Daniel Barreira

University of Porto | UP · Centre of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport (CIFI2D)

Sports 2021 Best Paper Award

A identificação e a seleção de jovens futebolistas talentosos dependem de um conjunto de fatores multidimensionais cuja interação influencia, em diferentes escalas de complexidade, a obtenção de níveis superiores de expertise e de performance. No presente estudo, visou-se examinar se a idade cronológica e o desempenho tático, técnico e físico seria...

The identification and selection of talented football players are contingent on a set of factors whose interaction influences a given individual to reach high levels of performance. The present systematic review of articles and meta-analyses, using the PRISMA guidelines, aimed to compile, identify, and organize emerging investigation patterns betwe...

Investigating synchronization tendencies in elite football teams is of paramount importance since such dynamic and emerging processes reveal how interdependent agents (i.e., the players) coordinate behaviours to achieve common performance goals. Traditionally, such processes have been assessed based on separated measures obtained for team-team (e.g...

This study aimed to identify the most frequent behavioural, structural and interactional variables that induced three types of penetrative passing that generated goal-scoring chances in elite soccer. Following restrict inclusion criteria (each and every type of pass that disrupts the opposition's last defensive line), 134 attacking sequences from U...

Traditional talent identification and development programs have sought to identify and select the most promising children as athletes of the future, to provide them with specialised training and preparation for expert performance in sport from an early age. Traditional models of talent identification and development tend to be linear, emphasising t...

Research in sport pedagogy and its applied recommendations are still characterized by a contrast between the different learning theories from psychology. Traditional theories and their corresponding approaches to the specific case of teaching and learning “how to play [team sports like soccer]” are subject to compatibilities and incompatibilities....

The aim of this systematic review was to identify and synthesize the available information regarding longitudinal data addressing young soccer players’ motor performance changes. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement, literature searches were performed in three databases: PubMed, ISI Web of Scie...

This study sought to create a formula called the Defensive Golden Index (DGI) that assigns an index to each player according to his individual and collective defensive performance. This method helps identify the best-ranked players in defending play, designated as Defensive Golden Players. The study was organized in two main phases: (1) selection,...

Youth soccer performance is multifaceted, includes physical growth, biological maturation, and physical fitness, and is linked to the sporting environment to which the players are exposed. We aim to describe age-related associations in body physique, body composition, physical performance technical and tactical skills, psychological and club charac...

The use of principal component analysis (PCA) provides information about the main characteristics of teams, based on a set of indicators, instead of displaying individualized information for each of these indicators. In this work we have considered reducing an extensive data matrix to improve interpretation, using PCA. Subsequently, with new compon...

Observational methodology is an inventive approach for performance analysis in sport that has opened up a new panorama of useful and productive research in recent years (Preciado et al.). This Research Topic (RT) responds to the need for practitioners to understand athlete and team performance in individual, dual, and team sports. This RT presents...

Inicialmente foi projetada para o Inex uma amostra de 1000 atletas, 200 por modalidade. Contudo dificuldades de natureza variada obrigaram a redimensionar a amostra que ficou pelos 600 desportistas, provenientes de 51 clubes da região Norte do Grande Porto de modalidades do Andebol, Basquetebol, Futebol, Polo Aquático, e Voleibol.

We aimed to investigate if social networks measures can be used as indicators of training tasks' adjustment level to soccer players' tactical skills. Twenty-four U17 male soccer players (16.89 AE 0.11 years) participated in this study. The System of Tactical Assessment in Football (FUT-SAT) was used to identify players' tactical level and to organi...

BACKGROUND: This paper presents an introduction and brief appraisal of the use of hyper networks metrics and its potential practical application in examining team dynamics' coordination patterns collective sports. AIM: Throughout their critique piece, we highlighted that game analysis, including the hyper network concept, may help overcome the limi...

Editorial on the Research Topic Observational Methodology in Sport: Performance Key Elements PURPOSE OF THE RESEARCH TOPIC Observational methodology is an inventive approach for performance analysis in sport that has opened up a new panorama of useful and productive research in recent years (Preciado et al.). This Research Topic (RT) responds to th...

Researchers in soccer match analysis have been using limited procedures to express the dynamics of the game and mainly focus on the attack. Therefore, the aims of this paper were to detect the successful teams’ ball recovery defensive patterns of play and study the influence of tactical modelling, halves, match status, opponent quality and stage co...

This study aimed to investigate: i) how Small-Sided and Conditioned Games based on different representation and exaggeration modification strategies, from the Teaching Games for Understanding pedagogical principles, affected team performance and exploratory behaviour; and ii) how teams and players of different ages and skill levels were affected by...

Purpose. small-sided games (ssG) with floaters are frequently adopted during the training process of soccer players. However, no study has previously investigated how the rules imposed to these additional players impact the physical, tactical, and physiological responses of the regular players. this study aimed to analyse the influence of the numbe...

Understanding team behaviours in sports performance requires understanding the interdependencies established between their levels of complexity (micro-meso-macro). Previously, most studies examined interactions emerging at micro- and macro-levels, thus neglecting those emerging at a meso-level (reveals connections between player and team levels, de...

The aim of this article was to systematically review the methods adopted to collect and interpret external training load (ETL) using microtechnology incorporating global positioning system (GPS). The main deficiencies identified concerned the non-collection of match ETL, and the non-consideration of potential confounders (e.g. playing position, fit...

INTRODUCTION Performance in young soccer players is multidimensional. Physiological development, technical, and tactical skills, training experience all play important roles in game performance. A longitudinal design and appropriate analytical approach will provide valuable insights into the roles of growth, maturation and the environments on socce...

The present study aimed to investigate how team's tactical behavior varies within and between age categories in different Small-Sided and Conditioned Games' configurations and conditions. Twenty non-elite youth male soccer players (U15, n = 10, mean age = 13.5 ± 1.2 years; U17, n = 10, mean age = 16.3 ± 0.5 years) were selected. Thirty-six Small-Si...

INTRODUCTION: It is well-known that young soccer players´technicalplayers´technical, tactical and physical skills are building blocks for their success in competition [1]. Coaches and sport scientists usually assess such skills mainly using small-sided games (SSG) and test batteries (drills). This study aimed to verify the differences between tacti...

INTRODUCTION: Previous research has shown that non-dominance of feet is an important factor in a soccer players´ expertise and should be developed from early ages. This type of training is performed in decontextualized conditions or in isolated drill settings which raise issues related to its efficiency. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate w...

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate if player tactical skill level and age category influence team performance and player exploratory behavior in tasks with different difficulty levels. Method: In total, 48 youth male soccer players participated in the study (U15, n = 24, mean age = 13.06 ± 1.53 years; U17, n = 24, mean age = 16.89 ± 0.11 year...

In this study, a formula called the Golden Index was developed that calculates a value for each player according to their individual and collective performances. This method identifies the most important players, designated as Golden Players, in football attacking plays. This study was organized in two main phases: (1) selection, definition and val...

The research about soccer defensive phase shows many limitations regarding the procedures and operational definitions. The aims of this paper are to create an observational instrument based on Dynamic Systems concepts and evidence sufficient content validity to adequately and reliably recode defensive soccer behaviours. For these, a five-stage deve...

Aim: In this study, we sought to analyze the influence of the quality of opposition on players’ performance of Club Atlético de Madrid (ATM) 2016/2017. For that, the Golden Index (GI) formula was applied to identify and rank the Golden Players of ATM when playing against opponents of different quality levels. Methods: GI formula variables were col...

Four independent studies were conducted to examine the utility of the Arrowhead agility test (AAT) to measure change of direction (COD) capacity in soccer players, specifically: (i) inter-session reliability and minimum detectable change (n=24); (ii) power-dependent abilities associated to AAT performance (n=56); (iii) fatigue sensitivity (n=20); d...

Background: Street football can be understood as the most natural way to learn football and it can be a great starting point to develop perceptual, decisional, tactical and motor skills. Importantly, players involved in Street football may develop a strong emotional bond to the game through their experiences playing in an informal setting and event...

O presente estudo teve como objetivo analisar os padrões de jogo ofensivos da equipe campeã de futebol do Estado do Amazonas (Brasil) na temporada 2015. Analisaram-se cinco jogos, totalizando 341 sequências ofensivas. Utilizou-se o instrumento de observação SoccerEye, constituído por sete critérios: (1) Início da fase ofensiva; (2) Desenvolvimento...

We examined the influence of competitive standard of the opponent on activity profile and fatigue during preseason friendly soccer matches. Time motion analysis was performed in a male professional soccer team (N = 14) during six friendly games played against professional, semi-professional and amateur-level opponents (PL, SPL and AL). The referenc...

BACKGROUND: In Southern European countries it is very frequent to perform medium-sized games (MSG) as last training drill. We analyzed the individual variability and changes in activity patterns during MSG throughout the preseason. METHODS: Activity profile during MSGs (10v10+goalkeepers, duration: 10-min, field length: 50 m, width: 90 m, area per...

Introduction: Soccer training and completion is conventionally practiced on natural grass (NG) or artificial turf (AT). Recently, AT pitches for training/competition, and of unstable surfaces for injury prevention training has increased. Therefore, soccer players are frequently exposed to variations in pitch surface during either training or compe...

Objectives: We analysed the inter-individual relationship between training status and activity pattern in small-sided games (SSG) and full-sized games (FG). Methods: Fourteen Italian elite male senior football players were monitored during four training sessions incorporating SSG, and six FG, during the pre-season. Baseline measurements included, c...

p>Tactical behavior could be affected by changes in small-sided game (SSG) formats. The aim of the present study was to analyze the influence of different pitch lengths during 7-a-side SSGs played by young football players. Fourteen male soccer players in each age group (13 and 14 years old, U13 and U14 teams) were divided in two teams of seven pla...

The present study aimed to identify attacking game-patterns during small-sided games played by under-17 football players. SoccerEye observational protocol and recording software were applied in order to register the data, and SDIS-GSEQ software was used to perform the sequential analysis of the 260 attacking sequences. We have adopted a significanc...

O presente estudo analisou padrões de jogo ofensivos em situações de pequenos jogos praticados por jogadores de futebol sub-17. Recorreu-se ao protocolo de observação e software SoccerEye para o registo dos dados, e o software SDIS-GSEQ para a Análise Sequencial de Retardos das 260 sequências ofensivas recolhidas. Para a análise dos padrões de jogo...

Introduction Sand training (ST) has shown efficacy in achieving fitness compared to firmer traditional surfaces (i.e. natural grass) in soccer players (Impellizzeri et al., 2008). However, the lack of surface-specificity when performing ST for field-based players should be considered. Therefore , we addressed the present research to elucidate the s...

Research in soccer has traditionally given more weight to players' technical and tactical skills, but few studies have analyzed the motor skills that underpin specific motor actions. The objective of this study was to investigate the style of play of the world's top soccer players, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, and how they use their motor sk...

This study analyzed the influence of rules manipulation on offensive patterns in different Small-Sided and Conditioned Games (SSCGs). Fourteen young soccer players (13.82 ± 1.94 years) performed two different SSCG formats (6v6+Gk): Maintenance of Ball Possession Game (MPG) and Progression to the Target Game (PTG). Both games were played on a field...

Background: The use of sand has been suggested as fitness-enhancing surface in field-based team sports. However, concerns have arisen in regard whether physical responses associated to sand training are sport-specific. We compared physical and technical demands during small-sided football games (4v4 + goalkeeper; SSGs) played on artificial turf an...

Soccer research has traditionally focused on technical and tactical aspects of team play, but few studies have analyzed motor skills in individual actions, such as goal scoring. Besides, the study of skills in elite players is still largely based on subjective judgements. Versatility is closely linked to motor skills, as players with a mastery of t...

The effect of altered game formats on team performances during soccer practice can be harnessed by coaches to stimulate specific tactical behaviours. The aim of the present study was to analyse the influence of using (i) small goals [SG], (ii) goalkeepers [7G] and (iii) floaters [7GF] on the dispersion, shape and available space of teams during sma...

The aims of this study were (i) to characterise the acceleration demands of two different formats of small-sided game (SSG), i.e., 4v4 + goalkeepers (4v4 + GK) and 8v8 + goalkeepers (8v8 + GK); (ii) to analyse the correlation between performance in power-based tests and acceleration-based physical loading during the two different SSG formats and (i...

Soccer research has traditionally focused on technical and tactical aspects of team play, but few studies have analyzed motor skills in individual actions, such as goal scoring. The objective of this study was to investigate how Lionel Messi, one of the world’s top soccer players, uses his motor skills and laterality in individual attacking actions...

Soccer dynamics have evolved in response to environmental factors such as match status, type of competition, and competition stage. Observational analysis has shed light into the behavior of players, but few researchers have looked at the complexity of the interactions between players and their teams over time. Here we investigated the variables in...

Soccer dynamics have evolved in response to environmental factors such as match status, type of competition, and competition stage. Observational analysis has shed light into the behavior of players, but few researchers have looked at the complexity of the interactions between players and their teams over time. Here we investigated the variables in...

Soccer, Futsal and Beach Soccer are classified as team sports of invasion, thus having common characteristics. The aim of this study is: (i) to analyze the evolutionary trends concerning to the average number of goals per game and per competition; (ii) to analyze the incidence of goals regarding the periods of play they tend to occur; and (iii) to...

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5007/1980-0037.2014v16n5p545 The attacking performance in elite soccer is a complex process that is influenced by several situational variables, such as match status. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of match status on the configuration of attacking patterns of play performed by elite soccer te...

In soccer it seems relevant to understand the relationship between the ball recovering in different pitch zones and the subsequent success or failure of attacking play. However, few studies have considered the links between the type of ball recovery in different pitch zones, the competition stages and the overall teams success. The present study ai...

EVOLUTION OF ATTACKING PATTERNS IN ELITE-LEVEL SOCCER BETWEEN 1982 AND 2010: THE APPLICATION OF LAG SEQUENTIAL ANALYSIS KEY WORDS: Observational methodology, Sequential analy