Shedding light on tactical performance and tactical behavior concepts with a particular reference to soccer

Abstract

Tactical aspects play a significant role in soccer, as a team sport, considering the inherent unpredictability of the actions during a game. Therefore, measuring tactical variables is essential for training planning in soccer and other team sports. However, previous studies have interchangeably used the terms “tactical behavior” and “tactical performance” to refer to the collected variables, which has become a source of questioning in recent literature. In this point-of-view article, the tactical behavior and tactical performance concepts are defined, discussed, and exemplified based on previous studies. While tactical behavior measures are associated with descriptions of the actions, tactical performance variables are assumed to classify and interpret such behaviors considering reference values. Finally, examples of instruments for collecting each data are provided.