The influence of opponents’ offensive play on the performance of professional rink hockey goalkeepers

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to analyse the performance of professional rink hockey goalkeepers and ascertain whether this is influenced by the opposition’s offensive play. A sample of 40 matches, including 1713 shots on goal from the Portuguese First Division (2016/2017) was analysed using Chi-square and logistic regression analysis. The results suggest that goalkeepers are more effective in the first half versus the second half (odds ratio [OR] = 1.39; 95% CI: 1.06–1.82; p = 0.017) of matches. Goalkeeping performance was also lower in the direct free-hits (OR = 0.22; 95% CI: 0.13–0.38; p < 0.001) and penalties (OR = 0.12; 95% CI: 0.06–0.22; p < 0.001), when compared with indirect free-hits. The technique most used by rink hockey goalkeepers to save shots at goal is the “knee on the floor”. Observations demonstrate that when attacks commence in the oppositions defensive area, teams are 55% more likely to score and shots at the upper zones of the goal have a higher probability of being successful. These findings could assist coaches and researchers in understanding current goalkeeping performance in relation to offensive patterns of play in rink hockey.