Analysis of football game-related statistics using multivariate techniques

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore football game-related statistics during a competition, using principal component and cluster analyses to determine if it is possible to distinguish the winning teams from the drawing and losing ones. We collected the game-related statistics of the group phase matches of the 2006 World Cup and organised them into a matrix. The principal components of the covariance matrix were calculated. The scores of the first and second components were used to represent the new data, and cluster analysis was applied to separate the elements in two groups (G1 and G2). To analyse the degree of separation between the groups, we calculated the Silhouette Coefficient for each group. Finally, we checked if the winning teams were classified into the same group. The Silhouette Coefficients found for G1 and G2 were 0.54 and 0.55, respectively. Results showed that 70.3% of the winning teams were classified into the same group (G1). Similarly, 67.8% of the drawing and losing teams were classified in G2. This study presented a different way to analyse game-related statistics that allowed the multivariate differences to be shown between successful and unsuccessful teams.     

Network analysis of kick-in possession chains in elite Australian football

ABSTRACT

The study aim was to investigate ball movement patterns using network analysis techniques, to compare between successful and unsuccessful outcomes and teams in the Australian Football League (AFL). This analysis focused on possession chains starting from a kick-in (n = 1,720), drawn from all games played in the 2015 AFL Premiership season (18 teams, 206 games). Player interactions were quantified using four network metrics: cluster coefficient, degree centrality, network density, and entropy. Three-way ANOVA with Tukey post hoc and ω² effect sizes were calculated to assess whether differences existed between kick-in outcomes, ladder brackets, and match outcomes for each network metric. No significant differences were observed between ladder brackets or match outcomes for any network metric. More successful kick-in chains were characterised by lower density (ω² = 0.26, large effect; F(9, 1678) = 66.6, p < 0.00) and higher entropy (ω² = 0.17, large effect; F(9, 1678) = 39.6, p < 0.00). This suggests that chains resulting in successful kick-in outcomes exhibited lower interconnectedness, with a high number of players involved, and lower predictability in ball movement patterns. These findings have practical value for coaches and performance analysts and support further applications of network analysis in Australian football.     

Developing football expertise: a football-specific research review

About 265 million people regularly play football, of which only 0.04% play in a professional league. This suggests that reaching expertise specifically in football is difficult and highly competitive. In recent decades, research on the development of football expertise has increased substantially. However, most of these studies have focused on isolated aspects of the developmental process, and consequently there has been a lack of overview of how these different aspects interact to produce football experts. The aim of this study is to review available research on the development of expertise specific for football. The review is limited to papers found in the electronic SportDiscus database. The 2007 Developmental Model of Sport Participation (DMSP) has been used as the conceptual framework. The results highlight the importance of football-specific practice in early developmental phases in becoming an expert in football. It is also proposed that football-specific nuances may need to be applied to the DMSP in order to make the debate of early specialization versus diversification sufficiently valid for this particular context. Consequences for practice engagement and future research are discussed.     

足球彩票发行的社会学分析

从社会学的角度，阐述了足球彩票的发行对我国政治、经济以及足球运动本身所产生的影响。足球彩票是我国彩票的创新品种，能起到促进社会主义精神明建设、丰富人民生活、调节大众心理、促进社会良性循环的作用，并将成为我国新的经济增长点。     

The relationship between game-based performance indicators and developmental level in junior Australian football: Implications for coaching

Identifying performance differences between juniors at different stages of a talent pathway may assist with the development of prospective talent. This study investigated the relationship between game-based performance indicators and developmental level in junior Australian football (AF). Players were categorised into 2 groups according to developmental level; U16 and U18. Physical and technical skill performance indicators were collated for all U16 (n = 200) and U18 (n = 244) participants of their respective 2014 national championships. Data were acquired from all 28 games (12 U16, 16 U18); resulting in 1360 player observations (568 U16, 792 U18). Microtechnology and a commercial provider facilitated the quantification of 15 performance indicators. Generalised estimating equations (GEEs) modelled the extent to which these performance indicators were associated with developmental level. The GEE model revealed that “contested marks” and “contested possessions” had the strongest association with the U16 level, while “total marks” and “clearances” had the strongest association with the U18 level. The remaining performance indicators were not developmentally discriminant. These results indicate that there are distinctive features of gameplay more associated with the U16 and U18 levels in AF. Coaches may wish to consider these results when constructing training drills designed to minimise developmental gaps.     

Relative age effect in Spanish association football: Its extent and implications for wasted potential

Abstract

Spain is one of the largest and most successful powers in international youth football, but this success has not extended to the national team. This lack of continued success seems to indicate a loss of potential. The relative age effect has been detected in football in many countries. Understanding the extent of this bias in the youth teams of Spanish elite clubs may help to improve selection processes and reduce the waste of potential. Comparisons between players from: the Spanish Professional Football League, all age categories of these clubs' youth teams, the Under-17 to Under-21 national teams, the national team, and the Spanish population, show a constant tendency to under-represent players from the later months of the selection year at all age groups of youth and Under-17 to Under-21 national teams. Professional and national team players show a similar but diminished behaviour that weakens with ageing, which suggests that talent identification and selection processes can be improved to help better identify potential talent early on and minimize wasted potential.     

Science of rugby league football: A review

The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive review of the science of rugby league football at all levels of competition (i.e. junior, amateur, semi-professional, professional), with special reference to all discipline-specific scientific research performed in rugby league (i.e. physiological, psychological, injury epidemiology, strength and conditioning, performance analysis). Rugby league football is played at junior and senior levels in several countries worldwide. A rugby league team consists of 13 players (6 forwards and 7 backs). The game is played over two 30?–?40 min halves (depending on the standard of competition) separated by a 10?min rest interval. Several studies have documented the physiological capacities and injury rates of rugby league players. More recently, studies have investigated the physiological demands of competition. Interestingly, the physiological capacities of players, the incidence of injury and the physiological demands of competition all increase as the playing standard is increased. Mean blood lactate concentrations of 5.2, 7.2 and 9.1?mmol?·?l^?1 have been reported during competition for amateur, semi-professional and professional rugby league players respectively. Mean heart rates of 152 beats?·?min^?1 (78% of maximal heart rate), 166 beats?·?min^?1 (84% of maximal heart rate) and 172 beats?·?min^?1 (93% of maximal heart rate) have been recorded for amateur, semi-professional and junior elite rugby league players respectively. Skill-based conditioning games have been used to develop the skill and fitness of rugby league players, with mean heart rate and blood lactate responses during these activities almost identical to those obtained during competition. In addition, recent studies have shown that most training injuries are sustained in traditional conditioning activities that involve no skill component (i.e. running without the ball), whereas the incidence of injuries while participating in skill-based conditioning games is low. Collaborative research among the various sport science disciplines is required to identify strategies to reduce the incidence of injury and enhance the performance of rugby league players. An understanding of the movement patterns and physiological demands of different positions at all standards of competition would allow the development of strength and conditioning programmes to meet the precise requirements of these positions. Finally, studies investigating the impact of improvements in physiological capacities (including the effect of different strength and conditioning programmes) on rugby league playing performance are warranted.     

浅谈心理焦虑对足球比赛成绩的影晌

足球赛中焦虑对比赛成绩有很大影响。要求在平时教学与训练中加强心理训练,减少比赛时由焦虑引起的失误。     

我国青少年足球教练员职业能力的现状调查

运用文献资料、专家访谈、问卷调查、逻辑分析等方法,对我国青少年足球教练员职业能力结构中6种主要的能力现状进行了调查研究.研究结果表明,我国青少年足球教练员已经具备了良好的指导训练能力、指挥比赛能力、管理运动队能力,但缺乏必要的创新能力、科学研究能力、社会交际能力.     

Analysis of direct free kicks in the women's football World Cup 2007

Abstract

The location and outcome of all free kicks taken directly at goal in the 2007 women's football World Cup were assessed to identify areas with the most goal-scoring potential and assist with tactical decisions and training design. Video of all free kicks taken directly at goal in the 32 games was captured and the location of the ball on the pitch was calculated from pitch markings and image pixel coordinates using a customized curve-fitting method. The outcome of each free kick was determined and for those that resulted in a goal or were saved, information on ball flight time and the placement of the ball relative to the goal was reported. All seven free kicks that resulted in a goal were taken from a central area within 7 m of the penalty circle, placed at the edge of the goal within approximately 1 m of the goalpost, and had an average flight time of 1.09 s, which was significantly faster than for those that were saved. All free kicks directed towards the bottom and centre of the goal resulted in straightforward saves for the goalkeeper. It is recommended that teams should consider a direct shot from free kicks awarded within 7 m of the penalty circle. For free kicks from wide areas and areas further from the goal, players should be aware of their individual ability and only take a shot when they perceive the probability of scoring a goal to be high. Otherwise, alternative attacking strategies should be considered to avoid an easy turnover of possession.     

Effects of game location and final outcome on game-related statistics in each zone of the pitch in professional football

Abstract

The aim of this large-scale study of elite professional football teams was to identify the independent and interactive effects of game location and final outcome on football game-related statistics according to the zone of the pitch in which they occurred. The sample consisted of 1900 games played over five seasons (from 2003–2004 to 2007–2008) of the Spanish Professional Football League. Factor analysis with principal components was applied to the game-related statistics recorded from the games, which limited the analysis to four factors (Factor 1: Turnovers in zone 5.2 and Crosses in zone 4; Factor 2: Goals and shots in zone 5.1, Turnovers in zone 4, and Ball recover in zone 2; Factor 3: Goals and shots in zone 5.2; and Factor 4: Turnovers in zone 5.1). Zone 2 was between the defensive semi-circle area and midfield circle, Zone 4 was between the midfield circle and offensive semi-circle area, Zone 5.1 was the offensive goal area, and Zone 5.2 was the offensive small area). A mixed linear model was applied to identify the effects of game location and final outcome on the previously identified factors. Game location and final outcome main effects were identified for all factors, with home and winning teams having better values. The interaction Location×Outcome was only significant for Factor 4 (Turnovers in zone 5.1). When playing at home, teams had higher frequencies for all analysed variables, probably resulting from home advantage factors such as facility familiarity and/or crowd. Additionally, winning teams’ exhibited different and consistent profiles from drawing and losing teams, mainly discriminated by their ability to recover the ball in Zone 2 and to organize the offence using penetrative passes to Zones 5.2 and 5.1 to increase the number of shots and consequently goals. The trends identified may provide important information for modelling high-level performances.     

基于AHP-SWOT分析模型的大连市校园足球发展战略研究

通过AHP-SWOT模型对大连市校园足球今后的发展战略进行分析,提出校园足球发展应以开拓型战略、多元化战略、保守型战略和扭转型战略为主要的发展方向,旨在为我国各地校园足球的主管部门提供具有借鉴意义的战略分析模型。     

体育学院足球专修教学比赛现状及改革设想

教学比赛是教学过程中的一个重要环节，教学比赛不仅能检验教学效果，也能反映学生专项水平的高低。体育学院目前足球专修班教学比赛与实际相脱节，影响了人才培养的规格和质量及教学质量的提高，必须进行改革．     

Performance of football shin guards for direct stud impacts

Football shin guards were evaluated against a kick from a studded boot.The bending stiffness of their shells, and their response when impacted by a stud, were assessed using finite element analysis (FEA) and determined experimentally.A test rig was constructed with the leg muscle simulated by flexible foam, with the force distribution along the tibia and to the lateral muscle measured using flexible force sensors.High-speed photography confirmed deformation mechanisms predicted by FEA.Load spreading from the stud impact site correlated with the guard shell bending stiffness.The best guards use shells of complex shape to increase their transverse bending stiffness.     

优秀女子足球队最佳年龄结构的探讨与分析

对世界优秀女足队的年龄结构及我国12支优秀女足队的年龄结构进行统计分析，结果表明：世界优秀女足队最佳年龄结构为23～27岁，我国优秀成年女足队年龄结构目前较为年轻化，且女足运动员年龄在28岁以内，与运动成绩呈正比关系。应抓住我国优秀女足队年龄结构目前呈年轻化的特点和年龄结构日趋成熟的有利时机，进行科学化的、有针对性的训练，争取在2008年奥运会上取得突破性进展。     

Making orange green? A critical carbon footprinting of Tennessee football gameday tourism

ABSTRACT

Anthropogenic climate change is an imminent threat. In order to curb the effects of climate change, economic industries including tourism must assess their contributions to the overall phenomenon and develop creative solutions. As carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions represent a major reason why global tourism is contributing to climate change, carbon footprinting can help identify which aspects of individual tourism events are least sustainable. This case study seeks to assess the total carbon footprint of four seasons of American college football. The fan journey to the college football spectate represents a tourism experience and therefore can and should be assessed for its ecological impact. The subject of this case study is the University of Tennessee, an institution with one of the largest football stadiums in the United States. Using an extensive geographic sample of ticketing data from Tennessee’s home games during the 2015–2018 seasons, a carbon footprint was estimated for each game, each contributing polluter, and each season. The total season footprint over the four years was estimated to be 154,717,114?kg CO₂eq. This study presents both a methodology for studying spectator sporting events in sport tourism and a framework by which tourism can begin to assess its contributions to the global carbon footprint. It also demonstrates grounded consequences for often trivialized ideas of fandom and place-based identity. Additionally, it highlights the need for tourism organizations and governments to consider policy and management practices that account for and reduce the impact of greenhouse gas emissions.     

Time-motion,tactical and technical analysis in top-level karatekas according to gender,match outcome and weight categories

The aim of this study was to define the time-motion (i.e., fighting, preparatory and breaking activity), technical (i.e., attack, timed-attack, counterattack, blocking and grasps) and tactical (i.e., upper limb, lower-limb, combination and throwing) profiles of the senior top-level karate competition played under the most recent rules of the International Karate Federation in relation to gender, match outcome and weight categories. Time-motion, tactical actions and technical executions were investigated of senior karatekas (n = 60) during the Karate World Championship. The referee’s decisions caused an overall activity-to-break ratio of ~1:1.5 with a significant difference (P = 0.025) between karateka’s weight categories (light = 1:1.5; middle = 1:2 and heavy = 1:1). High-intensity actions (i.e., attack and defensive actions performed quickly and powerfully) were higher in male compared to female athletes. Top-level karatekas used upper limb techniques more than lower limb ones, with both applied in the head more than in the body. For the high-intensity-actions to pause ratio and the percentage of combined techniques, light weight category was significantly higher than middle weight category. These findings suggest that training programs may need to be specific to the requirements of the gender and weight categories.     

国家男子足球队传球失误原因调查与分析

为了研究国家男子足球队传球失误的原因,采用录像观察法、数理统计法、文献资料法、逻辑分析法等方法,对国家队参加的24场国际性比赛中出现的短传球、中长传球、一脚传球失误的状态和原因进行分析。结果表明:国家男子足球队在不同运动状态下运用传球技术失误的主要原因是中慢速弱对抗状态下的传球方向不当。中长传球在比赛中失误次数多,失误的主要原因是传球方向不当和传球力量不当。     

世界足球与文化根源及其对我国足球发展的启示

我国足球事业的发展不能够脱离民族化的土壤，中国足球发展之路应将中国化精髓与现代足球明融合，培养适合自身发展的现代足球化。