Analysis of tactical and situational variables related to gainig the ball in advanced parts of the pitch in soccer

Resumen

The three main aims of the current programme of research were to analyse (1) the benefits of gaining possession of the ball close to the opposing goal in top-level soccer, (2) situational and tactical variables related to gaining the ball in advanced zones of the pitch, and (3) differences in the defensive playing styles of the teams analysed. Ten matches from the 2010-2011 Spanish domestic league season were notated postevent using the AMISCO PRO® system. In line with previous studies, ball possessions originating from the last third of the pitch were more likely to end in dangerous situations than possessions initiated in less advanced zones. Regarding situational variables, the likelihood for gaining possession of the ball in advanced zones of the pitch was higher when losing. Results also showed that when playing against strong opposition the likelihood for gaining the ball in the middle third of the pitch was lower than the average of all the zones. Analysis of tactical variables showed that the longer the distance from the least advanced outfield defender to his goal line, the closer to the opposing goal the ball was gained. In this regard, the risk of a high pressing characterized by pushing up the back four line leaving a large space behind the defenders was examined. The mean distance from the goal line to the nearest outfield defender in situations where defending teams suffered a shot or entry into the penalty area after an opponent had received the ball behind the defenders ranged between 27.65 ± 9.85 and 29.91 ± 9.33 metres. This distance might be smaller than some coaches could expect. Furthermore, apart from pushing up the back four line other variables related to gaining the ball in advanced zones of the pitch were reducing the duration of the defensive action, pressing the first three players in possession of the ball closely, reducing the length of the pass that attacking teams made before conceding possession of the ball, reducing the number of passes that attacking teams made, and initiating the defensive action as close to the opposing goal as possible. Finally, the tactical variables used in the present study discriminated between teams using a high pressing tactic and others defending deeper that gained the ball close to their own goals. Findings have implications for coaches aiming their teams to gain the ball in advanced parts of the pitch and challenge those who believed the high pressing as a too risky tactic.