Evolution of passing network in the Soccer World Cups 2010-2022.

This study investigates the evolution of passing networks (PN) at both team and player levels in the FIFA World Cups (WC) from 2010 to 2022. Analyzing 256 matches (7328 player observations) using a multiple-camera tracking system across four WCs, we considered six playing positions: goalkeeper ( = 521), central defender ( = 1192), fullback ( = 1223), midfielder ( = 2039), winger ( = 1320), and central forward ( = 1033). We used 17 network metrics and considered contextual variables such as team formation, and team ranking.

Match running performance is similar in lower and higher competitive standards of Spanish professional soccer accounting for effective playing time.

This study aimed to compare match running performance of players in the top two competitive standards of Spanish professional soccer, accounting for effective playing time (the duration of play after subtracting the game interruptions). A total of 2,784 match observations from 44 teams competing in the Spanish First Division (LaLiga Santander) and the Second Division (LaLiga Smartbank) were undertaken during two consecutive seasons (from 2021/22 to 2022/23). Total distance (TD), medium-speed running (MSR, distance 14.

To train or not to train (on match day)? Influence of a priming session on match performance in competitive elite-level soccer.

This study examined the effect of a morning priming session consisted of stretching, mobility, core and lower-body resistance, and reactive agility exercises on match performance in elite-level soccer players. Information on physical and technical performance was collected during competitive matches ( = 32) and subsequently classified as those preceded or not preceded by a priming session. Results showed significantly increased (i) distance covered overall (Cohen's d (d) = 0.

No sport for old players. A longitudinal study of aging effects on match performance in elite soccer.

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).

Do elite soccer players cover less distance when their team spent more time in possession of the ball?

: The aim of this study was to examine the association between the time spent in possession by teams and the match-running performance in elite soccer matches.: Match performance data were collected from players in Spanish (8,468 individual match observations of 412 outfield players) using a multiple-camera computerised tracking system. A -means cluster analyses classified teams depending on time spent in possession of the ball: very high-percentage ball possession teams (VHPBPT), high-percentage ball possession teams (HPBPT), low-percentage ball possession teams (LPBPT) and very low-percentage ball possession teams (VLPBPT).

Impact of elite soccer coaching change on team performance according to coach- and club-related variables.

A coaching change is an extreme, but frequently occurring phenomenon in elite soccer with its impact on team success debatable. The aim of the current study was twofold: (i) to compare team's performance when coached by new and old coaches; and (ii) to investigate the impact of a coaching change on team's performance according to coach- and club-related factors. All in-season coaching changes from the 2010-11 to 2017-18 seasons within the Spanish, French, English, German and Italian professional leagues were examined.

Long-Term Trend Analysis of Playing Styles in the Chinese Soccer Super League.

The aim of this study was to identify playing styles adopted by teams in the Chinese Soccer Super League (CSL) and to investigate their evolution across a 6-season period. Data were collected from 1,429 CSL matches from 2012 to 2017 seasons using the Amisco system. Seventeen technical performance-related indicators and eleven physical performance-related indicators were included in the factor analysis (PCA: principal components analysis) in order to group them into performance factors (styles of play).

Elite Soccer Players Do Not Cover Less Distance in the Second Half of the Matches When Game Interruptions Are Considered.

Rey, E, Kalén, A, Lorenzo-Martínez, M, López-Del Campo, R, Nevado-Garrosa, F, and Lago-Peñas, C. Elite soccer players do not cover less distance in the second half of the matches when game interruptions are considered. J Strength Cond Res 38(4): 709-713, 2024-This study aimed to analyze quantitative differences in the physical demands of male elite soccer players between the first and second halves during official matches, accounting for effective playing time (the duration of play after subtracting the game interruptions) and playing positions.

Passing Networks and Tactical Action in Football: A Systematic Review.

The aim of this study is to examine the most significant literature on network analyses and factors associated with tactical action in football. A systematic review was conducted on Web of Science, taking into account the PRISMA guidelines using the keyword "network", associated with "football" or "soccer". The search yielded 162 articles, 24 of which met the inclusion criteria.

Age-related physical and technical match performance changes in elite soccer players.

The age of peak performance is likely to vary between sports and competitions, affected by the specific skills and attributes needed to succeed in the particular competition. However, no studies using modern tracking techniques have examined the effects of age on competitive match play performance. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of age on match physical and technical performance using a large-scale analysis of match performance in professional soccer players.

Player Migration and Soccer Performance.

The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between migrating soccer players and the annual ranking of the national teams according to the . The sample includes annual data for 243 countries over the period 1994-2018. Migration is captured with the in the "big-five" leagues.

Are Soccer Players Older Now Than Before? Aging Trends and Market Value in the Last Three Decades of the UEFA Champions League.

The aims of the current study were to analyze the evolution of players' age in the UEFA Champions League since the start of its modern-day format in 1992-1993 up until 2017-2018 and to determine how the players' age relates to their market value. The sample consisted of all players participating in the UEFA Champions League from the 1992-1993 to 2017-2018 seasons ( = 16062). The following variables were used in this study: players' age, number of seasons in the club, number of Champions Leagues won, team performance, and market value of the player in the season.

Data-Driven Visual Performance Analysis in Soccer: An Exploratory Prototype.

In soccer, understanding of collective tactical behavior has become an integral part in sports analysis at elite levels. Evolution of technology allows collection of increasingly larger and more specific data sets related to sport activities in cost-effective and accessible manner. All this information is minutely scrutinized by thousands of analysts around the globe in search of answers that can in the long-term help increase the performance of individuals or teams in their respective competitions.

Seasonal Body Composition Variation Amongst Elite European Professional Soccer Players: An Approach of Talent Identification.

The primary aim of the investigation was to study the seasonal changes in body composition in elite European soccer players and identify key playing positional differences. Twenty-two players (age = 24 ± 3.7 years, body height = 180.

Running Performance in Brazilian Professional Football Players During a Congested Match Schedule.

Palucci Vieira, LH, Aquino, R, Lago-Peñas, C, Munhoz Martins, GH, Puggina, EF, and Barbieri, FA. Running performance in Brazilian professional football players during a congested match schedule. J Strength Cond Res 32(2): 313-325, 2018-The purpose of the study was to examine the influence of playing congested fixtures (2 matches a week) on running performance of Brazilian professional football players, pooled (all performance files regardless players' rotation between games) or individualized data treatment (including only files of athletes' who played pair(s) of noncongested-congested matches which occurred on the same week).

High Speed Running and Sprinting Profiles of Elite Soccer Players.

Real Madrid was named as the best club of the 20th century by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics. The aim of this study was to compare if players from Real Madrid covered shorter distances than players from the opposing team. One hundred and forty-nine matches including league, cup and UEFA Champions League matches played by the Real Madrid were monitored during the 2001-2002 to the 2006-2007 seasons.

Influence of Tactical and Situational Variables on Offensive Sequences During Elite Football Matches.

Sarmento, H, Figueiredo, A, Lago-Peñas, C, Milanovic, Z, Barbosa, A, Tadeu, P, and Bradley, PS. Influence of tactical and situational variables on offensive sequences during elite football matches. J Strength Cond Res 32(8): 2331-2339, 2018-This study examined the influence of tactical and situational variables on offensive sequences during elite football matches.

The goalkeeper influence on ball possession effectiveness in futsal.

The aim of this study was to identify which variables were the best predictors of success in futsal ball possession when controlling for space and task related indicators, situational variables and the participation of the goalkeeper as a regular field player or not (5 vs. 4 or 4 vs. 4).

The Impact of a Good Season Start on Team Performance in Elite Handball.

The aim of the current study was (i) to identify how important was a good season start in relation to elite handball teams' performance, and (ii) to examine if this impact was related to the clubs' financial budget. The match performances and annual budgets of all teams were collected from the Spanish Professional Handball League during ten seasons. The dependent variable was the difference between the ranking of each team in accordance to the annual budget and the ranking of each team at the end of the season.

Exploring Team Passing Networks and Player Movement Dynamics in Youth Association Football.

Understanding how youth football players base their game interactions may constitute a solid criterion for fine-tuning the training process and, ultimately, to achieve better individual and team performances during competition. The present study aims to explore how passing networks and positioning variables can be linked to the match outcome in youth elite association football. The participants included 44 male elite players from under-15 and under-17 age groups.

The Influence of Referee Bias on Extra Time in Elite Soccer Matches.

Referees have discretion over the addition of extra time at the end of the soccer game to compensate for lost time due to unusual stoppages. This study assesses if referees favor big teams by shortening close games where the big team is ahead and lengthening close games where the big team is behind. The sample comprises all 380 matches in the Spanish La Liga during the 2014-2015 season.