball”, “move to receive/exploit space”, “support play”, “close down/press” and “recovery run” were also identified. Results highlight important high-intensity tactical actions in different phases of play and demonstrate the individualised nature of phases to the contribution of tactical actions. Analysts and coaches may use such data to compare the actions players perform in different moments of matches, and this may also assist in designing training practices.

To date, little consideration has been given to the impact on elite athletes of the time at which pre-match meetings are conducted in relation to kick-off. The use of an online survey and follow-up semi-structured interviews explored the perceptions of elite professional football players towards the timing of such meetings. A total of 40 elite professional football players from nine English Football League (EFL) clubs in England completed a semi-structured survey. Additionally, six players completed a semi-structured interview. Three key themes emerged from the inductive analysis of the data: (1) player routines, (2) matchday focus and (3) time to process delivered information. The main finding of the study concludes that players prefer receiving information the day before kick-off. Furthermore, the results highlighted contextual factors previously not discussed in the PA literature such as players’ pre-match routines linked to pre-performance anxiety, matchday focus, and the time between pre-match meeting delivery and kick-off, in order to facilitate discussions with coaches on key messages and enable time to process. The findings from the study help strengthen the knowledge coaches, analysts and researchers have on the implications of pre-match delivery to support successful outcomes.

A retrospective correlational study was used to determine evolutionary game trends of men’s and women’s FIFA World Cup finals. Broadcast footage of finals games 2014–2022 for men (n = 3) and 1991–2023 for women (n = 9) was used to assess trends in game structure and playing styles. These recent men’s data were combined with our previous evolution study results and reanalysed (1966–2022; total 15 finals games). Computer-based ball tracking using TrakPerformance software (https://trak-performance.soft ware.informer.com/) and notational analyses were used to quantify play and stop periods, ball speed and passing rates. Linear regression was used to track changes in these variables across time. Total stoppage time, ball speed and passing rates increased significantly (p < 0.05) for both men and women. Ball speed increased faster for women than men as speeds converge. Women’s play percentage decreased significantly across time from an average of 65% to 55% of total game time to match current men’s finals games. Median duration of stoppages have increased for men and women. Longer stoppage time facilitates greater physiological recovery. While cause and effect cannot be established, the additional stoppage time is paralleled by elevated intensity of play such as faster ball speed and higher passing rates.

Head Coaches (HCs) and players are the primary agents with the greatest influence on performance in professional soccer. With failure, the common approach is to replace the HC. Little is known about the players’ awareness in these situations. This study explored players’ understanding of leadership changes. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 9 Portuguese professional players from five different clubs in the Portuguese top 2 soccer leagues (33.44 ± 1.66 years; 13.33 ± 2.23 professional seasons; 7.33 ± 3.96 career clubs). Interview questions focused on priorities in training sessions, methods and exercises and on concerns, motivations, communication, and leadership style. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed through a content analysis approach. Results were processed through context analysis and a deductive-inductive approach to encode information. Recovering the players’ confidence/motivation and assessing the squad capability were the top priorities reported. Players reported increased motivation to train and compete, preferring competitive and less complex exercises. Key concerns included logistical changes and the game model not fitting the players’ profile. A more flexible HC, communicative and participative in training, were recommended traits. These insights can provide scientific guidance for inexperienced HCs lacking expertise. Future research should examine the perspectives of HCs, comparing their approaches and methods.

This study aimed to verify the influence of 25 training sessions based on tactical principles and small-sided and conditioned games (SSCG) in developing cognitive and motor decision-making skills of U-12 soccer players. Participants were 25 U-12 elite male soccer players from a Brazilian first division national club. Perceptual-cognitive decision-making skills (quality and response time) were assessed with an objective video-based test (TacticUP®). Perceptual-motor decision-making skills (tactical efficiency) were assessed with the System of Tactical Assessment in Soccer (FUT-SAT). Both instruments were developed based on the same theoretical background (core tactical principles). The 25 training sessions were organised based on tactical principles and SSCG. The sessions were designed considering the individual needs to improve decision making skills. Results showed improvements (p < .05) in: 1) perceptual-cognitive decision-making skills related to the decision-making time for both offensive and defensive actions and 2) perceptual motor skills for defensive actions. We also found unexpected results for the quality of decision-making. It decreased for the defensive phase in post-test. We concluded that 25 training sessions based on core tactical principles and SSCG improved perceptual -cognitive related to decision time and perceptual-motor decision-making skills. Improvement of decision-making time apparently is related to improvement in tactical efficiency of U-12 soccer players.

The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether off-ice key performance indicators (KPIs) of linear skating speed are global across all skaters or modulated based on relevant cohort- dependent covariates. A total of 112 development- and university- level hockey players completed on-ice (30-m skate; ICE 0–30 m) and off-ice assessments (30-m sprint with split times, countermovement jump; CMJ, broad jump, and maximum chin ups). A linear regres- sion model was created to predict ICE 0–30 m times from off-ice inputs with height, body mass, age level, and strength level included as covariates. Model parameters were estimated using the LASSO method with k-fold cross validation. The final model had a cross-validated R2 of 0.806. The strongest predictor of ICE 0–30 m times was 20–30 m sprint time (ß = 0.088). Relative propul- sive mean power (ß = -0.064) from the CMJ, 0–30 m sprint time (ß = 0.058), and broad jump (ß = −0.046) represented second-tier pre- dictors. Both relative braking net impulse (ß = 0.043) and relative braking mean power (ß = −0.009) from the CMJ were predictive factors for lower strength players only. The results indicate that top speed sprinting represents the primary global KPI and closest off-ice proxy for skating speed regardless of cohort.