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The influence of match location, quality of opposition, and match status on possession strategies in professional association football
Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine the effects of match location, quality of opposition, and match status on possession strategies in a professional Spanish football team. Twenty-seven matches from the 2005-2006 domestic league season were notated post-event using a computerized match analysis system. Matches were divided into episodes according to evolving match status. Linear regression analysis showed that possession of the ball was greater when losing than when winning (P < 0.01) or drawing (P < 0.05), and playing against strong opposition was associated with a decrease in time spent in possession (P < 0.01). In addition, weighted mean percentage time spent in different zones of the pitch (defensive third, middle third, attacking third) was influenced by match status (P < 0.01) and match location (P < 0.05). A combination of these variables and their interactions can be used to develop a model to predict future possession in football. The findings emphasize the need for match analysts and coaches to consider independent and interactive potential effects of match location, quality of opposition, and match status during assessments of technical and tactical components of football performance. In particular, the findings indicate that strategies in soccer are influenced by match variables and teams alter their playing style during the game accordingly.
... Thus, in order to effectively analyze this complex and dynamic environment, most researchers attempted to investigate the relationships between key performance factors (physical, technical, tactical) and team success [9,10]. For example, some authors analyzed the physical performance describing the match activity profiles of elite players [3,11] while others defined the technical/tactical components of the game [2,[12][13][14][15]. In particular, some studies observed differences between playing positions in both physical and technical activities of players [3,16], while others found a significant influence of situational (or contextual) variables, on key sport-specific movements [17] and on technical/tactical patterns of play [12]. ...
... For example, some authors analyzed the physical performance describing the match activity profiles of elite players [3,11] while others defined the technical/tactical components of the game [2,[12][13][14][15]. In particular, some studies observed differences between playing positions in both physical and technical activities of players [3,16], while others found a significant influence of situational (or contextual) variables, on key sport-specific movements [17] and on technical/tactical patterns of play [12]. In this context, performance analysis tools Sports 2023, 11, 46 2 of 10 have been used to summarize the intrinsic complexity of the football environment [18], providing a finite number of descriptive data (match statistics) as an objective and unbiased record of team performance. ...
... The inconclusive and sometimes conflicting results in the literature suggest further analyses, accounting for situational variables and different conditions [8,10]. Indeed, authors agree on recognizing a fundamental role of the contextual variables [12,20,25], as the empirical evidence highlighted the strong influence of these factors on physical and technical outcomes [7,26]. Furthermore, Yi et al. [2] argued that the nature and the relevance of the competition are strictly related to the technical and psychological attitudes of players and teams [2,15,27]. ...
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the evolution of technical performance indicators over the course of football matches in the UEFA Champions League. Three elite football teams were the sample of the present study and were analyzed throughout four consecutive seasons within the previously mentioned competition. Data from 15 min periods were collected from Wyscout and elaborated. The effects of match location and competition stage were analyzed on nine technical indicators, including ball possession and variables related to offense and goal scoring. The effects of independent variables were assessed both independently and combined. The results showed a significant increase in the frequency of occurrence and accuracy of most of the parameters towards the end of the match. The effect of match location was generally significant with higher rates for teams playing at home. Differences were noted between the two stages of the competition with higher values in the technical indicators registered during the group stage. The existence of significant differences between the initial and final periods of football games was suggested by the results. The so-called home advantage was confirmed. Different team approaches between longer stages (e.g., group stage) and elimination games (i.e., knockout phase) were suggested by the results.
... To our knowledge, to achieve success in the final ranking, teams must overcome different types of matches influenced by contextual-related variables, such as opponent quality (i.e., strong or weak [2]). Research has reported that the opponent's quality significantly influences team performance and match physical demands during soccer competitions [3][4][5]. Furthermore, match balance (i.e., the difference in the final ranking between two opponent teams) could be a factor in understanding the interaction between teams' performance and match physical demands [6,7]. ...
... Similar results have been found by Paraskevas et al. [26], where competing versus a "weak" opponent was related with more TD and TD > 21 km·h −1 covered during home games compared with away games. A possible explanation for this might be that top-ranked teams could be winning these unbalanced matches against the lowest quality teams, and during the matches they would use greater defensive activities because they preferred to decrease ball possession [3]. Another possible cause of this may be due to the need of these teams to win the matches to rise in the final ranking or to accomplish the goals at the end-season. ...
... The results reported that the TDWP and TDWP > 21 km·h −1 were significantly greater when teams played against the highest quality teams (MB1), both in L1 and L2. A possible explanation for this might be that playing against top-ranked teams could imply adverse results and, consequently, losing teams usually increase their percentage of possession to "control" the game by dictating play, while weakness in the opposition defense is sought [3]. In this line, Ponce-Bordón et al. [42] reported that the TDWP increased for each minute that teams were losing in the First Spanish Division. ...
(1) Background: This study analyzed the differences in match movement profiles according to opponent quality (i.e., match balance) in the professional Spanish soccer leagues over four consecutive seasons (from 2015/2016 to 2018/2019); (2) Methods: The ChyronHego® system was used to record competition movement data from all matches played in the First (Liga Santander; n = 1520) and Second Spanish Division (Liga Smartbank; n = 1848). The total distance (TD) and high-intensity running distance (TD > 21 km∙h−1) covered with and without ball possession (TDWP and TDWOP, respectively) were analyzed using a Linear Mixed Model, considering the opponent quality contextual variable; (3) Results: Results showed that teams covered a significantly greater TD when played against the lowest quality teams in L1 (p < 0.05), while in L2 teams covered a significantly greater TD when played against the highest quality teams (p < 0.05). Teams covered a significantly greater TDWP and TDWP > 21 km∙h−1 when playing against the highest quality teams in both L1 and L2 (p < 0.05). On the contrary, playing against the lowest quality teams in L1 versus the highest quality teams in L2 implied more TDWOP and TDWOP > 21 km⋅h−1 (p < 0.05); (4) Conclusions: The present study indicates that match movement profiles depend on contextually related variables.
... Soccer games are played in more numbers than ever and in a hotter climate, the health of the players isaffected, leading to their poor performances. There have been many studies 14,16 that proved the hotter climate can have serious consequences on the health of the players. In this current study, it was shown that the variation of oxygen uptake increased among the players. ...
... Therefore, a decrease in the running speed of the group 3 players was also observed. Many experts emphasize that diverse situational elements and/or contextual variables can affect the physical activity and technical abilities of soccer players 16 . Studies 15,16 have pointed out that some factors can significantly affect the performance in a soccer game. ...
... Many experts emphasize that diverse situational elements and/or contextual variables can affect the physical activity and technical abilities of soccer players 16 . Studies 15,16 have pointed out that some factors can significantly affect the performance in a soccer game. The factors like the physical environment of the place where it is being played include the average temperature of the area surrounding the stadium. ...
Objective:
The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of a hot environment on several physiological variables of soccer players and suggest feasible solutions to it.
Subjects and methods:
The study is of prospective design, considering 66 participants comprising professional soccer players. All the participants completed the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PARQ). The participants were assigned to 3 different groups. Each group was assigned 22 participants. They were made to play in three different chambers, maintained at cool, moderate and hot temperatures. Players were made to play and various variables were determined to assess the effect of hot temperature on them.
Results:
Several variables were determined including absolute and relative oxygen uptake, heart rate, minute ventilation, the blood concentration of lactate and time to get exhausted. All the variables of players who played in hot temperatures have revealed higher heart rate, ventilation and increased lactate concentration. Players in a hot environment ran out faster.
Conclusions:
The study was concluded due to the players' dehydration and physiological deteriorated factors in a hot environment, leading to poor performances and also affecting the players' health in the long run. Further, the study suggested improving the environment around the game venues.
... Conversely, weak teams tended to perform more possession play in the CSL. The strategy of "maintaining possession" may involve more slow play with defensive movements, lower risk when passing, and greater emphasis on regaining possession relative to teams who might place less importance on this strategy (Lago, 2009;Fernandez-Navarro et al., 2018. This playing style is also called indirect play, which is slower than direct play and uses many short passes, while weaknesses in the opposition defense are sought (Lago, 2009;Gómez et al., 2018). ...
... The strategy of "maintaining possession" may involve more slow play with defensive movements, lower risk when passing, and greater emphasis on regaining possession relative to teams who might place less importance on this strategy (Lago, 2009;Fernandez-Navarro et al., 2018. This playing style is also called indirect play, which is slower than direct play and uses many short passes, while weaknesses in the opposition defense are sought (Lago, 2009;Gómez et al., 2018). In addition, our study found that high-intensity running with the aforementioned ball possession and passing ability is the key to a high ball possession strategy based on the first and second PC (Bradley et al., 2013). ...
... Beijing Guoan, Shandong Luneng, and Shanghai SIPG tended to employ intensity play at home matches whereas they used a possession play style at away matches. This result is in accordance with previous studies indicating that the tactical strategies of fast tempo, crossing, and high pressure in the offense phase were higher at home in comparison with away matches (Lago, 2009). These styles of play also were regarded as the aggressive play that aims to create as many scoring opportunities as possible and seems to be the overall trend when the team is playing at home (Castellano and Pic, 2019;Praça et al., 2021). ...
Purpose
Playing styles play a key role in winning soccer matches, but the technical and physical styles of play between home and away match considering team quality in the Chinese Soccer Super League (CSL) remain unclear. The aim of this study was to explore the technical and physical styles of play between home and away matches integrating with team quality in the CSL.
Materials and methods
The study sample consists of 480 performance records from 240 matches during the 2019 competitive season in the CSL. These match events were collected using a semi-automatic computerized video tracking system, Amisco Pro ® . A k-means cluster analysis was used to evaluate team quality and then using principal component analysis (PCA) to identify the playing styles between home and away matches according to team quality. Differences between home and away matches in terms of playing styles were analyzed using a linear mixed model.
Results
Our study found that PC1 presented a positive correlation with physical-related variables such as HIRD, HIRE, HSRD, and HSRE while PC2 was positively associated with the passing-related variables such as Pass, FPass, PassAcc, and FPAcc. Therefore, PC1 typically represents intense-play styles while PC2 represents possession-play styles at home and away matches, respectively. In addition, strong teams preferred to utilize intensity play whereas medium and weak teams utilized possession play whenever playing at home or away matches. Furthermore, the first five teams in the final overall ranking in the CSL presented a compensated technical-physical playing style whereas the last five teams showed inferior performance in terms of intensity and possession play.
Conclusion
Intensity or possession play was associated with the final overall ranking in the CSL, and playing styles that combine these two factors could be more liable to win the competition. Our study provides a detailed explanation for the impact of playing styles on match performances whereby coaches can adjust and combine different playing styles for ultimate success.
... Wade's proposal on the attack has been collated and used in subsequent studies. [21][22][23][24] Matchs were recorded from public images broadcasted on television, and through a post-event record, thus ensuring respect for behavior spontaneity, as well as the registration in its natural environment. According to the Belmont Report 25 , the use of public images for research purposes does not require consent. ...
... Specifically, more successful attacks (goal, shot on goal or delivery into the area) are made in the second half. A possible explanation could be the tiredness of the rival team, which reduces their tactical performance, or the different styles of play 23,42 . On the other hand, the teams that initiate the attack through a transition (recovery of the ball during the game), are more successful than those that initiate through regulatory incidence, behavior that corroborates the previous work of Kirkendall et al. 43 , who observe that 62% of attacks begin after possession of the ball in women's football.The data in men's football still require more scientific literature on this aspect 44 . ...
... On the other hand, a statistically significant relationship has been found between the success of the attack and the time of possession, with possession in the opposite field (offensive zone of the observed team) being one of the variables that explain success. This result has been previously compared both in men's football in general 46 , and also in relation to the partial result in particular 23 , as well as in women's football 45 . In general, the best teams have the ball in the offensive zone, close to the rival goal, with the aim of seeking a finish. ...
Over the last few years there has been considerable increase in scientific knowledge about women’s football. However, the tactical and tactical‐strategic aspects have not yet been sufficiently covered in scientific literature. Therefore, this work proposed the following aims: to describe how the offensive phase is produced in women’s football, to identify the significant statistical criteria that may be modulating success in attack, and finally to propose different predictive success models, with the ultimate aim of passing this knowledge on to the applied field. The observational methodology was used, one of the most appropriate methodologies for the analysis of motor behaviors in sport. The units of analysis collected and analysed were 6,063 attacks carried out during the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 and France 2019. The available results demonstrate that, on the one hand, offensive team actions are ineffective (almost 70% finish unsuccessfully), but criteria such as the start form of the attack, zone of ball possession, partial match result or ball possession time are statistically significant criteria that modulate attack success (goal, shot or pass into the area). Lastly, the multivariate results allow us to propose a theoretical model, passing the probability of success from 31% in the absence of a model, to a theoretical auction probability of 52.6%, based on fast attacks with the intervention of few players, and with possession zone in the opposite field. These results could be directly transferred to the practical field where trainers and technical bodies can put this information into practice in training sessions or matches.
... Over the last few years, there has been an increased interest in the performance analysis of team sports (Lago-Peñas, 2009). Such analyses can help both the physical and tactical preparation of teams during the lead-up to competition (Carling et al., 2005). ...
... attacks, positional attacks, total ball possession, ball possession in the opponent half of the pitch, ball possession in the last third of the pitch, passes attempted, passes accurate, passes forward, crosses, lost balls, free balls picked up, and free balls picked up in the opponent half of the pitch). Thus, these factors must be considered while designing training sessions and analysing opposition teams (Bradley, Lago-Peñas, Rey & Gomez Diaz, 2013;Lago-Ballesteros et al., 2012;Lago-Peñas, 2009;Lago-Peñas & Martín, 2007). Moreover, it has not just been analysed the impact of the situational variables separately, but it has also been studied how the combination of them affect the performance of the teams (Lago-Peñas, 2009). ...
... Thus, these factors must be considered while designing training sessions and analysing opposition teams (Bradley, Lago-Peñas, Rey & Gomez Diaz, 2013;Lago-Ballesteros et al., 2012;Lago-Peñas, 2009;Lago-Peñas & Martín, 2007). Moreover, it has not just been analysed the impact of the situational variables separately, but it has also been studied how the combination of them affect the performance of the teams (Lago-Peñas, 2009). This has been implemented through a performance simulation of the team that finished the season in the 16th position. ...
The aim of this study was to assess the impact of situational variables, match location, quality of the opponent, and final result on the performance of the teams during an entire season (2016) of the Chinese Super League throughout 474 matches. Results showed that playing as an away team reduced the number of positional attacks per game, total ball possession time, possession in the final third of the field, possession in opponent half, passes attempted, passes accurate, crosses, passes forward, picking up free balls, and picking up free balls in opponent half. Final result only affected total attacks made per game and lost ball by the teams that finished the season between the 8th and the 16th position. These teams made an average of 99.29 attacks per game, which was lowered by 1.53 attacks for each goal that the team had in comparison with the opponent at the end of the match. In addition, number of lost balls was also reduced by 1.49 per game for each goal that one team had in comparison with the opponent at the end of the match. Overall, combinations of these variables could be used in order to predict the performance of soccer teams.
... Moreover, we did not examine the effects of match location on technical and tactical performances as a function of team quality. Several studies have revealed that team quality affects the degree of home advantage obtained in sport (i.e., Schwartz and Barsky, 1977;Madrigal and James, 1999;Lago-Peñas, 2009;Lago-Peñas and Lago-Ballesteros, 2011). ...
... In recent years this type of work has proliferated (Hughes and Franks, 2005; Lago, 2009) aiming to detect successful play patterns through the analysis of different game situations and different variables. Some of these studies focus their interest in studying the offensive phase (Ensum et al., 2000;James et al., 2004;Jones et al., 2004;Hughes and Franks, 2005;Lago and Martín, 2007;Acar et al., 2009;Lago-Ballesteros et al., 2012;Collet, 2013;Casal et al., 2015;Ric et al., 2016), others the defensive phase (Barreira et al., 2013;Vogelbein et al., 2014;Andujar, 2015;Mohammad et al., 2016;Ric et al., 2016) and others in the analysis of situational variables (Borrás and Sainz de Baranda, 2005;Tucker et al., 2005;Taylor et al., 2008;Lago, 2009Lago-Peñas and Dellal, 2010;Lago-Peñas and Lago-Ballesteros, 2011;De Oliveira, 2012;Sainz de Baranda and López-Riquelme, 2012;Sánchez Flores et al., 2012;Ardá et al., 2014;Casal et al., 2014Casal et al., , 2015. ...
... Stanhope (2001) also indicates that possession did not represent the successful teams of the 1994 FIFA World Cup, although it seems that the game strategies used by the successful teams have evolved over the years into a more possession based playstyle. Studies Lago and Martín (2007), Lago (2009), and Lago-Peñas and Dellal (2010) indicate that in the Spanish League greater possession is a feature observed in teams that are either losing or tying the game. Collet (2013) concludes that the effect of possession time in matches of the domestic league was negative, in the UEFA Champions League had no effect and in National team tournaments was not significant, leading to think that the influence of possession on success will depend on team capacity. ...
... Match status has been arguably analyzed enough to prove that it influences soccer teams' behavior [6]. In this vein, Lago-Peñas [7] reported that losing teams frequently increase their percentage of possession; meanwhile, certain winning teams preferred counterattacking or playing directly. In addition, match status clearly impacts teams playing style [5], and both variables (i.e., match status and playing style) also influence match physical demands; however, several studies about this topic have drawn the opposite conclusions. ...
... Based on previous findings obtained by the aforementioned studies, the following hypotheses were proposed. Firstly, concerning match physical demands with and without ball possession, it was expected that total distance with ball possession would be less during time winning [7]. Secondly, concerning position-specific match physical demands, it was expected that total distance would be greater in attackers during time winning and defenders during time losing, based on previous results [16,17]. ...
... Our results showed that TDWP decreased during time winning for all player positions and increased during time losing, therefore Hypothesis 1 was confirmed. These results suggest that during time winning, teams frequently decrease their percentage of possession, which could be associated to defending closer to the goal, counterattacking, or playing directly [7]. It has also been shown that teams that were ahead performed a higher number of defensive actions which, in turn, are related to lower ball possession levels during a match [31]. ...
The aim of the present study was to analyze the influence of time winning and time losing on position-specific match physical demands with and without ball possession in the top Spanish professional soccer league. All matches played in the First Spanish soccer league over four consecutive seasons (from 2015/16 to 2018/19) were recorded using an optical tracking system (i.e., ChyronHego), and the data were analyzed via Mediacoach®. Total distance (TD), and TD > 21 km·h−1 covered with and without ball possession were analyzed using a Linear Mixed Model, taking into account the contextual variables time winning and losing. Results showed that TD and TD > 21 km·h−1 covered by central midfielders (0.01 and 0.005 m/min, respectively), wide midfielders (0.02 and 0.01 m/min, respectively), and forwards (0.03 and 0.02 m/min, respectively) significantly increased while winning (p < 0.05). By contrast, TD and TD > 21 km·h−1 covered by central defenders (0.01 and 0.008 m/min, respectively) and wide defenders (0.06 and 0.008 m/min, respectively) significantly increased while losing (p < 0.05). In addition, for each minute that teams were winning, total distance with ball possession (TDWP) decreased, while, for each minute that teams were losing, TDWP increased. Instead, TDWP > 21 km·h−1 obtained opposite results. Total distance without ball possession increased when teams were winning, and decreased when teams were losing. Therefore, the evolution of scoreline significantly influences tactical–technical and physical demands on soccer matches.
... In terms of the match status criterion, its influence on success and offensive play has been studied in men's football [18][19][20] and, more recently, in women's football. 17,[21][22][23] However, the sample of these studies focused on a single championship, which may be a limitation in obtaining general conclusions for women´s football. ...
... 23 To tie up the results on a bivariate level, it can be highlighted that no statistically significant differences were found for the Possession Outcome criteria based on match status. This fact, which contradicts the results obtained in men's elite football, 18,20,40 shows that women's football teams are incapable of increasing situations of danger (i.e. goals, shots and crosses into the penalty area) when the score is not in their favour, proving the importance of scoring the first goal 12 (except for the small effect this variable may have when a team scores in the last minutes of the match) as was seen in this championship: 89% of the teams that scored the first goal won their matches. ...
There is little scientific knowledge about the influence of the match status criteria (winning, drawing, losing) in ball possessions in women’s football. Therefore, the aims of this study were: (i) to discover how technical-tactical criteria in ball possessions in women’s football are modified based on the match status, and (ii) to find out which criteria provide the best probability for offensive success (i.e. goal, shot, and sent to area) under the influence of match status. To this end, 2323 ball possessions were analyzed in the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019 using observational methodology. Two types of analysis were applied: firstly, a bi-variate analysis between match status and the rest of the criteria, followed by a predictive multivariate binary logistic regression analysis. The results obtained from the bi-variate analysis reveal the existence of significant statistical differences in the start and development of ball possessions in this championship depending on the match status. On the other hand, there was no evidence of differences when it comes to goal scoring, shots, and passes into the area based on these criteria. From the logistic regression models used, it was observed that there is a common pattern of success regardless of the match status, consisting of ball possessions that start in forward zones, in contexts of offensive interaction and with the intention of rapid progression toward the opponent’s goal. These results could be used for planning match and training strategies in elite women’s football.
... These results at the match level (in which the teams presented lower ball possession levels during a match) could imply that the teams performed a higher number of defensive actions which, in turn, are related to longer distances covered, as shown in other studies (Morgans, Adams, Mullen, McLellan et al., 2014). In this regard, it has also been shown that playing away from home significantly decreased the time spent in possession compared with playing at home (Bradley et al., 2014), and also when, in addition to playing away, the team plays against strong opposition (Lago-Peñas, 2009). But these results could also be explained by the differences in levels of possession achieved by a team in a match compared to their average levels of possession recorded throughout the season (e.g., Match x Team-level interaction). ...
... Examining the teams' physical demands with and without the ball, teams with higher ball possession levels also performed more high-intensity actions with the ball than teams with lower average ball possession (Carling, 2013). This could be explained due to other game aspects such as the fact that playing style based on high possession levels is related to shorter distances covered, especially in low-intensity speed sections (da Mota et al., 2016), or that playing against weak opposition is associated with high ball possession levels which, in turn, could lead to teams' lower physical demands (Lago-Peñas, 2009). ...
Purpose: Using a multilevel approach, this study analyzed the relationship between ball possession and distance covered at different speed sections: total distance (TD), distance covered between 14.1-21 km·h-1 (MIRD), 21.1-24 km·h-1 (HIRD), and > 24.1 km·h-1 (VHIRD). Methods: The sample included 1,520 matches played by 80 Spanish professional soccer teams across four consecutive LaLiga seasons (from 2015/2016 to 2018/2019). Two observations were collected per match, one from each team, resulting in a total of 2,950 records (760 per season). Data were collected using Mediacoach®. Results: At match level (i.e., grand-mean centered), ball possession negatively predicted all distances covered. At team level (i.e., group-mean centered), ball possession negatively predicted total distance covered and distance covered between 14.1-21 km·h-1. Furthermore, cross-level interactions (Match X Team) in ball possession negatively predicted all distances covered at speeds above 14.1 km·h-1. Specifically, in high-possession teams, the negative relationship between match ball possession and distances traveled at all speed ranges above 14.1 km·h-1 was stronger than in teams with medium or low possession. Conversely, match ball possession was positively related todistance covered at low intensities, and negatively related at high intensities in low-possession teams. Conclusion: These findings show practitioners and researchers that the distances covered at different speed ranges depend on technical-tactical parameters such as ball possession.
... Acceleration and deceleration data are used in a variety of studies, such as descriptive and validation studies (Linke et al., 2018;Ryan et al., 2020). The data in these studies are often used to describe the movements of players, player positions and teams, often with the inclusion of contextual variables as they influence the data (Barrera et al., 2021;Lago, 2009;Sullivan et al., 2014). Examples of contextual variables include actions that precede or follow acceleration and deceleration, opponent level and match score-line (Barrera et al., 2021;Lago, 2009;Sullivan et al., 2014). ...
... The data in these studies are often used to describe the movements of players, player positions and teams, often with the inclusion of contextual variables as they influence the data (Barrera et al., 2021;Lago, 2009;Sullivan et al., 2014). Examples of contextual variables include actions that precede or follow acceleration and deceleration, opponent level and match score-line (Barrera et al., 2021;Lago, 2009;Sullivan et al., 2014). The data can be applied in a variety of contexts, such as to mimic specific movement demands or quantify training load Suarez-Arrones et al., 2016;Wisbey et al., 2010), where variables related to acceleration and deceleration activities are one of the most commonly used variables to monitor training load (Akenhead & Nassis, 2016). ...
The application of acceleration and deceleration data as a measure of an athlete's physical performance is common practice in team sports. Acceleration and deceleration are monitored with athlete tracking technologies during training and games to quantify training load, prevent injury and enhance performance. However, inconsistencies exist throughout the literature in the reported methodological procedures used to quantify acceleration and deceleration. The object of this review was to systematically map and provide a summary of the methodological procedures being used on acceleration and deceleration data obtained from athlete tracking technologies in team sports and describe the applications of the data. Systematic searches of multiple databases were undertaken. To be included, studies must have investigated full body acceleration and/or deceleration data of athlete tracking technologies. The search identified 276 eligible studies. Most studies (60%) did not provide information on how the data was derived and what sequence of steps were taken to clean the data. Acceleration and deceleration data were commonly applied to quantify and describe movement demands using effort metrics. This scoping review identified research gaps in the methodological procedures and deriving and cleaning techniques that warrant future research focussing on their effect on acceleration and deceleration data.
... (Continued ) studies [7,25,48,64]. Sarmento et al. [36] compared the ball possession strategies for the two consecutive seasons from 2013 to 2015 in EPL, La Liga, Serie A and Bundesliga League and pointed out that the playing styles in different leagues were influenced by many factors, such as regional culture, coaching philosophy [22] and the technical and tactical ability of players [65]. English Premier League teams prefer direct attack. ...
... Lago-Peñas [65] 27 matches from 2005-2006 seasons in La Liga. ...
The purpose of this review was to investigate the influence of the performance indicators related to ball possession on the match outcome and team performance. Following the PRISMA 2020 (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses) guidelines, this systematic review searched for literature on Web of Science, Scopus and Pub Med database, the publication date of the retrieved literature is set from 'running performance'. The search returned 2,436 articles. After screening the records against set criteria, 75 analysis were made, and their technical and physical indicators were identified. Through analysing ball-possession related variables, the review concluded that the match outcome is not related to ball possession percentage. The ball possession percentage is not dominant to predict the match success. The status of ball possession percentage can affect the team's performance in passing, organizational and running distance with the ball possession. There are league differences in ball possession strategies and duration. The frequency and offensive efficiency of direct ball recovery types are higher than indirect types. Ball possessions regained in the defensive third were higher than the final third. However, there remain some limitations such as the difference in the definition of concepts and sample participants, only a few studies consider the influence of situ-ational variables and lack of in-depth analysis on ball possession strategy. Therefore, further study should adopt a more comprehensive approach, establishing a new connection between possession strategy and more technical and tactical indicators.
... Considering that playing against high-quality opponents has been linked to lower ball possession (Lago, 2009), it is often considered that teams utilizing lower ball possession have to run more to regain the ball, while teams preferring possession strategies generally run less (Bradley et al., 2013;DiSalvo et al., 2009). However, empirical evidence from previous research which investigated the effect of ball possession on physical performance of elite players are not consistent. ...
This study aimed to examine the effects of low-percentage ball possession teams (LPBPT) and high-percentage ball possession teams (HPBPT) on the physical and technical performance of UEFA Champions League (UCL) players. All data were obtained from group stage matches of UCL during the 2020/21 season using a semi-automatic optical tracking system. Linear mixed model was fitted with contextual variables as covariates. Wide midfielders and forwards in LPBPT covered more total distance, low-intensity running, and achieved greater average speed than in HPBPT (all large effect sizes [ES]). Central defenders and fullbacks covered more high-intensity running (small ES), while CMs covered more sprinting (medium ES) in HPBPT than in LPBPT. Players on all playing positions produced greater number of passes and successful passes in HPBPT than in LPBPT (large ES), except forwards who produced more passes in LPBPT than in HPBPT (small ES). Both physical and technical performance were highly dependent on ball possession percentages, with evident position-specific changes, indicating that the effect of ball possession is highly position-dependent. These findings provide information for soccer coaches on physical and technical demands across teams with varying percentage ball possession, which could be used to individualise training programs based on playing style and position.
... However, analysing separately offensive and defensive phase of game, noteworthy differences be- indicating that running characteristics of the most elite soccer players in the defensive phase of game greatly differ compared with lower-standard players. Taking into account previously introduced assumption that higher standard players prefer to utilize ball possession strategies [36], such increased activeness of most elite soccer players in defensive phase of game is probably consequence of their collective attempts to regain ball possession from the opponent [37]. ...
In order to identify match running performance (MRP) characterizing the most elite soccer match-play, this study aimed to examine position-specific differences in the MRP of players competing in “big five” (BFLTs) and “non-big five” league teams (N-BFLTs). The data were obtained from 24 teams (BFLTs; n = 14, N-BFLTs; n = 10) during the UEFA Champions League (UCL) matches (n = 20) in the 2020/21 season using a semiautomatic video system. The differences in MRP between BFLTs and N-BFLTs, while controlling for contextual factors, were examined using linear mixed model. No differences in overall MRP between fullbacks, central midfielders, wide midfielders and forwards from BFLTs and their peers from N-BFLTs were found, while only central defenders from BFLTs covered more high-intensity running than central defenders from BFLTs (moderate effects size). For players on all playing positions from BFLTs, total- and low-intensity distance covered were lower in offensive phase of game and greater in defensive phase of game compared to their peers from N-BFLTs (all large effect sizes). This study demonstrated that the most elite match-play in soccer is characterized by increased efforts in defensive phase of game, and decreased efforts in offensive phase of game. Soccer training programmes should be adapted accordingly.
... One of the reasons for this development concerns the increased use of technologies that allow a new understanding of the game [1,2] and a better explanation of the performance factors (physical, technical, and tactical) that characterize teams and players [3,4]. Likewise, scientific research in football has improved the capacity to explain the game [5] and understand the impact of contextual variables (e.g., venue, match status, quality of opposition, and match period) in the style of play and the tactical behaviour of the teams [6,7]. Such knowledge allow coaches to identify the important aspects that support the design of training sessions and ensure a better transfer of practices to competition, i.e., improve the performance of their teams and players [8]. ...
This study aimed to characterize the passing patterns that support collective tactical behaviour in football players of different ages (U15, U17, and U19) in different field zones. Two hundred and twenty-eight male players, divided into U15, U17, and U19, participated in the study. Cluster analysis was used to group the passes into three sizes (short, medium, and long). The chi-square test was used to analyse the effect of player age on game-passing patterns in each field zone. The results revealed that long and medium passes were used more in areas close to the goals and short passes in the middle area of the field, concerning all ages (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the analysis of the relative distance between the ball carrier and the receiver indicated that older players (U17 and U19) used more distant players to pass the ball in medium and long passes. These results can help coaches design small-sided games according to the players' ages and adjust to the field's space and the numerical relationship, thus creating a greater transfer from training to competition.
... This pattern is observed in soccer, with losing teams having greater possession in the attacking half, and more likely to increase their use of build-up and sustained threats plays which increased a team's level of game possession, and winning teams having greater possession in the defensive half, and increased use of direct attacks [24,25]. ...
... defensive duties demanded of forward players), may be highly contingent on the varying task and environmental constraints across matches, such as quality of opposition, match location, or consequently, match status. 28 The diminished accuracy in predicting match actions that are secondary to the individual's primary playing position possibly suggests that practitioners involved in player recruitment or player selection should be cautious about placing too much emphasis on the potential offensive contributions of defensive players and vice versa. ...
Short-term forecasting of performance in football is crucial in week-to-week decision making. The current study presented novel contributions regarding the considerations that should be accounted for in the prediction of match actions performed in competitive matches. First, the study examined whether the quantity and recency of training data used to build a prediction model significantly influenced predictive accuracy. Three prediction models were built with the exponential moving weighted average (EMWA) method, each differing in the quantity of training data used (three, five, and seven preceding match days). Next, the study examined if contextual constraints, such as type of match action being predicted, playing position, or player age, significantly influenced predictive accuracy. Match action data from players in the top five European leagues were collected from the 2014/2015 to the 2019/2020 seasons. The model trained using less but more recent data (three preceding match days) demonstrated the greatest accuracy. Next, within the offensive and defensive phases, match actions differed significantly in predictive accuracy. Lastly, significant differences were found in prediction accuracy between playing positions, whereby actions associated with the primary task of the playing position were more accurately predicted. These findings suggest that in the forecasting of individual match actions, practitioners should seek to train the prediction model using more recent data, instead of including as much data as possible. Furthermore, contextual constraints such as the type of action and playing position of the player must be keenly considered.
... The connection between the players of the home team was better and the success rate of group work was higher [8]. However, HA would be also influenced by the strength of the team [28]. Strong teams play better at home and away. ...
Background
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 season Chinese Super League (CSL) was held in neutral venues, this study aims to analyse the impact of removing home advantage (HA) in CSL.
Method
240 games of the CSL 2019 season (home and away double round-robin system) and 160 games of the 2020 season (in neutral venues) were analysed. 27 technical and tactical performance indicators were involved as dependent variables. A multiple linear regression model was established to analyse the influence of removing HA on the performance indicators.
Results
After moving from home stadium to neutral venue in 2020 season, goal, shot, shot on target, shot from outside box, shot from inside box, shot on target from inside box, corner kick, key pass, cross, breakthrough, tackle decreased significantly ( p < 0.05), while yellow card and foul increased steeply ( p < 0.05). Comparing with playing away match, in neutral venue, free kicks and pass accuracy enhanced radically ( p < 0.05), while tackle, clearance and block shot dropped noticeably ( p < 0.05).
Conclusion
When removing HA and playing in the neutral venue, teams' performance dropped significantly. This study confirmed the positive impact of HA on the teams' performance and may help elite football teams make proper playing strategies regarding different match locations.
... However, some studies associating ball possession with the outcome of the match have shown that teams modify ball possession depending on the outcome of whether they are winning, are in a draw or losing the match. On the one hand, researches by Jones et al. (2004), Lago & Martin (2007), Lago-Peñas (2009), Lago-Peñas andDellal (2010) and Barreira et al. (2011) show that teams losing the matches had longer time of ball possession. On the other hand, researches by Bloomfield et al. (2005), Taylor et al. (2008), Casal et al. (2019) and Maneiro et al. (2020) show the opposite from these results, claiming that a longer time of ball possession is observed in teams winning the matches. ...
Aim: the aim of this research is to show the relations, effects, and interactions of ball possession, won duels, and goals scored inside the penalty area in the European Football Championship, Euro 2020. Methods: the research involves 24 final stage teams in the tournament and the above-mentioned relevant factors for the success of the match were analyzed. The percentage of ball possession is divided into three groups (low, medium, and high), the percentage of won duels are divided into two groups (low and high), while all goals scored inside the penalty area are taken into account for the success of the match. Two-way factorial variance analysis ANOVA was used to calculate the main and intercept effects. Findings: ball possession has shown a significant main effect ((F2,18) = 17.60, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.66), which means that teams, depending on the percentage of ball possession, showed differences in goals scored within the penalty area. Duel winning has shown no statistically significant main effect ((F1,18) = 2.09, p > 0.16, ηp2 = 0.10). Therefore, the success of scoring goals probably does not depend on the percentage of won duels. Interaction, ball possession and duel winning show statistically significant effects ((F2,18) = 4.16, p < 0.03, ηp2 = 0.31) for the success of the match, respectively goals scored within the penalty area. Discussion: ball possession from a low to a medium percentage is influenced to some extent by won duels in relation to the success of goals scored within the penalty area, while teams with a high percentage of ball possession and a low percentage of won duels managed to achieve a larger number of goals within the penalty area.
... Lactic acid is produced in the muscle and before it reaches the bloodstream a large part of it can be metabolized in the muscles or organs. (Lago, 2009). In a study by Achenbach et at., (2022), they found that" blood lactate concentration values observed indicate that the rate of muscle lactate production, and hence the contribution of anaerobic energy sources, may be high during elite team handball match-play, hence indirectly supporting the notion that temporary fatigue might occur in male elite team handball". ...
Handball is a dynamic game and requires from the subjects an intense physical effort and a great psychic commitment. The handball training process has to solve a whole series of performance skills that are found in the handball game, in this respect in order to achieve both the offensive actions with accuracy and speed and to block the actions of the opposing team. The sooner handball players recover after training or matches, the more work can be done, and the increased levels of training translate into more efficient games. Swimming in general is associated with performance sports but also as a means of recreation and improvement of the quality of life, the horizontal position favouring this. In this regard we have investigated the efficiency of swimming in eliminating lactate from the blood, and increasing the quality of sleep after intense efforts, in the sense of optimizing sports efficiency. The study carried out on twenty amateur athletes handball players, aged between 19 and 25 years, being divided into two equal groups. The experiment group (Group 1), after intense effort, performed an active recovery with specific elements of swimming for 20 minutes at an intensity of 55-60% relative to the maximum heart rate, and the control group (Group 2) during this time achieved a passive recovery. The results of the study have shown that specific elements of swimming, after intense efforts, cause significant changes in the elimination of lactate from the blood and provide a quieter sleep for amateur athlete’s handball players members of the experiment group.
... In this regard, varying the proficiency of the opposing team has been shown to be effective for capturing how the team adapt and self-organises (Folgado, Duarte, Fernandes, & Sampaio, 2014;Gonçalves et al., 2019). In fact, previous reports from Gk + 10vs10 + Gk competitive matches have shown that facing teams of superior quality (i.e. based on the teams ranking) contributes to lower ball possession (Lago, 2009), higher distance covered, and higher movement synchronization (Folgado, Duarte, et al., 2014) compared to matches against weaker opponents. Notwithstanding the balanced scenarios in terms of the numerical situation (i.e., each team has ten field players and a goalkeeper), the differences in their tactical, technical and physical performance may contribute to identifiable differences in player performance between conditions. ...
This study explored how varying the number of creative opponents affects youth players’ per- formance during football small-sided games (SSGs). Initially, 60 players from 3 different age groups with n = 20 in each (under-9, U9; under-11, U11; and under-13, U13) were tested during SSGs to rank them according to their creative potential. Based on these rankings, four players shown to possess with a medium creative potential were assigned to the intermediate team for each age group. This team competed against a team on which players with high creative potential were progressively included (from one to finally all four players, 1C to 4C) during a 4-a-side plus goalkeeper SSG. The results showed that U9 players increased the individual space explored when facing more creative opponents (p = .012), while the U11 (p = .026) and U13 (p < .001) only increased when facing 2C and 3C. Playing against more creative opponents induced more vari- ability in the distance to own (p = .046) and the opponent team’s centroid (p = .046) in the U9, regularity in the U11 (team centroid, p < .001; opponents’ centroid, p = .001) and lower regu- larity in the U13 (team centroid, p = .013 opponents’ centroid, p = .009). These distinct move- ment patterns seemed to reflect the differences in players’ perceptual and motor skills. A higher creative score was found against 1C (vs 2C and 4C, p = .006) and 3C (vs 4C, p = .006) in the U9. The results from the effect sizes indicated higher values on the players’ attempts, fluency and versatility when facing 1C to 3C, whereas a clear decrease was observed against 4C for all age groups. Hence, moderate and high demanding scenarios prompt the emergence of new behav- iours while extremely high demanding scenarios (i.e. 4C) seem to constrain all the creativity components. Overall, adding creative players mostly impacts the team’s collective behaviour rather than the players’ creativity-related skills.
... For the top three teams in the 2018 World Cup, the difference in the use of covering areas and paths may be due to teams of different playing styles actively adopting their own style of play. Evidence indicates that stronger teams dominated ball possession against their opponents and shows that more stable patterns of play independently of the evolving score-line (Lago, 2009;Lago-Peñas and Dellal, 2010). Previous studies also have shown that both FC Barcelona and Manchester United (in the 2011 UEFA Champions League Finale) were possession-play teams (Sarmento et al., 2014a), although Manchester United was not as strong as FC Barcelona in that match, the players still had been trying and insisting on passing and controlling in the midfield area in the Finale (Liu and Hohmann, 2013a). ...
Purpose
In football, attacking has seen evolving for decades and attacking pattern detection is an important topic in this sport. The purpose of this study was to identify the general and threatening attacking patterns of different playing styles in world top football matches, which represented the latest evolvement of soccer attacking.
Methods
Attacking sequence data of the top three teams from 21 matches in the 2018 World Cup were collected. The three teams were classified into two playing styles according to a previous study, France was a direct-play team, and Croatia and Belgium were possession-play teams. The football field was divided into 12 zones and Markov transition matrix-based zone models were applied to assess the attacking pattern in the 21 matches. Both descriptive analysis and simulative analysis were conducted using this model.
Results
The results revealed that (1) flanker attacks were frequently taken among all three teams, and possession playing teams (Croatia and Belgium) played more often than direct playing teams (France) in their center of the midfield zone and (2) forward passes across/through zones toward the middle of attacking quarter (A1/4) have a positive impact of creating a chance of a goal.
Conclusion
Using Markov transition matrix, general and threatening attacking patterns were found. The combination of possession play and counterattack was a new trend that emerged in the 2018 World Cup. These findings can help coaches to develop corresponding strategies when facing opponents of different playing styles.
... Futbolda maç analizleri, sportif başarıya yol açan faktörleri daha iyi anlamasını sağlamak amacı ile son zamanlarda ilgi gören bir araştırma konusu olmuştur (García-Rubio ve diğerleri, 2017; Lago, 2009;Sampaio ve diğerleri, 2010;Caro ve diğerleri, 2010;Fernandez-Navarro ve diğerleri, 2018). Dijital teknolojinin gelişimi ile futbolda analitik yazılımların ön plana çıkışı günümüzde antrenörlerin performans verilerini daha doğru analiz edip değerlendirmeleri açısından önemli bir seviyeye ulaşmıştır (Hughes 2004). ...
ZET Bu araştırma Türkiye Süper Ligi 2020-2021 sezonunda oynanan maçların sonuçlarına göre ilk 5 ile son 5 sırada bitiren takımların seçilmiş performans parametrelerini karşılaştırmak amacıyla yapılmıştır. Yirmi bir takımın karşılaştığı ve toplamda 400 maçın oynandığı bu ligde ilk 5 ve son 5. sırada bitiren takımların tüm maçları değerlendirmeye alınmıştır. Araştırmada kullanılan veriler www.mackolik.com adlı internet sitesinden elde edilmiştir. Verilerin normal dağılım gösterip göstermediğini belirlemek için Shapiro-Wilk testi uygulanmış ve verilerin normal dağılım göstermediği tespit edilmiştir. Normal dağılım göstermeyen verilerde bağımsız iki grup arasındaki farklılığı tespit etmek için, non parametrik testlerden Mann-Whitney U testi uygulanmıştır. Veriler ortalama ve standart sapma olarak verilmiş ve istatistiksel olarak p<0,05 düzeyi anlamlı kabul edilmiştir. Elde edilen araştırma sonuçlarına bakıldığında topla oynama yüzdesi, ikili mücadele başarısı yüzdesi, başarılı hava topu yüzdesi, toplam pas, rakip sahada başarılı pas yüzdesi, orta, toplam şut sayıları, ceza sahası dışından ve içinden atılan şut oranlarında gruplar arasında istatiksel olarak anlamlı bir farklılık tespit edilmiştir (p<0,05). Sonuç olarak, başarılı takımların performans parametrelerine bakıldığında toplu oyunun içinde yer alan birçok değişkende sayısal olarak daha iyi olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Bu ve buna benzer çalışmalar, antrenörlerin takım performansını arttırmak ve başarılı olmak için antrenman ve maç hazırlıklarına yardımcı olabilir. ABSTRACT This research was conducted to comparıson of selected performance parameters of the teams that finished in the top 5 and the last 5 places according to the results of the matches played in the Turkish Super League 2020-2021 season. In this league where twenty-one teams met and 400 matches were played in total, all matches of the teams that finished in the top 5 and the last 5 places were evaluated. The data used in the research were obtained from the website www.mackolik.com. Shapiro-Wilk test was applied to determine whether the data showed normal distribution and it was determined that the data did not show normal distribution. Mann-Whitney U test, which is one of the non-parametric tests, was used to determine the difference between two independent groups in the data that did not show normal distribution. The data were given as mean and standard deviation, and the p<0.05 level was considered statistically significant. According to the research findings, when the results are examined, there are statistically significant differences between the groups in the percentage of ball playing, the percentage of duel win, the percentage of successful air ball, the total pass, the percentage of successful passes in the opponent's field, crossing, the total number of shots, the rate of shots taken from outside and inside the penalty area. A difference was detected (p>0.05). As a result, when the performance parameters of the successful teams are examined, it has been determined that many variables in the collective game are numerically better. This and similar studies can help coaches in training and match preparations to increase team performance and be successful.
... Nevertheless, the team that does not score first suffers an adverse effect, which causes a decrease in the players' confidence and group cohesion (Bar-Eli et al., 2006). Likewise, Lago (2009) shows that whoever scores first adopts a more conservative strategy to try to reduce the opponent's chances. ...
The aim of the present study was to analyse the influence of different contextual variables in the qualifying phases of the UEFA Champions League finalists from 2000 to 2020, and study the association between the different performance indicators. The sample was composed of 232 matches from all the qualifying phases. The data was analysed through a descriptive analysis to know the characteristics of the sample; a chi-square test was used to examine the degree of association between the contextual variables, and a logistic regression to know the effect or prediction of the variables on the qualifying phase. The results showed no difference between the champion and the runner-up in each of the qualifying rounds even though the chi-square test statistic indicated a high association between scoring the first goal and winning the match in both the first and second rounds, and in each qualifying round, which ranges this probability of victory between 86% and 94%. In addition, it is noteworthy that in the first leg of the semi-finals, both finalists had a 100% chance of winning the match when they are the first to score a goal. Therefore, the main findings of this study show that the contextual variable of scoring first is the best performance indicator to predict which team will win the match and go through to the next phase of the UEFA Champions League. However, it could be confirmed that there are no other contextual variables that could differentiate the future champion and runner-up, suggesting that winning the championship is decided in the final match.
... Tradicionalmente, se ha considerado que, para ser útiles, los indicadores de rendimiento deben estar relacionados con el éxito en los marcadores de partidos (Hughes y Bartlett, 2002). La literatura sobre el análisis del rendimiento en waterpolo es reciente, hasta ahora la investigación disponible ha tratado de identificar las características del rendimiento tanto en competición masculina como femenina ( (Lago, 2009; Lago y otros, 2010; Taylor y otros, 2008), así como en el comportamiento de los entrenadores (López-Laval y otros, 2021). Incluso el patrón de carga de entrenamiento posteriores al partido, parece verse afectado por las variables situacionales (Oliveira y otros, 2021) y sobre la percepción de esfuerzo recibido en los deportistas (García y otros, 2021). ...
The current study aims to appraise the possible effects of contextual variables on offensive effectiveness indicators in the Spanish Professional First Water Polo League. The variables were: match location, quality of opposition and starting quarter score. A post-event match of eighty-eight matches from the 2011-2014 domestic league seasons was carried out by means of a computerized notational analysis system. The contextual variables were independent variables, whereas indicators of offensive effectiveness were dependent variables. Univariate analyses (ANOVA test; Student´s t-test, Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whitney U test and Generalized Linear Model Test) indicated that the percentages of successful even attacks, power-play, counterattack, even shots, power-play shots, counterattack shots, shots from zone 1, zone 2, zone 3, zone 4 and zone 5, drive shots, shots after 1 fake, shots after 2 fakes, and shots more than 2 fakes, were influenced by a least one of the three contextual variables. Training aspects should focus particularly on preparing potential effects of match location, quality of opposition, and quarter initial score, on the indicators of offensive effectiveness of water polo performance, creating specific practice tasks. Future research should confirm whether the trends identified in Spain are also verified in the water polo leagues of other countries.
El presente estudio tiene por objetivo evaluar los posibles efectos de las variables contextuales sobre los indicadores de efectividad ofensiva en División de Honor Masculina de Waterpolo en España. Las variables contextuales fueron: localización de partido, calidad del oponente y marcador al comienzo del cuarto. Se llevo a cabo un análisis post partido de ochenta y ocho partidos correspondientes a las temporadas 2011-2014 mediante un sistema de análisis notacional. Las variables independientes fueron las variables contextuales, mientras que los indicadores de efectividad fueron las variables dependientes. Los análisis univariados (ANOVA, t de Student, Kruskal-Wallis, U de Mann-Whitney y modelo lineal generalizado) indicaron que los porcentajes de éxito de: ataques en igualdad, superioridad, contrataque, lanzamientos en igualdad, lanzamientos en superioridad, lanzamientos en contrataque, lanzamientos desde zona 1, zona 2, zona 3, zona 4 y zona 5, lanzamientos directos, lanzamientos después de 1 finta, de 2 fintas y más de 2 fintas, fueron influenciados por alguna de las tres variables contextuales. Los entrenamientos deberían centrarse particularmente en preparar para los posibles efectos sobre los indicadores de efectividad ofensivos de la localización de partido, calidad del oponente, y comienzo del marcador en cada cuarto, creando tareas específicas. Futuras investigaciones deberían confirmar si estas tendencias identificadas en España son también confirmadas en ligas de waterpolo de otros países.
O objetivo deste estudo e avaliar os possíveis efeitos de variáveis contextuais sobre os indicadores de eficácia ofensiva na Divisão de Honra do Polo Aquático Masculino na Espanha. As variáveis contextuais foram: local da partida, qualidades do adversário e pontuação no início do quarto. Uma análise pós-jogo de oitenta e oito partidas correspondentes as temporadas de 2011-2014 foi realizada usando um sistema de análise notacional. As variáveis independentes foram as variáveis contextuais, enquanto os indicadores de eficácia foram as variáveis dependentes. Análises univariadas (ANOVA, t de Student, Kruskal-Wallis, Mann Whitney U e modelo linear generalizado) indicaram que as percentagens de sucesso de: ataques a igualdades, superioridades, contra-ataque, tiros na igualdade, tiros nas superioridades, tiros no contra-ataque, jogadas da zona 1, zona 2, zona 3, zona 4 e zona 5, arremessos diretos, arremessos após 1 finta, 2 fintas e mais de 2 fintas, foram influenciados por qualquer uma das três variáveis contextuais. Os treinamentos devem focar principalmente na preparação para os possíveis efeitos nos indicadores de eficácia ofensiva de localização da partida, qualidade do oponente e início da pontuação em cada trimestre, criando tarefas específicas. Pesquisas futuras devem confirmar se essas tendências identificadas na Espanha também são confirmadas nas ligas de polo aquático em outros países
... For example, home teams presented greater running demands (Aquino et al., 2018), higher total distances (Assis, 2016), and greater deceleration (Díez et al., 2021) than away teams. Similarly, playing away against strong opposition decreased team possession compared with playing at home (Lago, 2009). Recently, Travassos et al. (2022) investigated three balanced home matches from a Premier League team with 91 ball possessions in which a pass was performed into the opposition defensive area and overpassed the first defensive line. ...
Purpose
Spectators have a significant impact on match performances in soccer, but to what extent crowd support contributes to the technical and physical performances remains unclear. This study aimed to (1) investigate the differences in terms of technical and physical performances with and without spectators; and (2) identify the key factors differentiating between win and loss when playing with and without the presence of an audience.
Methods
Our study examined 794 performance records from 397 matches during the 2019–2020 seasons in the Chinese Soccer Super League. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO)-logistic regression was utilized to select significant predictors. Using an independent t -test and the Mann–Whitney non-parametric test explores the difference between matches with and without spectators. Key factors between win and loss were explored using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.
Results
Our study found that cross ( p < 0.01, ES = −0.24), shots ( p < 0.001, ES = −0.25), and shot accuracy ( p < 0.05, ES = −0.18) displayed decreasing trends whereas sprint distances ( p < 0.05, ES = 0.16) presented an increasing trend without spectators comparing with the crowd support. Moreover, the above three technical variables were the main factors differentiating between wins and losses. Similarly, team and opponent quality remained important potential factors affecting the match outcome.
Conclusion
Match outcome or team performance is determined by a myriad of factors, but there are clear differences in technical and physical performances between matches with and without the presence of an audience. Similarly, our study provides a better explanation for the impact of crowd support on match performances whereby coaches can deploy players and adjust match strategies for ultimate success.
... The TD covered in training while preparing for the competition showed a significant difference at all the 3 levels, with the players analysed in our study covering the longest distance against middle-level teams, followed by top-and bottom-level teams. Playing against strong opponents has been associated with lower ball possession [37,38], and it is possible that higher distances were covered in an attempt to regain possession. Further, the EL during the preparatory phase could be related to the outcome of the previous match. ...
Purpose. The study aim was 2-fold: to quantify and compare the weekly external training load that preceded matches; to compare in-match activities depending on the opponent level (top, middle, bottom) in a top-level team from the first professional Asian national league. Methods. The load for 6 matches played against top-, 11 against middle-, and 11 against bottom-level teams was monitored. With a 15-Hz Global Positioning System, total duration, total distance, high-speed (18-23 km • h-1) running distance, sprint (> 23 km • h-1) distance, maximal speed, acceleration zone 1 (AccZ1) (< 2 m • s-2), AccZ2 (2-4 m • s-2), AccZ3 (> 4 m • s-2), deceleration zone 1 (DecZ1) (>-2 m • s-2), DecZ2 (-2 to-4 m • s-2), DecZ3 (<-4 m • s-2), player load, and metabolic power were collected in 12 players. Results. DecZ3 showed higher values against top-level compared with middle-(effect size [ES] = 0.91) and bottom-level opponents (ES = 1.50). The training was significantly longer against middle-level compared with top-and bottom-level opponents (all, p 0.001). Total distance was bigger against middle-level compared with top-(p = 0.011, ES =-0.92) and bottom-level opponents (p = 0.027, ES = 1.50). AccZ2 presented higher values when middle-level came close compared with bottom-level opponents (p = 0.05, ES = 0.79). Conclusions. Opponent's level influences the load experienced by soccer players during matches. Total distance, high-speed running distance, AccZ1, and AccZ2 exhibited higher training values when a win or a draw approached. Decelerations in all zones were highest in matches against top-level teams. Citation: Nobari H, Ramachandran AK, Oliveira R. The influence of opponent level on professional soccer players' training and match performance assessed by using wearable sensor technology. Hum Mov. 2023;24(2); doi: https://doi.org/10.5114/ hm.2023.117164.
... number of passes, number of dribbling's, number of shots) match performance of individual players, the influence of different contextual factors on individual soccer match performance was examined in different studies [3][4][5] . For example, the origin of the league, the competitive level, and the quality of the opposition team impact the physical and technical match performance of soccer players [6][7][8] . Besides these contextual factors, tactical variables which could potentially influence match performance have recently received increasing attention. ...
The number of investigations that specifically address the influence of formation on soccer performance has increased in recent years. Since there is no overview that summarizes these effects, this systematic review aims to synthesize the available literature on the effects of tactical formation on physical and technical match performance. According to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, a systematic search was performed (Databases: PubMed and Web of Science). Studies were included, if they reported any physical (e.g., sprinting distance) or technical (e.g., number of passes) match performance parameters and compared at least two different formations. The study outcomes were synthesized descriptively. The effect of formation on physical performance was investigated in ten studies while three studies investigated the effect on technical performance (11 studies included). The studies revealed that formation has an effect on the physical and technical match performance of soccer players both in a team and at a positional level. On a team level, smaller differences were observed for formations that are similar in the number of players in each playing position (i.e., 4-5-1, 4-2-3-1). Furthermore, physical match performance was higher in formations with three defenders (e.g., 3-5-2) in comparison to formations with four defenders (e.g., 4-4-2). On a positional level, all positions were affected in a similar way by formation. Therefore, formation affects the physical and technical match performance of soccer players and if the playing position is also considered, the results become even more meaningful. The studies were very heterogeneous regarding their methodology (i.e., parameters, sample size). The findings can help coaches to design their training programs and to prepare the players for a specific positional role depending on the tactical formation.
... Match location, quality of opposition, and match status have also been found to strongly impact sports performance [64][65][66]. Notwithstanding, the present umbrella review revealed that only five systematic reviews considered match location. As previously mentioned, 45.8% of the systematic reviews made no mention of any of the abovementioned contextual factors. ...
Background
Match analysis has evolved exponentially over the past decades in team sports resulting in a significant number of published systematic reviews and meta-analyses. An umbrella review of the available literature is needed to provide an integrated overview of current knowledge and contribute to more robust theoretical explanations of team performance.
Methods
The Web of Science (all databases), PubMed, Cochrane Library (Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews), Scopus, and SPORTDiscus databases were searched for relevant publications prior to 19 February 2021. Appraisal of the methodological quality of included articles was undertaken using the tool for Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR-2). Twenty-four studies were reviewed that met the following criteria: (1) contained relevant data from match analyses in team ball sports; (2) were defined as systematic reviews or/and meta-analyses; and (3) were written in the English language.
Results
The overall methodological quality of the 24 included reviews, obtained through the AMSTAR-2, revealed very low confidence ratings (Critically Low, n = 12) for the results of most systematic reviews of match analyses in team ball sports. Additionally, the results showed that research is focused mainly on four levels of analysis: (1) dyadic (microlevel); (2) individual (molecular level; predominant); (3) group (mesolevel), and (4) team dynamics (macrolevel). These levels of analysis included tactical, technical, physical, and psychosocial variables. Team performance was contextualized at two levels, with reference to: (1) match context (e.g. match status, match location, match period, quality of opposition) and (2) sociodemographic and environmental constraints (sex, age groups, competitive level, altitude, temperature, pitch surface).
Conclusions
The evolution of methods for match analysis in team ball sports indicates that: (1) an individual-level performance analysis was predominant; (2) the focus on intermediate levels of analysis, observing performance in dyadic and group interactions, has received less attention from researchers; (3) neglected areas of research include psychosocial aspects of team sports and women’s performance; and (4) analyses of match contexts need greater depth.
Registration : The protocol was registered in the International Platform of Registered Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols with the number 202080067 and the DOI number https://doi.org/10.37766/inplasy2020.8.0067 .
... Los estudios sobre el rendimiento en el fútbol, cada día dan más claridad sobre los diferentes componentes complementarios de las acciones de juego: técnico-tácticos (Karpa et al., 2021), físicos (Casamichana et al., 2021), psicológicos (Ivarsson et al., 2020). El análisis de datos, permite identificar el papel individual y colectivo de los deportistas; determinando comportamientos que evidencian el proceso multi factorial del juego a partir de: variables situacionales, la ubicación del partido (el resultado parcial y final del partido, local/visitante), la calidad del equipo rival (Fernandez-Navarro et al., 2018), el estado del partido, tipo de competición, ronda clasificatoria (Lago, 2009) y parámetros de desempeño deportivo como: zonas de lanzamiento, posesión de balón, zona del campo dónde se ejecuta la acción, tiros y goles marcados (Clemente et al., 2016), acciones a balón parado (ABP) (Maneiro et al., 2021)(Fernández-Hermógenes et al., 2017 herramientas determinantes para analizar y cuantificar el comportamiento de un equipo. Estas acciones permiten describir eventos que ocurren dentro del terreno como: pase, conducción, regate, disparo a portería, entre otros; ayudando así a pronosticar y explicar el rendimiento (Gréhaigne et al., 2001). ...
El objetivo del presente estudio fue examinar la influencia de las variables categóricas y el componente de éxito en las secuencias de finalización durante los playoffs del fútbol profesional colombiano (FPC) clausura 2017. La muestra estuvo conformada por 243 acciones de finalización ejecutadas en los 14 partidos de los playoffs del torneo clausura 2017 del FPC. Los datos se trataron bajo metodología observacional descriptiva, con un diseño ideográfico, puntual y multidimensional y un sistema de categorías teniendo en cuenta el formato de campo mixto del instrumento de observación VATOF (Valoración de Acciones Tácticas Ofensivas en Fútbol). El nivel de acuerdo (inter-observador) y la fiabilidad (intra-observador) fue calculada a través del índice de kappa de Cohen, (Cohen, 1960); con nivel de acuerdo inter observadores (p= . 95) e intra observador (p= 1). De acuerdo con los resultados de este estudio, se evidencia una tendencia clara hacia el juego defensivo por parte de los equipos del FPC; falta de elaboración de juego, creación y aprovechamiento de espacios libres manteniendo la posesión de balón para el desarrollo de juego por bandas con efectividad de remates, así como una mayor interacción entre jugadores que garantice una elaboración organizada y con profundidad de juego para la concreción de las acciones en gol. El análisis del rendimiento técnico-táctico a partir de variables categóricas, puede permitir a los entrenadores establecer características y demandas del juego y diseñar planes de entrenamiento acordes con las exigencias de la competición. Abstract. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of categorical variables and the success component in the finishing sequences during the 2017 Colombian professional football playoffs. The sample consisted of 243 finishing actions during the 2017 Colombian professional football playoffs, treated under descriptive observational methodology. With an ideographic, punctual and multidimensional design and a system of categories taking into account the mixed field format of the instrument designed. According to the results of this study, there is a clear tendency towards defensive play on the part of the FPC teams; lack of game development, creation and exploitation of free spaces while maintaining possession of the ball for the development of wing play with effective finishing, as well as greater interaction between players to ensure an organised development and depth of play for the concretion of the actions in goal. The analysis of technical-tactical performance from categorical variables can allow coaches to establish characteristics and demands of the game and to design training plans in accordance with the demands of competition.
... finished the season in the 'top eight') in that respective season. 26 For example, if a team that made the finals played a team that did not, then the quality of opposition was defined as 'worse'. Similarly, for a match where both teams did not make finals that season, the quality of opposition for both teams was considered as 'balanced'. ...
Objectives
To examine the effects of match-related contextual variables on positional groups and success in the National Rugby League (NRL).
Methods
Data relating to match location, match outcome, quality of opposition and match type (absolute score differential) from all matches across the 2015–2019 NRL seasons were collected, in addition to 14 previously identified Factors (technical performance indicators). A decision tree, grown using the Exhaustive Chi-square Automatic Interaction Detector (CHAID) algorithm, was used to model the effect of each of these match-related contexts on positional contribution according to match outcome.
Results
The accuracy of the exhaustive CHAID model in explaining the influence of positional groups on match outcome was 66%. The model revealed four primary splits: interchange forwards, utility backs, adjustables and a group containing the remaining three positional groups (forwards, backs, and interchange).
Conclusions
Results suggest that interchange forwards, utility backs and adjustables could have a definitive role within the team compared to the remaining positional groups in determining match outcome. In contrast to team-level research, there is a greater emphasis on the importance of defensive actions (e.g. try causes, tackles made) at a positional level than attacking performance indicators. The moderate classification accuracy justifies the use of this approach for examination of the interactions between match-related contextual variables, performance indicators and positional groups.
... To increase understanding of a coach's coherence between practice and game performance, practice should be assessed with greater resolution in order to measure the learning process of training contents, especially plays. Besides that, contextual variables related to the opposition in the game, 44,45 expertise level of players and the assessment of coach's perspective about the mostly performed plays 46 should favor the interpretation of the team's choices in the game as well. ...
An important task of a basketball coach is to transfer information between game performance and team preparation. Therefore, the goals of this study were twofold: i) to define a framework encompassing the steps of team strategy, training practices, and game performance – the Team Learning Cycle (TLC); ii) to test TLC’s support for evaluation of team preparation-competition coherence with a junior basketball team. Team plays were assigned as an independent variable, systematically measured along the TLC. Frequency, diversity, and efficiency (points per possession) of plays performed in a game were compared both with alternatives of plays in the team strategy and emphasis during practices. TLC was implemented in a customized software for improving data acquisition reliability. We used a cluster analysis to group team plays according to similarities of offensive features and we applied Bayesian methods to compute the posterior distributions of the parameters describing minutes planned for team plays and training variables. Plays proportions were compared between practices and game. The 25 plays variations were grouped in seven clusters suggesting strategic diversity. Training presented significant tendencies towards offense phase, with opposition (emphasis on tactics) and situational practices (games and competition) – p(robability) > .90. The seven clusters of plays had a large variance in their training volume. The most frequently performed plays in the game were not those most trained but they had the most points per possession in the game. Results evidence the TLC may help coaches interpret the ongoing learning process of the team, improving team’s preparation.
... In support of this finding, other studies [27], [28] also found that winning teams have less possession percentage. Also, another research [29] stated that winning teams have lower possession percentage because they start to play with less risk, a well-structured defensive strategy, and place more players between the ball and its own goal. So that they can also prevent possible goal-scoring opportunities. ...
... 12 In addition, three situational variables were recorded for each individual match observation: match outcome (loss, draw, or win), match location (home or away), and the numerical difference between the end-of-season rankings of the two competing teams (for example, if the team ranked 1st in the season plays against the team ranked 10th, the value of this variable for the players of the first team would be −9, while for the players of the second team it would be 9). 13 Statistical analyses were conducted using the software R version 4.0.3. 14 Linear mixed models were adjusted using the R package lme4 15 in order to analyze the effects of age on players' match performance according to playing position (Age × Playing Position). ...
Objectives
This study aimed to examine the effects of age on match-related physical and technical-tactical performance in elite soccer players using a longitudinal design.
Methods
Data were collected from 154 players who competed in the Spanish first division (LaLiga) between the 2012–13 and 2019–20 seasons. A total of 14,092 individual match observations were analyzed using a computerized tracking system (TRACAB, Chyronhego, New York, NY). The players were classified into five positional roles: central defenders (CD; n = 37); external defenders (ED; n = 44); central midfielders (CM; n = 34); external midfielders (EM; n = 22); and forwards (F; n = 17).
Results
The main results showed that (a) soccer players decreased by an average of 0.56% their total distance (TD) covered for each year that they got older. Similarly, the number of high-intensity efforts (N of HIR) and distance covered at high-intensity running (HIR) decreased by 1.80% and 1.42% per year, respectively; (b) elite soccer players significantly increased their pass accuracy by an average of 0.25% each year that they got older; (c) the detrimental effect of age on TD and HIR were greater for ED, EM, and F; and (d) the positive effect of age on pass accuracy were greater for CD and CM.
Conclusions
This study provides new evidence on the relationship between match performance in elite soccer and ageing effects using a longitudinal design. Players with long-term careers were unable to maintain their physical performance as they got older. However, players can annually improve their technical-tactical skills with increasing age as a possible compensation mechanism against physical performance declines related to ageing.
... Despite the existence of such studies in the literature focusing on the performances of teams who play away games or on the effects of locations on achievement (e.g., Lago, 2009;Pickens, 1994;Sampaio et al., 2008), studies evaluating away matches in terms of autobiographical memory of fans are extremely limited. In this respect, this study will contribute to the sports marketing literature as well. ...
The purpose of this study is to identify the effect of the away game involvement, community identification, and autobiographical memory towards the satisfaction of away games in the context of professional football (soccer). Unlike previous studies, which relied on the participation behavior of fans and their team identification, this study is based on the autobiographical memory of fans who attend away games in Turkey. A total of 204 fans were reached who had minimum one away game experi-ence. The data were subjected to reliability, validity, confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modeling procedures. In order to test the structural model created for the purpose of the research, a questionnaire study was carried out with football fans. Results indicated that there were significant relationships between team identification and away game involvement (R2 = .80, p < 0.01). Additionally, the relationship between away game involvement and autobiographical memory was significant (R2 = .95, p < 0.01). This study showed that autobiographical memory has an important effect on game satisfaction (R2 = .89, p < 0.01), while giving sports marketers a more active role in the engagement process through nostalgic cues. Our study has significant implications as to how well sports team managers design sports marketing and fan engagement strategies based on autobiographical memory.
... Whereas a team looking to control the game by maintaining possession may play passively, keeping the ball away from the opposition by using shorter passes around the midfield and backs, until an opportunity to attack arises. Top teams are more successful at retaining possession for longer periods than bottom teams (Lago, 2009;Tenga & Sigmundstad, 2011) reflecting a bottom team's likelihood to play direct. The offensive intent of a team is revealed by analysing the interaction between game actions and tempo, as it highlights how and where a team moves the ball and their ability to engage with the defence, which would not be apparent by studying either game style category on their own. ...
Characterising a team's game style is a performance analysis approach that captures game events, and groups them into profiles using clustering techniques to identify the consistent (and winning) strategies a team implements. The aim of this study was to identify the game styles of international hockey teams. Video footage from the 2019 Pro League tournament (n = 74 female and n = 57 male matches) were analysed retrospectively using a notational analysis system in SportsCode™. Variables were arranged into six game style categories (established attack game actions, counter attack game actions, established attack success, counter attack success, set pieces, tempo) and two game style types identified per category using a k-means clustering algorithm. Decision trees were used to identify the influence of extrinsic and intrinsic match factors on the probability of a team playing a particular game style. Opposition and other reference team game style categories were shown to be more important in predicting a game style category than contextual factors. Examination of team profiles highlights how different strategies are successful for different teams such as high-intensity attack or absorbing pressure and counter attacking. This performance analysis process provides practical insights into the holistic performance of international hockey teams.
... Portanto, a definição dos objetivos e dos métodos deverá ser o primeiro passo para que a análise seja, além de abrangente, específica quanto aos aspectos mais relevantes do comportamento tático, do técnico, das capacidades cognitivas, volitivas, físicas e biomotoras dos jogadores analisados. E é nisso que se assenta a função nuclear da análise do jogo: a caracterização das exigências impostas aos jogadores em situação treino, de prestação esportiva e do comportamento individual e do coletivo (LAGO, 2009). Além de caracterizar as exigências do contexto esportivo é função da análise de jogo aferir a capacidade de resposta dos jogadores de futebol aos constrangimentos do jogo e aos pressupostos do modelo de jogo e de treino preconizados. ...
... Portanto, a definição dos objetivos e dos métodos deverá ser o primeiro passo para que a análise seja, além de abrangente, específica quanto aos aspectos mais relevantes do comportamento tático, do técnico, das capacidades cognitivas, volitivas, físicas e biomotoras dos jogadores analisados. E é nisso que se assenta a função nuclear da análise do jogo: a caracterização das exigências impostas aos jogadores em situação treino, de prestação esportiva e do comportamento individual e do coletivo (LAGO, 2009). Além de caracterizar as exigências do contexto esportivo é função da análise de jogo aferir a capacidade de resposta dos jogadores de futebol aos constrangimentos do jogo e aos pressupostos do modelo de jogo e de treino preconizados. ...
... All of these have been shown to influence performance. [66][67][68] Likewise, the players' tactical background (i.e. coaching and experience with certain formations) were also disregarded by studies and could have considerable implications for the results of technical-tactical skill assessments. ...
Skill assessments are essential to elite soccer coaches and clubs, to provide an evidence-based approach to player evaluation. Valid methods thereby support talent identification and development procedures (e.g. scouting and training strategies). However, it remains a complex challenge. Small-sided games have emerged as a promising tool, due to high ecological validity. Until now, no review has focused on their discriminative power. Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether technical–tactical skill assessments of small-sided games can discriminate between individual players and between teams of different skill levels (i.e. higher vs. lower playing levels and older vs. younger players) in soccer. A scoping review of PubMed, Web of Science, and MEDLINE databases was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines. A total of 23 studies were included, all but one of which showed at least good methodological quality (i.e. > 50% score in quality assessment). For technical skills, small-sided games indicate discriminative power for passing skills, but only when comparing players of different playing levels, as supported by two of the included studies. Tactical categories, such as movement variability and decision-making, were more pronounced in higher level and more experienced players. However, the most conclusive finding among individual skill assessments was that the technical–tactical overall performance (a total score comprised of different subcategories) of individual players showed a positive relation to skill level in three studies. Team performance assessments in small-sided games showed that older and higher level teams mainly distinguish themselves from less-skilled peers by using the available space more efficiently. With the influence of different assessment instruments and several small-sided games modifications in mind, it may be concluded that technical–tactical skills in small-sided games can discriminate between players and teams of different skill levels. An interesting future avenue is to examine a more consistent approach to skill assessments in small-sided games, which can warrant their use for scouting and talent identification purposes.
... The evidence suggests that when male football teams are winning, the team usually creates a positive psychological momentum and mindset that makes winning more probable [9]. When scoring first, the conceding team tend to have a higher ball possession than when drawing or wining [22,23]. Additionally, losing teams tend to make more mistakes (e.g., ball interceptions by a rival, fewer clearances) [24] and show more high-intensity actions [14,25], positioning the losing team in a technically and tactically disadvantageous position. ...
Background:
Scoring first seems to be a determinant in professional football playing; several factors could influence the development of the match and the outcome. This study aimed to identify which factors could influence scoring first and impact match outcomes in professional European female football.
Methods:
There were 504 official matches held on 74 match days during the 2018-2019 professional female European football seasons (Primera Iberdrola, D1 Féminine, and Frauen-Bundesliga), analysed using a notational and inferential assessment.
Results:
There was a direct positive relationship (p < 0.05) between scoring first and winning the match; 75.9% of the winning teams scored first. Moreover, those teams that usually scored first had a better final league classification (p < 0.05). These relationships were not influenced by home or away conditions.
Conclusions:
Scoring first is a determinant in the outcomes of professional European female football matches. Physical and tactical training and programming should focus on those variables, leading female teams to score first.
This study verified the effects of the maturity status on the interactions of young soccer players in small-sided games. The sample included 81 players (14.4 ± 1.1 years). Anthropometric measurements of body mass, height, sitting height, and bone age were obtained (TW3 method). The multidimensional evaluation involved the following tests: Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (YYIRT1), Counter Movement Jump (CMJ), Repeated Sprints Ability (RSA), observational analysis of techniques, and interactions performed by players in small-sided games. The relationship between the set of evaluated variables within each maturity status was obtained from the correlational analysis of networks (P > 0.05). The maturity status explained a significant portion of the variance in body mass (Ƞ ² =0.37), height (Ƞ ² = 0.30), sitting height (Ƞ ² =0.30), and performance on the YYIRT1 (Ƞ ² =0.08), CMJ (Ƞ ² =0.14), and RSA (Ƞ ² =0.13). No effect of maturity status on network-based centrality measures of young athletes was identified (P > 0.05). For the late maturity group, there was a correlation between the degree of centrality and physical growth indicators (r mean =0.88). For players with maturation “on time”, physical growth indicators relate to the degree of prestige (r mean =0.36). It is concluded that body size and bone age impact how late and on-time maturity groups interact within the match.
El fútbol femenino está experimentando un notable crecimiento desde hace unos años a esta parte. La investigación científica debe estar a la vanguardia de este crecimiento, proponiendo recomendaciones con aval científico que ayude a mejorar la toma de decisiones en el campo aplicado. En el presente estudio se analiza una de las variables contextuales más estudiadas en fútbol masculino de alto rendimiento, como es la influencia del resultado parcial en las posesiones de balón. Para ello, se han recogido y analizado 6063 posesiones de balón realizadas durante los dos campeonatos del mundo más recientes, el FIFA Women´s World Cup 2015 y 2019. Para ello, se han llevado a cabo dos tipos de análisis: en primer lugar, un análisis univariado para conocer incidencia, eficacia y prácticas habituales de este tipo de acciones; en segundo lugar, a nivel bivariado, se pretende conocer la posible influencia del resultado parcial (ganando, empatando o perdiendo) en los diferentes criterios considerados. Los resultados disponibles indican que las posesiones de balón son acciones que tienen una alta incidencia durante los partidos, pero con un índice de eficacia muy reducido). A nivel bivariado, el resultado parcial sí modula el comportamiento de ciertos criterios como la forma de inicio de la posesión, la duración, el número de pases o el contexto de interacción. Los resultados del presente estudio pueden ayudar a las entrenadoras de fútbol durante su labor al frente de los equipos. Palabras clave: resultado parcial, fútbol, femenino, metodología observacional, rendimiento
Women's football has been experiencing notable growth for a few years now. Scientific research must be at the forefront of this growth, proposing scientifically backed recommendations that help improve decision-making in the applied field. In the present study, one of the most studied contextual variables in high performance men's soccer is analyzed, such as the influence of the partial result on ball possessions. To do this, 6063 ball possessions made during the two most recent world championships, the FIFA Women's World Cup 2015 and 2019, have been collected and analyzed. To do this, two types of analysis Cita: Maneiro, R.; Losada, J.L.; Ardá, A.; Iván-Baragaño, I. (2023). Descrifrando la influencia del resultado parcial sobre las posesiones de balón en fútbol femenino: un estudio observacional. Cuadernos de Psicología del Deporte, 23(1), 282-295
No research has investigated the effect of opponent world ranking (WR) on locomotor activity within modern (post-2015) international men's hockey. A retrospective analysis of 71 matches (vs. 24 opponents, WR# 12 ± 11, WR# 1–86) investigated the relationships between opponent ranking at team and positional levels, on locomotor activity. Data were analysed using linear mixed modelling to; (1) explore relationships between opponent ranking and locomotor activity and (2) to compare between predefined ranking groups (WR# 1–8 ‘HIGHER’ [ n = 8], WR# 9–17 ‘SIMILAR’ [ n = 8] and WR >#18 ‘LOWER’ [ n = 8]), relative to the reference team (WR# 11). Significant relationships were found between opponent world ranking and total distance ( β = −6.11; p = 0.003), high-speed running ([HSR], β = −4.87, p < 0.001), sprint distance ([SD], β = −2.41, p < 0.001), sprint efforts ([SE], β = −0.10, p < 0.001) and average speed ( β = −0.19, p < 0.001), but not low-speed running ( β = −0.94, p = 0.57). When analysed by ranking groups, HSR, SD and SE increased against HIGHER (+12%–14% vs. grand mean, p < 0.05) and reduced against LOWER teams (−15%–18% vs. grand mean, p < 0.05). The largest differences in SD were observed in forwards (HIGHER +14% and LOWER −19%) and defenders (HIGHER +20% and LOWER −18%). In international hockey, average speed is greatest when facing higher-ranked rather than similarly ranked opponents. Furthermore, high-speed but not low-speed activity, is modulated by opponent ranking.
Since soccer is the most prominent sport in Europe—not to mention the world—it is no wonder that deep strategizing has become the norm in its management models. In this study we extract from real data the hidden and nontrivial relationships that have developed within the game in order to further the current understanding of how a team's performance is premised on its tactical and financial choices. We adopt, for the first time—in combination with an ordered logit model—inequality indexes at the team level. Our analysis uses a large and unique dataset that includes all of the teams from the top five European national championship leagues, including detailed player and team statistics. The results differ between the top-tier and medium-to-bottom tier teams and highlight an overall strategic evolution over the last decade.
The study aimed to analyze the temporal incidence of goals in a state competition and the relationship of the opening goal with final match scores in different age/competitive levels. We analyzed 526 matches from the under-15, under-17, under-20 and professional levels from three state soccer tournaments in 2018, held in the state of Rio de Janeiro, were analyzed. Data was obtained through the website of the Rio de Janeiro State Soccer Federation. Descriptive analysis (means and standard deviation) and the Shapiro-Wilk normality test were performed. The Kruskal Wallis (non-parametric data) and ANOVA (parametric data) tests were performed to compare goals according to time interval. The association between the opening goal and the final match score was verified using the Friedman test. The Wilcoxon test was used for pairwise comparisons. The significance level was set at p <0.05. No significant differences between the time intervals were observed regarding the incidence of goals. With respect to the association between the opening goal and the final match score, significant differences were found (p <0.001) for all age levels in the comparison between wins and losses and in the comparison between wins and draws. It was possible to infer that scoring the opening goal may increase a team’s probability of winning the match.
The technical and physical demands of elite soccer match-play may vary considerably across a season and from season-to-season in relation to a myriad of factors. The aim of this study was to investigate the technical and physical performance trends over five consecutive seasons (2016–2021) for twenty-two soccer players from a team participating in an elite European league, the Russian Premier League (RPL). Match data were recorded and analysed via an Optical Tracking System, and a selection of technical and physical performance variables were examined. From matches analysed, we observed small within-season changes (ES 0.17 to 0.37) for technical performance variables, and small to moderate changes (ES 0.31 to 0.86) for physical performance variables. Dribbles, percentage of successful dribbles, total distance covered, high-intensity and sprint distances, and maximal acceleration showed an average increase from the 2016–2017 to the 2018–2019 season, followed by a decrease in the subsequent seasons. Conversely, tackles, high-intensity accelerations and peak acceleration showed a decreasing trend from the 2016–2017 to the 2020–2021 season. Moderate to large correlations (r = −0.58 to 0.46) were apparent between changes in technical and physical variables. In summary, we observed between-season changes in match technical and physical variables in a RPL team, while there were no differences between the first and second phases of the season. The present findings may provide coaches with knowledge about long-term variations in technical and physical match performance, that can be practically useful to assess and interpret change in individual and team performance.
The aim of this study was to examine the effects of the menstrual cycle on vertical jumping, sprint performance and force-velocity profiling in resistance-trained women. A group of resistancetrained eumenorrheic women (n = 9) were tested in three phases over the menstrual cycle: bleeding phase, follicular phase, and luteal phase (i.e., days 1–3, 7–10, and 19–21 of the cycle, respectively). Each testing phase consisted of a battery of jumping tests (i.e., squat jump [SJ], countermovement jump [CMJ], drop jump from a 30 cm box [DJ30], and the reactive strength index) and 30 m sprint running test. Two different applications for smartphone (My Jump 2 and My Sprint) were used to
record the jumping and sprinting trials, respectively, at high speed (240 fps). The repeated measures ANOVA reported no significant differences (p � 0.05, ES < 0.25) in CMJ, DJ30, reactive strength index and sprint times between the different phases of the menstrual cycle. A greater SJ height performance was observed during the follicular phase compared to the bleeding phase (p = 0.033, ES = −0.22). No differences (p � 0.05, ES < 0.45) were found in the CMJ and sprint force-velocity profile over the different phases of the menstrual cycle. Vertical jump, sprint performance and the force-velocity profiling remain constant in trained women, regardless of the phase of the menstrual cycle.
RESUMEN El portero como jugador de campo viene siendo utilizado por la mayoría de entrenadores de futsal en situaciones de emergencia, relacionadas con un marcador adverso en los momentos finales del partido. El objetivo del presente estudio fue identificar como el impacto alcanzado por determinadas variables contextuales puede dejar instalado un estado de criticidad durante el juego que puede ser coincidente con el portero jugador. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 11.446 acciones, correspondientes a 1.325 partidos de la Liga Española de Futsal durante 5 temporadas (2010-2015). Se realizó un análisis descriptivo utilizando tablas de frecuencias que hicieron posible definir la escala de nivel crítico coincidente con portero jugador. Los resultados enfatizaron la relación de simultaneidad que parece existir entre la utilización del portero como jugador de campo y un marcador desfavorable cuando queda poco tiempo para finalizar, lo que es sinónimo de tener que afrontar una situación crítica a través de un procedimiento táctico de riesgo. Las tendencias aquí identificadas podrían ayudarán a los entrenadores a hacer un uso más racional y equilibrado del procedimiento. Palabras Clave: análisis de rendimiento, futsal, portero como jugador de campo, criticidad, variables contextuales ABSTRACT The goalkeeper as an outfield player is being used by most of the futsal coaches in emergency situations, related to an adverse scoreboard in the final moments of the game. The aim of the present study was to identify how the impact achieved by certain contextual variables can leave a criticality state installed during the game that may be coincident with the goalkeeper as an outfield player. The sample consisted of 11,446 actions, corresponding to 1,325 Spanish Futsal League matches from seasons 2010-2015. A descriptive analysis was made using frequency tables that made it possible to define the critical level scale coinciding with goalkeeper as an outfield player. The results emphasized the simultaneity relationship that seems to exist between the use of the goalkeeper as an outfield player and an unfavourable scoreboard, when there is little time left to finish, which is synonymous with having to face a critical situation through a procedure tactical risk. The trends identified here could help coaches to make a more rational and balanced use of the procedure.
The aim of the present study was to investigate the factors associated with goals and goal scoring opportunities in soccer taking into consideration a broader range of performance indicators. The study was part exploratory but, based on the current literature, we also developed some a priori predictions. In particular, it was predicted that (a) most goals would be scored within the penalty area (> 70%); (b) approximately 30% of goals would be scored from set plays and (c) the majority (> 70%) of goals would be scored from a relatively short (< 4) passing interchange. Data was collected from 1788 attempts and 169 goals for an English FA Premier League season. The Web-soft snapper performance analysis tool was used to time code when attempts on goal were made and the associated behaviours relating to the attempt on goal. All a priori predictions were supported. The binary logistic regression identified 3 covariates which had a significant (P < 0.05) impact on goals scored. This included position of attempt; goal keepers' positions and type of shoot. Transitions in play accounted for 63% of all goals scored and well over half of all attempts on goal. Although similarities were evident between this and previous literature, this investigation also highlighted the importance of other key variables associated with goals and goal scoring opportunities. The high contribution of factors associated with transitions in play helped to uncover the importance of tracking goals and goal scoring opportunities back to their point of origin.
Existing investigations of strategies in soccer using notational analysis have traditionally focused upon nomothetic analysis of international competitions such as World or European Championships (i.e., Luhtanen et al., 2001; Yamanaka, et al., 2001). To enhance the applied benefit of notational analysis idiographic assessment of teams, strategies are required to establish meaningful normative profiles (Hughes et al., 2001). A need also exists to examine individual player behaviours to determine potential influences upon team strategies. The aim of the current study was to assess the strategies of a team in both domestic and European competition over a competitive season. Matches of a British professional soccer team were analysed using a computerised behavioural measurement package with regard to frequency and duration of possession in designated areas of the soccer field. European matches were characterised by more play in pre-defensive areas at the expense of pre-offensive areas compared to domestic matches. Attacking play was found to occur more frequently down the right hand side of the pitch in domestic compared to Europe. Variability was also observed between ball possession and passing difficulty made by individual players in each pitch area. The findings suggest that differences in tactical strategies are evident at both individual and team levels as a function of the nature of the competition. Individual roles therefore appear to be dictated by playing position, team tactics and game circumstances.
Individual player and positional unit tactical behaviours were assessed and compared to team strategy within a professional soccer team. Twenty-two matches were sampled from the 2003–04 domestic season of the British Nationwide League team and notated post-event. Tactical behaviours were measured through a combination of technical and spatial indicators relating to the performance of on the ball behaviours. Chi-square analyses highlighted distinct individual and unit tactical behaviours indicative of role-specific responsibilities. Qualitative and quantitative assessment of overall team strategy indicated an attacking bias through the right side of the pitch and a corresponding defensive weakness on the left. Similarities were also observed between the tactical behaviours of individuals, their respective units and team strategy. The findings of the present study provide detailed information regarding the measurement of tactical behaviour in soccer and supply a methodology for researchers to consider more accurately the contribution of individuals and their respective units to team performance. They also suggest the demands on soccer players are multi-levelled and may lead to conflicting individual and positional roles.
Game location effects (home versus away) upon technical and tactics-related behaviours were investigated in a professional English soccer team. Matches (n=30) from the 2004-05 domestic season of a top five side from the English Premiership league were notated post-event via a computerized system and compared as a function of game location using non-parametric analysis procedures. An overall home advantage was found for the sample in relation to home-winning and home-goal percentage. For technical performance the team exhibited more successful behaviours, such as tackles, passes and aerial challenges, at home than away. For tactics-related behaviours, more aerial challenges, corner kicks, crosses, passes, dribbles and shots on goal were performed at home in the attacking third of the pitch. In addition, more goal kicks, interceptions, aerial challenges and clearances were performed in the defensive third when playing away. These findings suggest that game location effects may exist at a strategic level within individual teams. Future research should consider the influence of other confounding variables such as weather conditions, game status, team form and opposition quality.
In soccer, the ability to retain possession of the ball for prolonged periods of time has been linked to success (Hook and Hughes, 2001). The accuracy of this assertion was investigated by comparing 24 matches involving successful and unsuccessful English premier league teams within the 2001-2002 season. Specifically the teams' possessions were analysed depending on evolving match status i.e.whether the team was winning, losing or drawing. All possessions less than 3 seconds in duration were removed from the data as they were not deemed to include significant events pertaining to a teams' strategy. Successful teams were found to have significantly longer possessions than unsuccessful teams irrespective of match status i.e.winning (p<0.01), losing (p<0.05) and drawing (p<0.01). However both successful and unsuccessful teams had longer durations of possession when they were losing matches compared to when winning. It was concluded that within elite English football possession is related to successful performance but it is likely this is down to differences in individual player's skill levels rather than specific team strategy.
This review identifies the most likely causes of home advantage. The results of previous studies have identified 4 factors thought to be responsible for the home advantage. These can be categorised under the general headings of crowd, learning, travel and rule factors. From the accumulated evidence, rule factors were found to play only a minor role (in a limited number of sports) in contributing to home advantage. Studies investigating the effect of learning factors found that little benefit was to be gained from being familiar with the local conditions when playing at home. There was evidence to suggest that travel factors were responsible for part of the home advantage, provided the journey involved crossing a number of time zones. However, since high levels of home advantage are observed within countries where travel distances are not great. travel factors were not thought to be a major cause of home advantage. The evidence from studies investigating crowd factors appeared to provide the most dominant causes of home advantage. A number of studies provide strong evidence that home advantage increases with crowd size, until the crowd reaches a certain size or consistency (a more balanced number of home and away supporters), after which a peak in home advantage is observed. Two possible mechanisms were proposed to explain these observations: either (i) the crowd is able to raise the performance of the home competitors relative to the away competitors; or (ii) the crowd is able to influence the officials to subconsciously favour the home team. The literature supports the latter to be the most important and dominant explanation. Clearly, it only takes 2 or 3 crucial decisions to go against the away team or in favour of the home team to give the side playing at home the 'edge'.
In research on the importance of the possession of the ball in soccer, little attention has been paid to its determinants. Using data from 170 matches of the 2003 - 2004 Spanish Soccer League, we explain why differences in the possession of the ball among teams are so great. In particular, four variables are examined: evolving match status (i.e. whether the team is winning, losing or drawing), venue (i.e. playing at home or away), and the identities of the team and the opponent in each match. Results of linear regression analysis show that these four variables are statistically significant and together explain most of the variance in possession. In short, home teams have more possession than away teams, teams have more possession when they are losing matches than when winning or drawing, and the identity of the opponent matters - the worse the opponent, the greater the possession of the ball. Combinations of these variables could be used to develop a model that predicts possession in soccer.
The aim of this study was to examine the effects of match location, quality of opposition, and match status on the technical aspects of performance within a single professional British football team. Forty matches from the 2002--2003 and 2003--2004 domestic league seasons were notated post-event using a computerized notational analysis system with 13 on-the-ball behaviours and corresponding outcomes (successful or unsuccessful) assessed. Log-linear modelling procedures indicated that the incidences of all on-the-ball technical behaviours, with the exception of "set-pieces", were influenced by at least one of the three situation variables, with both independent and interactive effects found. In contrast, logit modelling suggested that there was no general influence of the situation variables on the outcomes of the on-the-ball behaviours. The findings emphasize the need for notational analysts and coaches to consider the potential independent and interactive effects of match location, quality of opposition, and match status when assessing the technical components of football performance, particularly those relating to behaviour occurrence. Future research should consider the effects of additional situation variables purported to influence the mental, physical, technical, and tactical components of football performance.
This review identifies the most likely causes of home advantage. The results of previous studies have identified 4 factors thought to be responsible for the home advantage. These can be categorised under the general headings of crowd, learning, travel and rule factors. From the accumulated evidence, rule factors were found to play only a minor role (in a limited number of sports) in contributing to home advantage. Studies investigating the effect of learning factors found that little benefit was to be gained from being familiar with the local conditions when playing at home. There was evidence to suggest that travel factors were responsible for part of the home advantage, provided the journey involved crossing a number of time zones. However, since high levels of home advantage are observed within countries where travel distances are not great, travel factors were not thought to be a major cause of home advantage. The evidence from studies investigating crowd factors appeared to provide the most dominant causes of home advantage. A number of studies provide strong evidence that home advantage increases with crowd size, until the crowd reaches a certain size or consistency (a more balanced number of home and away supporters), after which a peak in home advantage is observed. Two possible mechanisms were proposed to explain these observations: either (i) the crowd is able to raise the performance of the home competitors relative to the away competitors; or (ii) the crowd is able to influence the officials to subconsciously favour the home team. The literature supports the latter to be the most important and dominant explanation. Clearly, it only takes 2 or 3 crucial decisions to go against the away team or in favour of the home team to give the side playing at home the ‘edge’.
Least squares is used to fit a model to the individual match results in English football and to produce a home ground advantage effect for each team in addition to a team rating. We show that for a balanced competition this is equivalent to a simple calculator method using only data from the final ladder. The existence of a spurious home advantage is discussed. Home advantages for all teams in the English Football League from 1981-82 to 1990-91 are calculated, and some reasons for their differences investigated. A paired home advantage is defined and shown to be linearly related to the distance between club grounds.
The effects on the distribution of least‐squares residuals of a series of model mis‐specifications are considered. It is shown that for a variety of specification errors the distributions of the least‐squares residuals are normal, but with non‐zero means. An alternative predictor of the disturbance vector is used in developing four procedures for testing for the presence of specification error. The specification errors considered are omitted variables, incorrect functional form, simultaneous equation problems and heteroskedasticity.
The purpose of the current study was to develop an information database which accounted for as many of those variables thought to cause variance in soccer and rugby union performance as possible. These data were used to populate seven different predictive models of performance which were compared retrospectively to actual results. A total of 7 independent variables were applied to a match database 3 seasons in length for 3 English Premiership Football teams and 2 Premiership Rugby Union teams. Prediction methods included Multiple Linear Regression, Artificial Neural Networks and expert human predictions.Contrary to previous literature, soccer (57.9%) was on average predicted more successfully than Rugby Union (46.1%). Nevertheless results suggested that the ability of Artificial Intelligence and Computerised methods to predict the outcome of matches has, for the first time, surpassed that of humans.
DESCRIPTION This book addresses and appropriately explains the soccer match analysis, looks at the very latest in match analysis research, and at the innovative technologies used by professional clubs. This handbook is also bridging the gap between research, theory and practice. The methods in it can be used by coaches, sport scientists and fitness coaches to improve: styles of play, technical ability and physical fitness; objective feedback to players; the development of specific training routines; use of available notation software, video analysis and manual systems; and understanding of current academic research in soccer notational analysis. PURPOSE The aim is to provide a prepared manual on soccer match analysis in general for coaches and sport scientists. Thus, the professionals in this field would gather objective data on the players and the team, which in turn could be used by coaches and players to learn more about performance as a whole and gain a competitive advantage as a result. The book efficiently meets these objectives. AUDIENCE The book is targeted the athlete, the coach, the sports scientist professional or any sport conscious person who wishes to analyze relevant soccer performance. The editors and the contributors are authorities in their respective fields and this handbook depend on their extensive experience and knowledge accumulated over the years. FEATURES The book demonstrates how a notation system can be established to produce data to analyze and improve performance in soccer. It is composed of 9 chapters which present the information in an order that is considered logical and progressive as in most texts. Chapter headings are: 1. Introduction to Soccer Match Analysis, 2. Developing a Manual Notation System, 3. Video and Computerized Match Analysis Technology, 4. General Advice on Analyzing Match Performance, 5. Analysis and Presentation of the Results, 6. Motion Analysis and Consequences for Training, 7. What Match Analysis Tells Us about Successful Strategy and Tactics in Soccer, 8. From Technical and Tactical Performance Analysis to Training Drills, 9. The Future of Soccer Match Analysis. ASSESSMENT The authors have assembled an essential reading for all who are interested in understanding and doing better coaching and improving the performance in soccer. To this purpose, there is a strong practical approach in the book by giving plenty of examples along with a satisfactory scientific analysis of the subject area. It is concise and well organized in its presentation, creating an effective textbook. I believe, therefore, the book will serve as a first-rate teaching tool and reference for coaches, athletes and professionals in the human performance sciences.
A notational analysis of singles events at all four Grand Slam tournaments between 1997 and 1999 was conducted to determine the influence of the sex of the player and court surface on elite tennis strategy. Rallies of 7.1 +/- 2.0 s in women's singles were significantly longer than those in men's singles (5.2 +/- 1.8 s; P < 0.001). Rallies of 6.3 +/- 1.8 s at the Australian Open, 7.7 +/- 1.7 s at the French Open, 4.3 +/- 1.6 s at Wimbledon and 5.8 +/- 1.9 s at the US Open were recorded. Rallies were significantly longer at the French Open than at any other tournament (P< 0.05) and significantly shorter at Wimbledon than at any other tournament (P< 0.05). In women's singles, 52.8 +/- 12.4% of points were baseline rallies, significantly more than in men's singles (28.6 +/- 19%; P < 0.001). The proportion of baseline rallies played at the French Open (51.9 +/- 14.2% of points) was significantly greater than at the Australian Open (46.6 +/- 12.5%), Wimbledon (19.7 +/- 19.4%) and the US Open (35.4 +/- 19.5%; P < 0.05). The results show that both the sex of the player and surface of the court have a significant influence on the nature of singles tennis at Grand Slam tournaments.
The aims of this paper are to examine the application of performance indicators in different sports and, using the different structural definitions of games, to make general recommendations about the use and application of these indicators. Formal games are classified into three categories: net and wall games, invasion games, and striking and fielding games. The different types of sports are also sub-categorized by the rules of scoring and ending the respective matches. These classes are analysed further, to enable definition of useful performance indicators and to examine similarities and differences in the analysis of the different categories of game. The indices of performance are sub-categorized into general match indicators, tactical indicators, technical indicators and biomechanical indicators. Different research examples and the accuracy of their presentation are discussed. We conclude that, to enable a full and objective interpretation of the data from the analysis of a performance, comparisons of data are vital. In addition, any analysis of the distribution of actions across the playing surface should also be presented normalized, or non-dimensionalized, to the total distribution of actions across the area. Other normalizations of performance indicators should also be used more widely in conjunction with the accepted forms of data analysis. Finally, we recommend that biomechanists should pay more attention to games to enrich the analysis of performance in these sports.
Home advantage has been examined across different sports. Pollard provided evidence of this phenomenon in association football (soccer). This present study further considers the prevalence in the English Football Premiership, a division created from the former Football Association First Division in 1992. Archived data were obtained for the First Division seasons 1984--5 to 1991--2 from the Football Statistics Archive and for the English Football Premiership (1992--3 to 2002--3). Chi square analysis confirmed home advantage from season to season since 1984 (p<.05). Analysis of variance compared Pollard's findings and data for the English Football Premiership (1992--2003), as well as the intervening period (1984--92). Home advantage was significantly lower in these more recent periods. Possible factors contributing to the apparent decline in home advantage were highlighted.
Early research into how goals were scored in association football (Reep and Benjamin, 196814.
Reep , C and
Benjamin , B . 1968. Skill and chance in association football. Journal of the Royal Statistical Society, A, 131: 581–585. [CrossRef], [Web of Science ®]View all references) may have shaped the tactics of British football. Most coaches have been affected, to a greater or lesser extent, by the tactics referred to as the “long-ball game” or “direct play”, which was a tactic employed as a consequence of this research. Data from these studies, published in the late 1960s, have been reconfirmed by analyses of different FIFA World Cup tournaments by several different research groups. In the present study, the number of passes that led to goals scored in two FIFA World Cup finals were analysed. The results conform to that of previous research, but when these data were normalized with respect to the frequency of the respective lengths of passing sequences, there were more goals scored from longer passing sequences than from shorter passing sequences. Teams produced significantly more shots per possession for these longer passing sequences, but the strike ratio of goals from shots is better for “direct play” than for “possession play”. Finally, an analysis of the shooting data for successful and unsuccessful teams for different lengths of passing sequences in the 1990 FIFA World Cup finals indicated that, for successful teams, longer passing sequences produced more goals per possession than shorter passing sequences. For unsuccessful teams, neither tactic had a clear advantage. It was further concluded that the original work of Reep and Benjamin (196814.
Reep , C and
Benjamin , B . 1968. Skill and chance in association football. Journal of the Royal Statistical Society, A, 131: 581–585. [CrossRef], [Web of Science ®]View all references), although a key landmark in football analysis, led only to a partial understanding of the phenomenon that was investigated.
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