Future horizons in the analysis of technical-tactical performance in women's football: a mixed methods approach to the analysis of in-depth interviews with professional coaches and players.

Introduction: Scientific knowledge about the criteria that determine success in women's football is beginning to develop. Methods: This study was carried out with the aim of detecting regularities in the offensive success in elite women's football, as well as carrying out an interrelational analysis of linked behaviors, based on in-depth interviews with professional coaches and players. Eight in-depth interviews were conducted with professional Spanish coaches and players. The interviews were analyzed by indirect observation from a process of "quantitizing," through the construction of an indirect observation ad hoc instrument. The segmentation of the transcription of the interviews was carried out in textual units, and the creation of a matrix of codes. Two types of analysis were performed: first, a lag sequential analysis (LSA) was performed and, then, a polar coordinates analysis (PCA), which allowed to find, respectively, a wide number of established communicative patterns with offensive performance in women's football, as well as an interrelational map between the established codes. Results: The results obtained allowed us to suggest a statistically significant association between success in women's football and criteria such as the physical characteristics of a particular player, the individual action space, the duration of the attack, the type of dynamic start, individual and collective technical and tactical aspects, decision making and the type of attack used. Discussion: Based on these results, the influence of these criteria on performance in women's soccer can be studied in future studies. In addition, with the aim of increasing the validity of these conclusions, new studies on this subject may be carried out following strategies such as the Delphi Method.

Descifrando la influencia del resultado parcial sobre las posesiones de balón en fútbol femenino: un estudio observacional / Decifrando a influência do resultado parcial na posse de bola no futebol feminino: um estudo observacional / Deciphering the influence of the partial result on ball possessions in women's soccer: an observational study

El fútbol femenino está experimentando un notable crecimiento desde hace unos años a esta parte. La investigación científica debe estar a la vanguardia de este crecimiento, proponiendo recomendaciones con aval científico que ayude a mejorar la toma de decisiones en el campo aplicado. En el presente estudio se analiza una de las variables contextuales más estudiadas en fútbol masculino de alto rendimiento, como es la influencia del resultado parcial en las posesiones de balón. Para ello, se han recogido y analizado 6063 posesiones de balón realizadas durante los dos campeonatos del mundo más recientes, el FIFA Women ́s World Cup 2015 y 2019. Para ello, se han llevado a cabo dos tipos de análisis: en primer lugar, un análisis univariado para conocer incidencia,eficacia y prácticas habituales de este tipo de acciones; en segundo lugar, a nivel bivariado, se pretende conocer la posible influencia del resultado parcial (ganando, empatando o perdiendo) en los diferentes criterios considerados. Los resultados disponibles indican que las posesiones de balón son acciones que tienen una alta incidencia durante los partidos, pero con un índice de eficacia muy reducido). A nivel bivariado, el resultado parcial sí modula el comportamiento de ciertos criterios como la formade inicio de la posesión, la duración, el número de pases o el contexto de interacción. Los resultados del presente estudio pueden ayudar a las entrenadoras de fútbol durante su labor al frente de los equipos. (AU)

Women's football has been experiencing notable growth for a few years now. Scientific research must be at the forefront of this growth, proposing scientifically backed recommendations that help improve decision-making in the applied field. In the present study, one of the most studied contextual variables in high performance men's soccer is analyzed, such as the influence of the partial result on ball possessions. To do this, 6063 ball possessions made during the two most recent world championships, the FIFA Women's World Cup 2015 and 2019, have been collected and analyzed. To do this, two types of analysis have been carried out: firstly, a univariate analysis to find out the incidence, efficacy andhabitual practices of this type of actions; secondly, at a bivariate level, it is intended to know the possible influence of the partial result (winning, drawing or losing) on the different criteria considered. The available results indicate that ball possessions are actions that have a high incidence during matches, but with a very low efficiency rate). At a bivariate level, the partial result does modulate the behavior of certain criteria such as the manner in which possession begins, the duration, the number of passes or the context of interaction. The results of this study can help soccer coaches during their work in charge of the teams. (AU)

O futebol feminino vem experimentando um crescimento notável há alguns anos. A pesquisa científica deve estar na vanguarda desse crescimento, propondo recomendações cientificamente respaldadas que ajudem a melhorar a tomada de decisões no campo aplicado. No presente estudo, analisa-se uma das variáveis contextuais mais estudadas no futebol masculino de alto rendimento, como a influência do resultado parcial na posse de bola. Para isso, foram coletadas e analisadas 6.063 posses de bola feitas durante os dois últimos campeonatos mundiais, a Copa do Mundo Feminina da FIFA 2015 e 2019. Para isso, dois tipos de análise foram realizados: em primeiro lugar, uma análise univariada para conhecer a incidência, eficácia e práticas habituais deste tipo de ação; em segundo lugar, a nível bivariado, pretende-se conhecer a possível influência do resultado parcial (vitória, empate ou derrota) nos diferentes critérios considerados. Os resultados disponíveis indicam que as posses de bola são ações com alta incidência duranteas partidas, mas com baixíssimo índice de eficiência). A nível bivariado, o resultado parcial modula o comportamento de certos critérios como a forma de início da posse, a duração, o número de passes ou o contexto da interação. Os resultados deste estudo podem auxiliar os treinadores de futebol durante seu trabalho à frente das equipes. (AU)

Deciphering the offensive process in women's elite football: A multivariate study.

Over the last few years, there has been considerable increase in scientific knowledge about women's football. However, the tactical and tactical-strategic aspects have not yet been sufficiently covered in scientific literature. Therefore, this work proposed the following aims: To describe how the offensive phase is produced in women's football, to identify the significant statistical criteria that may be modulating success in attack, and finally to propose different predictive success models, with the ultimate aim of passing this knowledge on to the applied field. The observational methodology was used, one of the most appropriate methodologies for the analysis of motor behaviors in sport. The units of analysis collected and analyzed were 6063 attacks carried out during the FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015 and France 2019. The available results demonstrate that, on the one hand, offensive team actions are ineffective (almost 70% finish unsuccessfully), but criteria such as the start form of the attack, zone of ball possession, partial match result, or ball possession time are statistically significant criteria that modulate attack success (goal, shot or pass into the area). Lastly, the multivariate results allow us to propose a theoretical model, passing the probability of success from 31% in the absence of a model, to a theoretical auction probability of 52.6%, based on fast attacks with the intervention of few players, and with possession zone in the opposite field. These results could be directly transferred to the practical field where trainers and technical bodies can put this information into practice in training sessions or matches.

Differences in Technical Development and Playing Space in Three UEFA Champions Leagues.

The analysis of football grows exponentially, with many researchers adopting it as an object of study. The thematic range that addresses it, as well as the different methodologies used, are of a very different nature-physical, psychological, technical, tactical-enriching every day the knowledge, and understanding of the game itself. The objective of this study has been to identify the differences between the different styles of play that lead to becoming the champion of the UEFA Champions League in the last 3 years of the pre-COVID stage, by analyzing the spatial performance developed, the association between the players that make up the different lines of the game system and the analysis of the various technical actions that are developed to carry out the offensive phase of each team. For this, the Observational Methodology and two types of analysis have been used: quantitative, by calculating X 2, and qualitative, by applying the Polar Coordinates technique. The results obtained show the relationship that is established between the different lines that make up the offensive systems of the champion teams of this competition, as well as the relationship of significance that is established between the use of space-width and depth-and the technical means used to achieve success, the goal.

Identification of Explanatory Variables in Possession of the Ball in High-Performance Women's Football.

Women's football is a phenomenon that is experiencing an unstoppable increase in recent years. The objective of this study was to analyze how ball possessions are performed in high-performance women's football. For this, the 52 matches played by all the national teams participating in the Women's World Cup 2015 were analyzed. A total of 3740 ball possessions were examined. Using the "move outcome" variable as a reference criterion, a statistically significant relationship was found between possessions that ended in success and possessions that have failed. Specifically, the successful possessions were those that were made in the offensive zone, with a clear intention to progress towards the rival goal, with a low number of passes, and made in the second half of the matches. The results of the logistic regression showed that the proposed model is statistically significant, with an acceptable explanatory capacity. Finally, the results of the decision tree evidence the success of those possessions aiming at a quick completion, with very few passes and the offensive zone as a priority area for the possession.

The Influence of Match Status on Ball Possession in High Performance Women's Football.

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of the situational match status variable on the ball possession of the teams that participated in the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup. The 52 games played during the championship have been collected, and 3,740 ball possessions made by the teams were analyzed. The teams have been divided into successful and unsuccessful. Three types of analysis have been carried out: a univariate analysis for both groups with the categorical and continuous variables selected; a bivariate analysis, using chi-square tests and the exact Fischer test; and finally, a multivariable technique such as the decision trees was incorporated. The available results show significant differences between the two groups considered. Specifically, there are significant differences between winning and losing teams in terms of match status. The results of the post hoc test have shown that unsuccessful teams make few ball possessions with a winning match status, most of the possessions are performed when they are losing. Instead, successful teams make more possessions when they are winning than when they are losing. Also, spend more time keeping the ball in their offensive zone, and completing a greater number of passes in it. The results of the decision tree identified that the unsuccessful teams have more ball possessions in forward and middle lines with a draw during the first half, while in the second, a large percentage of possessions are made with an unfavorable match status. Instead, the successful teams have more ball possessions in the first part with a draw, while in the second it happens with a favorable match status.

Offensive Transitions in High-Performance Football: Differences Between UEFA Euro 2008 and UEFA Euro 2016.

Coaches, footballers and researchers agree that offensive transitions are one of the most important moments in football today. In a sport where defense over attack dominates, with low scores on the scoreboard, the importance of these actions from the offensive point of view becomes very important. Despite this, scientific literature is still very limited on this topic. Therefore, the objectives set out in the present investigation have been two: first, by means of a proportion analysis and the application of a chi-square test, it was intended to describe the possible differences between the offensive transitions made in the UEFA Euro 2008 and UEFA Euro 2016; then, through different multivariate analyzes based on logistic regression models, it was intended to know the possible differences among the proposed models. Using observational methodology as a methodological filter, 1,533 offensive transitions corresponding to the observation of the quarter final, semifinal, and final quarter of UEFA Euro 2008 and UEFA Euro 2016 have been analyzed. The results obtained have shown that offensive transitions between both championships have changed throughout both UEFA Euro, as well as some of the variables or behaviors associated with them (p < 0.05). The predictive models considered, although they have been developed from the same predictor variables, have also yielded different results for both championships, evidencing predictive differences among themselves. These results allow to corroborate that the offensive phase in high level football, specifically in what refers to moments of transition defense-attack, have evolved over these 8 years. At the applied level, the results of this research allow coaches to have current and contemporary information on these actions, potentially allowing them to improve their offensive performance during competition.

Application of multivariant decision tree technique in high performance football: The female and male corner kick.

The use of multidimensional statistical technique based on decision trees is of recent application in sports science. In the case of football, this technique has not yet been sufficiently proven. The aim of the present study was to search for different success models for the corners in the FIFA World Cup 2014 and FIFA Women's World Cup 2015. For this, the statistical analysis focused on the search for classification models for the different criteria considered (shot, shot between the three posts and goal), based on the creation of different decision trees that allow the most important variables to be identified quickly and efficiently. For this, 1117 corners were collected between the two competitions, performed in 116 international matches. It has been possible to establish multivariate models for the "shot" and "shot between the three posts" criteria, allowing, in some cases, to quadruple the potential for offensive success. On the other hand, we have been able to identify significant differences in the male and female model of execution. These findings suggest the need to continue deepening the study of tactical behavior in women's soccer from a multivariate perspective, and also propose a better optimization of the management and training of this type of actions for both male and female football. In addition, it has allowed to test the decision tree statistical technique in the analysis of high performance football, with satisfactory results and of great relevance in the applied field.

Cómo mejorar la efectividad en un jugador de tenis: Modelos de regresión log-lineales / How to improve the efectiveness in a tennis player: log-linear regression models

La efectividad en el deporte hace referencia al impacto alcanzado por una acción llevada a cabo en condiciones habituales, estando presente en la ejecución de cualquier actividad física, referida a la capacidad para producir el efecto deseado, y está relacionada con la eficacia, entendida como el efecto de una acción llevada a cabo en las mejores condiciones posibles, y que tiene como objetivo, lograr la meta, o conseguir el triunfo. El objetivo de este trabajo consistió en identificar la relación entre la zona y el tipo de golpe, desde la cual el tenista presenta mayor y menor efectividad en el juego. Para ello se observó a un tenista durante 12 entrenamientos con un rival de nivel equivalente, según la ATP, durante la temporada 2012-2013, registrando su situación en la cancha y el tipo de golpe de todas las devoluciones con éxito, entendido como obtención del punto o recuperación del saque. Se crearon tres criterios categóricos que constituyen un instrumento de observación para registrar el juego del tenista en la zona horizontal, y la zona vertical de la pista, además del tipo de golpe que realiza en términos de drive, revés, smash y dejada. Utilizando la técnica de regresión log-lineal, se obtuvieron resultados que indican que el jugador presenta una menor efectividad en los golpes realizados desde el lado izquierdo, y muestra una mayor efectividad en el drive y revés ejecutados desde media pista o fondo del lado derecho. La interpretación de los resultados aporta información sobre las localizaciones en la pista y los golpes, relacionados con su mayor y menor efectividad (AU)

The effectiveness in the sport refers to the impact achieved by an action carried out in normal conditions, being present in the execution of any physical activity, refers to the ability to produce the desired effect, and is related to efficiency, understood as the effect of an action carried out in the best conditions possible, and which aims achieve the goal, and got the win. the objective of this work consisted in identifying the relationship between the area and the type of shot, which tennis player has greater and lesser effectiveness in the game. this was observed to a tennis player during 12 workouts with a rival of equivalent level, according to the ATP, during the 2012-2013 season, registering their situation in the field and the type of shot of all returns successfully, understood as obtaining the point or recovery of the drawdown. three categorical criteria which constitute an instrument of observation to the game of tennis in the horizontal area, and the vertical area of the track, as well as the type of shot that performs in terms of drive, reverse, smash and left register were created. Using log-linear regression technique they were obtained results indicate that the player presents a lower effectiveness in hits from the left side, and sample a more effectively executed from half track or background on the right side the drive and reverse. the interpretation of the results provides information on the locations on the track and hits, related to its greater and lesser effectiveness (AU)

A eficiência no desporto faz referência ao impacto alcançado por uma ação realizada em condições habituais, estando presente na realização de qualquer actividade física, com base na capacidade para produzir o efeito desejado, e está relacionada com a eficácia, ou seja, o efeito de uma acção levada a cabo nas melhores condições possíveis, e que tem como fim, alcançar o objetivo ou obter a vitória. O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar a relação entre a zona do campo e o tipo de batimento, com o qual o tenista obtém maior e menor eficiência no jogo. Para isso observou- -se um tenista durante 12 treinos com um adversário de nível semelhante, de acordo com o ATP durante a temporada 2012-2013, registando a sua posição no campo e tipo de batimentos referentes a todas as devoluções efectuadas com sucesso, definido como a obtenção de ponto ou recuperação do serviço. Foram criados três critérios de categorias que constituem um instrumento de observação para registar o jogo do tenista na zona horizontal e na zona vertical do campo, para além do tipo de batimento que este realiza em termos de direita, esquerda, remate e o fiamortiefi. Utilizando a técnica de regressão log-linear, obtiveram-se resultados que indicam que o jogador apresenta menor eficiência nos batimentos realizados do lado esquerdo, e mostra maior eficiência no batimento de direita e do lado contrário ao que segura a raquete , executados a partir do meio do campo ou do fundo do campo do lado direito. A interpretação dos resultados fornece informação sobre as localizações no campo e os batimentos, relacionados com a sua maior e menor eficiência (AU)