Anna Volossovitch

Offensive Sequences in Youth Soccer: Effects of Experience and Small-Sided Games

The present study aimed to analyze the interaction and main effects of deliberate practice experience and smallsided game format (3 vs. 3 and 6 vs. 6 plus goalkeepers) on the offensive performance of young soccer players. Twentyeight U-15 male players were divided into 2 groups according to their deliberate practice experience in soccer (i.e., years of experience in federation soccer): Non-Experienced (age: 12.84 ± 0.63 years) and Experienced (age: 12.91 ± 0.59 years; experience: 3.93 ± 1.00 years). The experimental protocol consisted of 3 independent sessions separated by one-week intervals. In each session both groups performed each small-sided game during 10 minutes interspersed with 5 minutes of passive recovery. To characterize the recorded offensive sequences we used the Offensive Sequences Characterization System, which includes performance indicators previous applied in other studies. No interaction effects on the offensive performance were found between both factors. Non-parametric MANOVA revealed that the factor “experience level” had a significant effect (p<0.05) on performance indicators that characterize the development of offensive sequences, especially in 6 vs. 6 + GKs. While experienced players produced longer offensive sequences with greater ball circulation between them, the non-experienced participants performed faster offensive sequences with a predominance of individual actions. Furthermore, significant differences were observed (p<0.05) in the development and finalization of offensive sequences within each group, when comparing small-sided game formats. Evidence supports that small-sided games can serve several purposes as specific means of training. However, the manipulation of game format should always consider the players’ individual constraints.

Departure from independence and stationarity in a handball match

This paper analyses direct and indirect forms of dependence in the probability of scoring in a handball match, taking into account the mutual influence of both playing teams. Non-identical distribution (i.d.) and non-stationarity, which are commonly observed in sport games, are studied through the specification of time-varying parameters. The model accounts for the binary character of the dependent variable, and for unobserved heterogeneity. The parameter dynamics is specified by a first-order auto-regressive process. Data from the Handball World Championships 2001–2005 show that the dynamics of handball violate both independence and i.d., in some cases having a non-stationary behaviour.

Team timeout calling in handball

Team timeout (TTO) in handball is a powerful instrument that influences the team’s performance. This study aimed to identify the different contexts of a TTO calling in handball according to the following contextual variables: 1) match status (current score difference), 2) goals scored in the last five ball possessions, 3) goals allowed in the last five ball possessions, 4) game period, and 5) match location. The sample consisted of 2178 TTOs registered in 720 match reports of official statistics of the ASOBAL League, seasons 2009/2010, 2010/2011 and 2011/2012. The results suggest that 71.0% of TTOs were called when the match status was “balanced” or “lose”, 57.0% of TTOs occurred in the last ten minutes of each period and 57.9% of TTOs were called when the ratio between offensive and defensive short-term performances became negative. The interaction between match status, game period and short-term offensive and defensive performance was confirmed as the main source that causes handball coaches to call TTO. Further studies should focus on the contents of coaches’ interventions during a TTO, as well as on its consequences on team performance in handball.

Penalty kick outcomes in UEFA club competitions (2010-2015): The roles of situational, individual and performance factors

This study aimed to investigate main and interaction effects of situational (competition phase, match location, match status and match period), individual (penalty taker’s footedness, playing position, and age difference to the goalkeeper), and performance factors (shot direction and goalkeeper’s action) on penalty kick outcome in UEFA Champions and Europa leagues. Data were collected from soccer Internet sites and TV broadcasts during five consecutive seasons (from 2010-2011 to 2014-2015). A total of 536 penalties were recorded and analysed considering the aforementioned three groups of variables and the respective penalty outcome (goal, saved or missed). Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to assess the effects of factors on penalty outcome. The logistic regression model revealed the probabilities of penalty kicks being saved significantly increased (1) in the middle of matches (30:01–60:00) and (2) when the shots were directed to lower zones of the goal, in particular to the lower centre-left zone of the goal (penalty taker’s perspective). Besides, the odds of missing the penalty substantially increased when the shot aimed the high zones of the goal. Based on the current findings, penalty takers should be encouraged to direct the shot to the upper corners of the goal and goalkeepers should wait longer in order to dive to the correct side of the ball. Although performance factors were the most decisive for determining the penalty outcome, situational factors such as match period may also influence the success of penalty kicks.

The effect of performance indicators on the time the first goal is scored in football matches

Scoring the first goal in football could be crucial for winning a match. The aim of this study was to identify the performance indicators that influence the time the first goal is scored in high-level football matches. A total of 240 matches of the Portuguese Premier League played in 2009/10 season were analysed. The difference between the total number of goals scored and conceded during the competition up until the match considered, total ball possession time, shots on goal, set plays, disciplinary sanctions and substitutions were selected as predictor variables for the time the first goal is scored and loaded on a Cox regression model with time-dependent covariates. A greater goal difference (p < 0.05) and a larger number of shots on goal (p < 0.01) had a positive significant influence on the time the first goal was scored in the match by home teams; at the same time disciplinary sanctions (p < 0.01) and substitutions (p < 0.01) had a negative significant effect on the time of the first goal.

Analysis of Scoring Sequences in Matches of the Portuguese Premier League

Abstract The aim of this study was to examine the sequences of the first two goals scored in soccer matches in accordance with a range of different match contexts. Data from 1506 matches played in the Portuguese Premier League during six consecutive competitive seasons (2009-10 to 2014-2015) were analysed using descriptive statistics and the chi-square test in order to verify the association between variables and a Cox regression analysis was used to predict the time the second goal was scored in function of the time of the first goal scored in the match and the scoreline. The results revealed a higher frequency of the second goals being scored in the second half of a match (58%) and in the last 5 min periods of each half. A positive association was found for home teams and score-doubling goals (58%), as well as for away teams and score-equalizing goals (56%). For home and away teams the score-doubling goal of a match was strongly and positively associated with a win outcome for home (93%) and away teams (92%), while the score-equalizing goals were associated with a draw (home and away teams: 44%) and loss outcome (home: 33% and away teams: 32%). Finally, the Cox model showed that if the first goal was scored in the second half of the match, the probability of the second goal being scored was three times higher compared to the first half.