Behavior In Soccer Research Articles

INFLUENCE OF TEAM PRESSING ON MATCH PERFORMANCE IN HIGHEST-LEVEL SOCCER; PRELIMINARY REPORT

Considering lack of studies which investigated pressing behaviour in soccer, this study aimed to preliminary examine the influence of successful team pressing on team running performance (TRP) and team technical-tactical performance (TTP). All data were obtained from UEFA Champions League (UCL) matches (n=20) using optical system InStat Fitness. The TRP variables included total distance covered, low-intensity running (<4 m/s), running (4–5.5 m/s), high speed running (5.5–7 m/s) and sprinting (>7 m/s). The TTP variables included total actions shots on target, passes, key passes, crosses, dribbles, final third entries and penalty area entries. Results from linear mixed model indicated that (i) TRP was similar irrespective to number of successful pressings (t=-0.13 to 0.67, all p>0.05, all trivial to small effects sizes), (ii) TTP tend to increase when higher rate of successful team pressings was utilized (t=2.33 to 5.18, all p<0.05, all large effects sizes). These results show significant influence of team pressing on TTP and no influence of team pressing on TRP, suggesting that cooperative and well-organised interaction between players is more important factor of team pressing than pure physical performance. This study may help soccer coaches to better understand physical and technical-tactical profiles of teams that utilize pressing style of play.

Design and Reliability of an Observational Framework to Evaluate the Individual Offensive Behavior in Youth Soccer-The INDISOC Tool.

Despite the great development of match analysis in professional soccer during the last decade, very few studies have assessed the individual technical and tactical behaviors of youth soccer players. The purpose of this paper was to design and assess the reliability of an observational instrument to evaluate the INDIvidual offensive behavior in competitive 7 and 11-a-side SOCcer (INDISOC). A total of eight experts in soccer training and analysis were included in the design of the tool by means of meetings and exploratory observations. This process involved design and re-design steps of the INDISOC tool to its final format which includes twelve dimensions related to the spatial, technical, and tactical constraints of individual behavior in soccer. The unit of analysis was the individual ball possession (IBP), described as the time that starts when a player can perform an action with the ball, and which ends when the IBP for another player begins. In the INDISOC tool, the IBP is analyzed taking into account three temporal moments: (1) receiving the ball, (2) processing the ball, and (3) culminating the individual action. Inter-observer and intra-observer analyses were performed and the kappa (K) coefficients were calculated to test the instrument reliability. The K values showed optimal inter (7-a-side: 0.73–0.95; 11-a-side: 0.76–0.98) and intra-observer (7-a-side: 0.84–1;11-a-side: 0.79–1) reliability levels. These results support the notion that the INDISOC observational tool could be a suitable instrument for analyzing the individual offensive behavior in competitive youth (7-a-side), junior and senior (11-a-side) soccer.

Three perspectives on parental support in youth soccer: Children, parents, and coaches

The aim of the research project was to gain an in-depth understanding of how children, coaches, and parents in youth soccer perceive parental support. In a preliminary study, a questionnaire was developed to assess satisfaction with parental support and sideline behavior in soccer. The multisection questionnaire was adapted to all three parties of interest—children, parents, and coaches—and administered to 260 parents, 196 coaches, and 111 male players aged 12–14 years across different clubs to identify factors influencing satisfaction with parental behavior across all three groups. Factor analysis led to a revised version of the questionnaire, emphasizing the importance of emotional support. The revised questionnaire was implemented in two consecutive field studies. Samples were drawn from an amateur youth soccer setting (Study 2, N = 316, players aged 8–13 years) and a professional youth academy (Study 3, N = 209, players aged 9–16 years). Overall, results indicate children and parents were highly satisfied with parental support and sideline behavior but coaches’ satisfaction differed significantly. The discussion therefore includes all three perspectives and provides recommendations on how to improve the coach–parent relationship and professional engagement with parents.

How Does the Adjustment of Training Task Difficulty Level Influence Tactical Behavior in Soccer?

ABSTRACTPurpose: This study aimed to investigate if player tactical skill level and age category influence team performance and player exploratory behavior in tasks with different difficulty levels. Method: In total, 48 youth male soccer players participated in the study (U15, n = 24, mean age = 13.06 ± 1.53 years; U17, n = 24, mean age = 16.89 ± 0.11 years). Player tactical skills were evaluated through the System of Tactical Assessment in Soccer (FUT-SAT), allowing them to be organized into three groups according to tactical efficiency: Higher tactical skill level (Group 01), Intermediate tactical skill level (Group 02), and Lower tactical skill level (Group 03). Next, Group 01 and Group 03 of both categories performed six Small-Sided and Conditioned Games (SSCG) each, namely three High difficulty SSCGs and three Low difficulty SSCGs. Team performance and players’ exploratory behavior were analyzed through the Offensive Sequences Characterization System and Lag Sequential Analysis, respectively. Results: We found that team performance and players’ exploratory behavior were influenced both by the age and tactical skill level of the players, as well as by task difficulty level. Conclusion: Therefore, in an attempt to improve player performance, practitioners must carefully manipulate key task constraints to adapt training task difficulty levels to player age and tactical skill level.

Differential Learning as a Key Training Approach to Improve Creative and Tactical Behavior in Soccer

ABSTRACTPurpose: The aim of this study was to identify the effects of a differential-learning program, embedded in small-sided games, on the creative and tactical behavior of youth soccer players. Forty players from under-13 (U13) and under-15 (U15) were allocated into control and experimental groups and were tested using a randomized pretest to posttest design using small-sided games situations. Method: The experimental group participated in a 5-month differential-learning program embodied in small-sided games situations, while the control group participated in a typical small-sided games training program. In-game creativity was assessed through notational analyses of the creative components, and the players’ positional data were used to compute tactical-derived variables. Results: The findings suggested that differential learning facilitated the development of creative components, mainly concerning attempts (U13, small; U15, small), versatility (U13, moderate; U15, small), and originality (U13, unclear; U15, small) of players’ actions. Likewise, the differential-learning approach provided a decrease in fails during the game in both experimental groups (moderate). Moreover, differential learning seemed to favor regularity in pitch-positioning behavior for the distance between players’ dyads (U13, small; U15, small), the distance to the team target (U13, moderate; U15, small), and the distance to the opponent target (U13, moderate; U15, small). Conclusions: The differential-learning program stressed creative and positional behavior in both age groups with a distinct magnitude of effects, with the U13 players demonstrating higher improvements over the U15 players. Overall, these findings confirmed that the technical variability promoted by differential learning nurtures regularity of positioning behavior.

A knowledge discovery framework for the assessment of tactical behaviour in soccer based on spatiotemporal data

ABSTRACTThis paper addresses the problem of designing an explanatory computational model for the assessment of individual tactic skills in team sports. The modelling approach tackles the complexity and difficulty of this problem by fusing fuzzy human-like knowledge related to tactical behaviour with time-continuous position data from a tracking system. For this purpose, a hierarchical architecture is proposed. The bottom layer is represented by physically meaningful variables derived from time-continuous position data at specific time instances. Based thereupon, we introduce a temporal segmentation layer that relates the physical variables to game-situation-specific temporal phases. We show how the vague and imprecisely defined linguistic description of the task at hand can be transferred to fuzzy rules in order to get a meaningful temporal segmentation of the time-continuous position data. Finally, the resulting clusters are interpreted in terms of performance indicators in the top layer in order to provide a meaningful explanatory model for the assessment. We show the usefulness of our approach for the task of player evaluation. We do not only provide the coach with a single number to describe the players’ performance but also relate this number to the measurement variables, presenting a more holistic and sophisticated view of the players’ performance.

A game-to-game investigation of the relation between need-supportive and need-thwarting coaching and moral behavior in soccer

ObjectiveAlthough perceived need-supportive and need-thwarting coaching have received considerable attention, the question whether coach behavior fluctuates from game to game, with resulting associations with players’ moral behavior has not been examined. Design and methodA Belgian sample of soccer players (N = 197; M = 26.57) was followed during five competition games, with players completing measures both prior to and following each game assessing, pre-game and on-game perceived coaching as well as athletes’ moral behavior. ResultsResults of multilevel analyses indicated that there exists substantial variation in perceived need-thwarting and need-supportive coaching behavior from game to game. The game-to-game variation in perceived pre-game need-thwarting coaching behavior related positively to variation in the adoption of an objectifying stance, which, in turn, related to variation in antisocial behavior oriented towards the opponent, the referee, and even their own teammates. Variation in perceived on-game need-supportive and need-thwarting coaching behavior yielded an additional relation to team-related moral outcomes. Finally, supplementary analysis indicated that these effects also held for an objective marker of moral functioning (i.e., number of yellow cards) and that players’ level of competition-contingent pay related to their antisocial behavior via an objectifying stance. ConclusionThe discussion highlights the fluctuating and dynamic nature of motivating coaching behavior, and its association with players’ moral functioning.

Does the Threat of Suspension Curb Dangerous Behavior in Soccer? A Case Study From the Premier League

Using data from the 2011-2012 season of the Premier League, we study empirically and theoretically the impact of soccer suspension rules on the behavior of players and referees. For players facing a potential one-game suspension, being one versus two yellow cards away from the suspension limit results in an approximate 12% reduction in fouling, while for those facing a potential two-game suspension, the reduction is approximately 23%. The probability such players receive a yellow card is also reduced. In addition, we find some evidence of slight referee bias for the home team in the dispensing of penalty cards, but not in the calling of fouls. Finally, we develop a theoretical framework for investigating the effects of suspension rules on the number of fouls committed. Within this framework, we investigate how policy instruments such as referees’ propensity to give out yellow cards or their consistency in giving them out affect the impact of suspension rules.

Extended Case-Based Behavior Control for Multi-Humanoid Robots

Intelligent control of multi-agent autonomous humanoid robots is a very complex problem, especially in the RoboCup domain. This is due to the dynamics of the environment and the complexity of behaviors that should be executed in real time. Moreover, the overall complexity increases since another mechanism for coordinating the robot’s behaviors should be involved. Throughout the past years, acceptable results have been obtained using different approaches to solve the behavior control problem (decision trees, fuzzy techniques, support vector machines, reinforcement learning, etc.). As case-based reasoning (CBR) is tightly related to the way humans reason, researches are now concentrated on finding the most relevant solutions that could handle behavior control problems of humanoid soccer robots using CBR techniques. This paper proposes an extended algorithm of a more complex architecture to control more complex soccer behaviors such as dribbling and goal scoring applied to multi-robot scenarios between attacker and goalie. The decomposition of features into a hierarchy of levels has led to reduced complexity of the overall behavior execution in real time. However, the average retrieval accuracy and the average performance accuracy were relatively low (70.3% and 77%, respectively). We intend to combine neural networks with CBR to learn adaptation rules for reducing the complexity of hand-coded rules and improving the overall controller performance.

Designing Vision Based Autonomous Docile-X Mobile Robot for Real-time Application to Soccer Behaviors

Designing Vision Based Autonomous Docile-X Mobile Robot for Real-time Application to Soccer Behaviors

Moral disengagement in the legitimation and realization of aggressive behavior in soccer and ice hockey.

The aim of the present study was to verify that the level of tolerance for aggression is higher in a collective context than in an individual context (polarization effect), and to test the association between moral disengagement, team and self-attitudes toward aggression, and tolerance and realization of aggressive acts in Swiss male soccer and ice hockey. In individual or collective answering conditions, 104 soccer and 98 ice hockey players viewed videotaped aggressive acts and completed a questionnaire, including measures of the perceived legitimacy of videotaped aggression, of the teammates, coach, and self attitudes toward transgressions (modified TNQ), of the moral disengagement in sport (modified MDSS-S), and of self-reported aggressive behavior. A multilevel analysis confirmed a strong polarization effect on the perception of instrumental aggression, the videotaped aggressive acts appearing more tolerated in the collective than in the individual answering condition. Using a structural equation modeling, we found that the moral disengagement, which mediates the effects of perceived coach and ego attitudes toward transgressions, correlates positively with the tolerance of hostile aggression within teams, and with the level of aggressive acts reported by the participants. Aggr. Behav. Aggr. Behav. 42:123-133, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Tactical Behaviour in Soccer: Analysis of an Under-11 Team by the “GK3-3GK” Test

The aim of this study is to compare game principles performed by 18 youth soccer players taking into account the tactical principles of the game, the action's place and respective outcome. The sample comprised 763 tactical actions performed by soccer players from one Portuguese club. The test “GK3-3GK” was used to provide the evaluation of tactical actions according to ten basic tactical principles of soccer game. For data analysis it was used a descriptive analysis and chi-square (χ2) test (p≤0.05). The results showed that players perform better the tactical actions related to the offensive principles than to the defensive principles. In conclusion, it is possible to assert that players have to improve, mainly, the performance of the “delay”, “balance” and “defensive unity” principles.

Size matters: Pitch dimensions constrain interactive team behaviour in soccer

Pitch size varies in official soccer matches and differently sized pitches are adopted for tactical purposes in small-sided training games. Since interactive team behaviour emerges under con- straints, the authors evaluate the effect of pitch size (task) manipulations on interactive team behaviour in small-sided soccer games. Four 4-a-side (plus goalkeepers) small-sided games were played: a reference game (30×20 m), length manipulation (24×20 m), width manipulation (30×16 m), and a combina- tion (24×16 m). Using position data (100Hz), three measures quantifying the teams' interaction were calculated: longitudinal inter-team distance, lateral inter-team distance, and surface area difference. Means and standard deviations, correlations and coupling values were calculated. Running correlations were calculated over a 3-s window to evaluate interaction patterns. As expected, a shorter pitch results in smaller longitudinal inter-team distance, lateral inter-team distance decreased for narrow pitches, and smaller total playing area resulted in decreased surface area. Unanticipated, a crossover effect was present; length and width manipulations also triggered changes in lateral and longitudinal direction respectively. Inter-team distances and surface area difference differed significantly across conditions. Interaction patterns differed across conditions for all measures. So, highly tactically relevant, soccer teams seem to adapt their interactive behaviour according to pitch size in small-sided games.

Nonverbal Behavior in Soccer: The Influence of Dominant and Submissive Body Language on the Impression Formation and Expectancy of Success of Soccer Players

In the present article, we investigate the effects of specific nonverbal behaviors signaling dominance and submissiveness on impression formation and outcome expectation in the soccer penalty kick situation. In Experiment 1, results indicated that penalty takers with dominant body language are perceived more positively by soccer goalkeepers and players and are expected to perform better than players with a submissive body language. This effect was similar for both video and point-light displays. Moreover, in contrast to previous studies, we found no effect of clothing (red vs. white) in the video condition. In Experiment 2, we used the implicit association test to demonstrate that dominant body language is implicitly associated with a positive soccer player schema whereas submissive body language is implicitly associated with a negative soccer player schema. The implications of our findings are discussed with reference to future implications for theory and research in the study of person perception in sport.

Antisocial behavior in soccer: A qualitative study of moral disengagement

This study was designed to examine (a) the moral disengagement mechanisms athletes use when they engage in antisocial behaviors in soccer and (b) whether the frequency of these mechanisms differs depending on the type of behaviors. Participants were 30 soccer players competing at a regional level. During a semi-structured interview, these participants were presented with video clips of their antisocial acts that occurred during regular games and were asked to explain why they engaged in these behaviors. Their explanations were coded based on the moral disengagement mechanisms described by Bandura (1999). Content analyses revealed that (a) the more frequent mechanisms used by the players were displacing responsibility to others (e.g., referees) and moral justification, and that (b) cheating acts and instrumental aggression elicited more displacement of responsibility than hostile behaviors.

Análise e avaliação do comportamento tático no futebol

Researches about sports performance have been showing that the tactical constraints are vital to the performance of players and teams in Soccer. However, the assessment tools of player behavior have been focused on technical and bio-mechanics aspects. The aims of this paper are to review and to analyze evaluation tools proposed in the literature and to present recommendations of inclusion of tactical principles in systems that seek the analysis and evaluation of the players' behavior in Soccer. The proposal presented comprises ten fundamental tactical principles of Soccer game, the place of action and the action’s outcome.

Tactical Behaviour in Soccer: Analysis of an Under-11 Team by the “GK3-3GK” Test~!2009-07-05~!2009-11-09~!2010-04-28~!

Tactical Behaviour in Soccer: Analysis of an Under-11 Team by the “GK3-3GK” Test~!2009-07-05~!2009-11-09~!2010-04-28~!

Effects of Goal Orientation and Perceived Value of Toughness on Antisocial Behavior in Soccer: The Mediating Role of Moral Disengagement

In this study, we examined (a) the effects of goal orientations and perceived value of toughness on antisocial behavior toward opponents and teammates in soccer and (b) whether any effects were mediated by moral disengagement. Male soccer players (N = 307) completed questionnaires assessing the aforementioned variables. Structural equation modeling indicated that ego orientation had positive and task orientation had negative direct effects on antisocial behavior toward opponents. Further, ego orientation and perceived value of toughness had indirect positive effects on antisocial behavior toward opponents and teammates which were mediated by moral disengagement. Collectively, these findings aid our understanding of the effects of personal influences on antisocial behavior and of psychosocial mechanisms that could facilitate such antisocial conduct in male soccer players.

Observed Prosocial and Antisocial Behaviors in Male and Female Soccer Players

This study investigated sex differences in observed prosocial and antisocial behaviors in soccer and the role of personal and social factors in explaining these differences. Male (n = 26) and female (n = 20) soccer teams, consisting of players (N = 464) whose age ranged from 15–47 years, participated in the study. For each team, a 90-min soccer game was videotaped, and questionnaires were administered to players measuring empathy, motivational climate, soccer experience, and demographics. Two observers recorded prosocial and antisocial behaviors for each team. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated that males and females did not differ in prosocial behaviors, but males engaged in more antisocial acts than females. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) showed that the effects of sex on antisocial behavior were substantially reduced when behavior scores were adjusted for empathy, perceived performance climate, or soccer experience. Our findings underscore the importance of these variables in explaining sex differences in antisocial behavior in soccer.

HIERARCHICAL REACTIVE CONTROL FOR HUMANOID SOCCER ROBOTS

Humanoid soccer serves as a benchmark problem for artificial intelligence research and robotics. Every year, more teams are competing, for example, in the RoboCup Humanoid League. As the robots improve in the basic skills of walking, kicking, and getting up, teams can focus on soccer skills and team coordination. The complexity of soccer behaviors and team play calls for structured behavior engineering. In this paper, we describe the design of the behavior control software for the Humanoid League team NimbRo. The software is based on a framework that supports a hierarchy of reactive behaviors. It is structured both as an agent hierarchy (joint–body part–player–team) and as a time hierarchy. The speed of sensors, behaviors, and actuators decreases when moving up in the hierarchy. The lowest levels of this framework contain position control of individual joints and kinematic interfaces for body parts. At the next level, basic skills are implemented. Soccer behaviors like searching for the ball, approaching the ball, avoiding obstacles, and defending the goal reside on the player level. Finally, on the tactical level, the robots communicate via a wireless network to negotiate roles and use allocentric information to configure the soccer behaviors. Our robots performed very well at RoboCup 2007, which took place in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. They won both the KidSize and the TeenSize humanoid soccer competitions.