Do Deceptive and Disguised Movement Behaviours Exist in Actual Soccer Match Play and Does Their Use Indicate Elite Performance?

Abstract

The aim of the current study was to establish if deceptive and disguised movement behaviours exist in actual soccer match play and whether the level of display of these behaviours are associated with the performance level of soccer players and team success in soccer. Data were collected from 10 ‘elite’ soccer matches and 10 ‘sub-elite’ soccer matches using match analysis. Two-way (3x2) repeated measures ANOVA statistical analysis revealed that ‘elite’ soccer players perform, on average, a greater number of deceptive and disguised movement behaviours than ‘sub-elite’ soccer players (p < 0.001). Independent t-tests revealed that the display of deceptive and disguised movement behaviours were no different, on average, between match winners and losers nor teams with most or least ball possession (p > 0.05). The results of the current study allow intentional display of deceptive and disguised movement behaviours to be considered a part of actual soccer match play and may present implications for soccer coaching and player acquisition.