Ball recovery patterns as a performance indicator in elite soccer

Abstract

In soccer, it seems relevant to understand the relationship between the ball recovering and the subsequent success or failure of attacking play. However, few studies have considered the links between the type of ball recovery in different pitch zones, the competition stages and the overall teams success. The present study aims to analyze the attacks (n = 1619) carried out by the semi-finalist teams in the 2010 FIFA World Cup in order to explore ball recovery patterns as a performance indicator. SoccerEye observational instrument, SoccerEye recording software, Sequential Data Interchange Standard-Generalized Sequential Querier (SDIS-GSEQ) and SPSS analytic software—one-way analysis of variance, two-way analysis of variance and regressions—were applied. Direct ball recovery, in specific by interception and defensive behavior followed by a pass, was the mostly frequent behavior, with the later inducing attacking play efficacy (p<0.017). Differences were detected between the group and play-off stages with regard to the types of direct ball recoveries. The ball was most often regained in defensive and mid-defensive central zones, evidencing differences to all other pitch zones (p≤0.001). Throw-ins were the only type of ball recovery that differentiated the semi-finalists, namely Germany and Spain (p<0.009). It was found that recovering directly the ball possession in mid-defensive central zones increases attacking efficacy. Consequently, coaches should consider this tactical determinant in order to organize the training process. Specifically, it is fundamental to improve the collective defensive organization protecting central strip zones and simultaneously performing high-pitched pressure to constrain the ball carrier.

Ball Recovery Consistency as a Performance Indicator in Elite Soccer

“…Sports analysts regard the success of the world's elite soccer teams as reliant on ball recovery 1 and essential strategies to maintain ball possession [2][3][4] . This index plays an important role in the defensive as well as first stage of attack, and most chances of goals at 2010 World Cup were related to ball recovery in the middle-defense zone 4 .…”

The ball recovery as an action related performance indicator in Football – an example using distinct operational definitions

“…It is known that the ball recovery allows a double purpose: stopping the opponent's ball possession and offensive phase (a crucial defensive goal) and regaining ball possession. The quality of ball recovery determines the content of technical actions and the sequence of a team's ball possession (Barreira et al, 2014;Garganta, 1997). If the collected data serves to analyse general facets concerning frequency of ball recoveries, it should be used a more glade definition of ball recovery (e.g.…”

“…Both of these definitions conduct to similar results in ball location recovery, although they report, as we already saw, differences in the frequency of ball recoveries. Earlier investigations have already used this definition 2 criteria when studying characteristics associated to ball recovery (Barreira et al, 2014;Garganta, 1997;Santos, 2012), making this one a valid option that allows more suitable comparisons between studies. The choice between definition 1 and 2 deserves reflection.…”

Clustering seasonal performances of soccer teams based on situational score line

“…A performance indicator is a selection, or combination, of action variables that aim to define some or all aspects of a performance [5]. Some of action variables are total shots and shots on targets [6], passing patterns [7], ball possession [8,9], and ball recovery patterns [10]. Apart from that, score line, whether a team is winning, draw, or loses, is seen as the ultimate performance indicators [11].…”