Tactical Positioning Research Articles

Football Optimization Algorithm (FbOA): A Novel Metaheuristic Inspired by Team Strategy Dynamics

The Football Optimization Algorithm (FbOA) is introduced as a novel population-based metaheuristic optimization technique inspired by the dynamic strategies of a football team. Designed to address complex optimization problems characterized by high dimensionality, nonlinearity, and multiple local optima, FbOA draws on the strategic balance between exploration and exploitation observed in football gameplay. The algorithm mimics players’ tactical positioning and movement, incorporating short passes, long passes, and positional adjustments to explore and exploit the solution space effectively. This study comprehensively evaluates the performance of FbOA using benchmark functions from the CEC 2005 test suite with 30-dimensional and 100- dimensional optimization problems. The results demonstrate that FbOA outperforms several state-of-the-art metaheuristic algorithms regarding convergence speed, accuracy, and robustness. The findings suggest that FbOA offers a promising alternative for solving various optimization challenges across multiple fields.

Analysis of the External and Internal Load in Wheelchair Basketball Considering the Game Situation

The systematic and programmed control and evaluation of the external and internal load of high-performance athletes during training sessions and high-level competitions allows the coaching staff to know a great amount of information to evaluate the physical condition of the players and the tactical positioning as well as to identify optimal performance. Therefore, this study aimed to analyse the external and internal load of wheelchair basketball players during training and competition matches considering the functional classification of the players. WIMU PROTM inertial devices were used to collect the data. As independent variables, the sporting context and the functional classification were selected, and as dependent variables, the variables related to the external and internal load were established. The results reported significant differences between the contexts, with higher values in the competition than in the training sessions considering the internal and external load. Taking into account the functional classification, it is shown that the player with a higher functional classification obtained more differences and higher values. Understanding the external and internal load of the players during training and competitions is very important to personalise the training load according to the demands of the competition. It allows development of a progressive and modular training programme of loads to obtain the best performance. Consequently, injury risk of players due to overload will also be reduced.

The influence of tactical positioning on performance in sprint cross-country skiing.

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of tactical positioning on performance in the heats of sprint cross-country (XC) skiing among men and women and the consistency of overtaking events over repeated competitions on the same racecourse. Thirty male and thirty female elite to world-class level skiers within each competition [(sprint International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) points: 40 ± 21 vs. 35 ± 24)] performed two repeated world-cup competitions at four different venues (two in the classical and two in the skating style) between 2017 and 2020. The intermediate rankings at five checkpoints were analysed using television broadcasts of the competitions. Sprint time-trial (STT) rank correlated positively with the final rank for the seven men's (ρ = .54-.82, P < .01) and the eight women's (ρ = .40-.80, P < .05) competitions, while one of the classical competitions for males did not correlate significantly (P = .23). The strength of the correlation coefficients between intermediate ranks and final ranks during the heats increased gradually from the first to the last checkpoint among both sexes in the classical style (τ = ~0.26 to ~0.70) and in the skating style (τ = ~0.22 to ~0.82), in which the majority of performance-variance was decided before the start of the finish sprint. For both sexes, ~20 and 16 overtaking events were observed in each heat for the classical and skating style, respectively. There was a significant sex-difference in the number of overtaking events in one out of the 16 competitions (P < .01), but no differences across seasons for any competition (P = .051-796). Overall, this study showed the importance of tactical positioning for performance in sprint XC skiing, with the number of overtaking events being relatively consistent for competitions performed on the same racecourse.

Tactical positioning behaviours in short-track speed skating: A static and dynamic sequence analysis

ABSTRACT Tactical positioning is essential for success in short-track speed skating as the race format (direct, head-to-head competition over multiple laps) prioritises finishing position over finishing time. Despite this, current research into tactical positioning treats the race’s laps as discrete, independent events. Accordingly, the aggregate metrics used to summarise each lap’s tactical positioning behaviour do not allow us to explore the sequential nature of the data, e.g., Lap 2 occurs after Lap 1 and before Lap 3. Here, we capture the sequential relationships between laps to investigate tactical positioning behaviours in short-track speed skating. Using intermediate and final rankings from 500 m, 1,000 m, and 1,500 m elite short-track races, we analyse whole-race and sub-race race sequences of group and winner tactical positioning behaviours. This approach, combined with a large dataset of races collected over eight seasons of competition ( = 4,135), provides the most rigorous and comprehensive description of tactical positioning behaviours in short-track speed skating to date. Our results quantify the time-evolving complexity of tactical positioning, offer new thoughts on race strategy, and can help practitioners design more representative learning tasks to enhance skill transfer.

Integrating notational and positional analysis to investigate tactical behavior in offensive and defensive phases of football matches

Most literature has neglected the possible influence of game phase – offensive and defensive – on players’ and teams’ behaviors measured by positional data. Also, the combined effect of contextual variables – match period, match venue, and match outcome – and game phases has not been investigated yet. Therefore, this study aimed to integrate notational and positional analysis to investigate individual and collective tactical behavior in different game phases (offensive and defensive) in football matches under different contextual conditions. The sample comprised 18 matches played by 24 U-20 elite Brazilian athletes during the 2021 national championship. The authors designed a notational system to classify the start and the end of the offensive phase (and consequently, the defensive phase of the opposing team). The positional data was gathered through global positioning system devices and manually integrated with the notational analysis. Contextual variables comprised match period (first vs second halves), match venue (home vs away matches), and match outcome (win vs draw versus lose matches). Results showed significant differences between game phases, with a more spread tactical positioning observed in the offensive phase. Furthermore, interactions between contextual variables and the game phase were observed, although the game phase presented the highest impact on the dependent variables. We conclude that a more spread tactical positioning characterizes offensive behavior and that the impact of the game phase was higher than contextual variables on tactical behavior, which emphasizes the need for future studies to split positional data into attacking and defensive ones. Also, integrating notational and positional analysis are a viable alternative to enrich the data interpretation of football matches concerning the influence of game phases on players’ and teams’ behaviors.

Tactical positioning in short-track speed skating: The utility of race-specific athlete-opponent interactions

ABSTRACT In short-track speed skating, tactical positioning is essential for success as the race format (head-to-head) prioritises finishing position over finishing time. At present, our understanding of this phenomenon is based on measuring the similarity between athletes’ intermediate and final rankings. However, as this approach groups athlete performances across races, each lap’s estimate of tactical importance ignores the athlete-opponent interactions specific to each race. Here, we examine the utility of race-specific athlete-opponent interactions for investigating tactical positioning. Using intermediate and final rankings of elite 1,000 m short-track speed skating competitors collected from 2010/11–2017/18 (n = 6,196, races = 1,549), we compared the current method to a novel approach that accounted for race-specific athlete-opponent interactions. This approach first applied the current method to each race independently before using these values to form (1) discrete, empirical distributions of each lap’s tactical importance and (2) race-specific tactical positioning sequences. Our results showed that accounting for race-specific athlete-opponent interactions provided a higher measurement granularity (i.e. level of detail) for investigating tactical positioning in short-track speed skating, which better captured the complexity of the phenomenon. We observed 61 different tactical positioning behaviours and 1,269 unique tactical positioning sequences compared to the current approach’s nine-point estimates of tactical positioning importance. For this reason, we recommend that researchers and practitioners account for race-specific athlete-opponent interactions in the future as it offers a deeper understanding of tactical positioning that will enhance both strategic and tactical decisions. Highlights We compare the current approach for investigating tactical positioning to a novel approach that accounts for race-specific athlete-opponent interactions. We show that accounting for race-specific athlete-opponent interactions provides a higher measurement granularity (i.e. level of detail) for investigating tactical positioning in short-track speed skating. We demonstrate that this increased measurement granularity can facilitate a deeper understanding of tactical positioning by (1) producing theoretically-more-correct point estimates of tactical positioning importance, (2) enabling more rigorous statistical analyses into the effect of athlete-environment interactions on tactical positioning behaviour, and (3) allowing sequential analyses that capture the progressive relationships between laps. We recommend that researchers and practitioners account for race-specific athlete-opponent interactions in future investigations, as the findings will enhance analyst, coach, and athlete preparation for the strategic and tactical decision-making process essential for success in short-track.

Champion Position Analysis in Short Track Speed Skating Competitions From 2007 to 2019.

Purpose: Short track speed skating is a racing sport with racing tactics are equally crucial to speed and technical skating skills. Therefore, to investigate the relationship between starting and finishing positions for elite skaters and subsequently, explore pacing patterns for champions are necessary.Methods: To investigate a pattern of effective tactical positioning strategy, Kendall’s tau-b correlations between starting and finishing position were calculated, with 500 m races having the most positive correlation (0.347, P < 0.05).Results: Furthermore, starting position distributions of winners in each round, as well as the fluctuations in champion starting positions across rounds were analyzed. Our findings showed that skaters on the first track were inclined to win the rounds in 500, 1,000, and 1,500 m (28, 28, and 22%, respectively), and the differences between starting and finishing positions for champions were minimized in semi-finals. Meanwhile, the pacing patterns were gaining more fluctuations by the increase of race distances for champions, as the average standard deviation of lap rankings equaled 0.90, 1.15, and 2.21 for 500, 1,000, and 1,500 m races, respectively.Conclusion: In conclusion, elite skaters should adopt flexible tactics at the lowest cost of energy consumption. The overall variability of lap ranking in long-distance races were distinctly higher than it in short distance.

The impact of match venue on performance indicators and tactical behaviour in youth soccer players

ABSTRACT This study analysed the effects of changing the match venue on match-related physiological, physical, and tactical responses on youth soccer age-dependent. Fifty outfield U-17 (n = 25) and U-20 (n = 25) youth players were monitored over the 2020 competitive season. Players’ and teams’ match demands were monitored by GPS devices, allowing the generation of physiological (heart rate), physical (distances, sprints, and accelerations), and tactical (positional variables) match-related variables. These variables were compared by a two-way analysis of variance (age category x match venue). The analysis indicated that the effect of match venue on players’ and teams’ responses was age-dependent. Specifically, higher heart rate, total distance, distance in all speed thresholds, and sprints were observed in home matches, although this effect was observed only in the U-17 group (except for the heart rate and total distance). Younger players also presented higher exploratory tactical behaviour, while less spatial exploration was observed in home matches. Also, teams adopted a more in-depth tactical positioning in away matches. We conclude that older, and hence more experient, youth soccer players tend to adopt more stable physiological, physical, and tactical responses in home and away matches, although the responses and the performance tend to be higher in home matches.

The Relationship between Tactical Positioning and the Race Outcome in 800-M Running at the 2016 Olympic Games and 2017 IAAF World Championship.

The purpose of this analysis was to quantify the probability of achieving a top-3 finishing position during 800-m races at a global championship, based on dispersion of the runners during the first and second laps and the difference in split times between laps. Overall race times, intermediate and finishing positions and 400 m split times were obtained for 43 races over 800 m (21 men’s and 22 women’s) comprising 334 individual performances, 128 of which resulted in higher positions (top-3) and 206 the remaining positions. Intermediate and final positions along with times, the dispersion of the runners during the intermediate and final splits (SS1 and SS2), as well as differences between the two split times (Dsplits) were calculated. A logistic regression model was created to determine the influence of these factors in achieving a top-3 position. The final position was most strongly associated with SS2, but also with SS1 and Dsplits. The Global Significance Test showed that the model was significant (p < 0.001) with a predictive ability of 91.08% and an area under the curve coefficient of 0.9598. The values of sensitivity and specificity were 96.8% and 82.5%, respectively. The model demonstrated that SS1, SS2 and Dplits explained the finishing position in the 800-m event in global championships.

‘Our shooting was far superior to theirs’: an archaeological investigation of the defence of West Australia Hill during the South African War (1899-1902)

ABSTRACT The defence of West Australia Hill was a day-long encounter between 30 West Australians and 300-400 Boers during the South African War (1899-1902). An archaeological survey to test the applicability of Battlefield Patterning Analysis (PBA: as used on the Battle of Little Big Horn site, Montana, USA) was conducted to determine how the West Australians maintained tactical superiority throughout the encounter. The locations of fired cartridges, artillery artefacts and archival evidence showed that the successful all-day defence was due to good tactical positioning on West Australia Hill and fire discipline, aided by accurate British artillery. Dynamic Patterning, a component of PBA, was developed further by the use of two innovative methods of recording spent ammunition characteristics: off-centredness of firing pin indentations, and marks within firing pin indentations of the fired cartridges. The ammunition finds for both Australian and Boers soldiers demonstrated the application of BPA on 20th century battlefields.

Racing Fast and Slow: Defining the Tactical Behavior That Differentiates Medalists in Elite Men's 1,500 m Championship Racing.

Background: 1,500 m running has long been a blue ribbon event of track championship racing. The eventual medalists employ common tactical behaviors such as a fast sustained pace from the start (gun-to-tape), or, slow initial laps that precede a precisely timed race kick. Before the kick, there are positional changes caused by surging, that can go uncharacterized. The inter-relationship of surge events, tactical positioning, and kick execution may have important implications for eventual medal winning outcomes and require further definition.Methods: In a randomized order, three middle-distance running experts were provided publically available video (YouTube) of 16 men's 1,500 m championship races across, European, World and Olympic championships. Each expert determined the occurrence of surges (defined as any point in the 1,500 m after the first 300 m where an athlete repositions by ≥3 places; or noticeably dictates a raise in the pace from the front) and the race kick. Following a second level verification of expert observations, tactical behaviors (quantity and distance marker within each race) mean distance from the finish were compared between fast (≤3:34.00, n = 5), medium (>3:34.00– ≤3:41.99, n = 7) and slow (≥3:42.00, n = 4) race categories.Results: Before the race kick, there were more surges in slow (5 ± 1.7, mean ±90% confidence limits) vs. fast races (1 ± 0.4, very large difference, very likely). The final surge before the race kick occurred earlier in fast (704 ± 133 m from the finish) vs. medium (427 ± 83 m, large difference, most likely), and slow races (370 ± 137 m, large difference, most likely). At initiation of the race kick in fast races, large positional differences were found between eventual gold (2 ± 1.2; likely) and silver (2.2 ± 1.6; likely) vs. bronze medalists (4.4 ± 1.2). In slow races, positional differences were unclear between eventual gold (4.3 ± 4.7), silver (4.8 ± 4.8) and bronze medalists (5.3 ± 1.5). Regardless of category, the race kick occurred on the last lap, with unclear differences between fast 244 ± 92 m medium 243 ± 56 m and slow 236 ± 142 m races.Conclusions: Presenting tactical behaviors by race categorization (slow, medium, fast race times), provides a novel understanding of the nuance of racing tactics. The present findings highlight the importance of considering within race athlete decision making across multiple-race scenarios during championship preparation.

A IMPORTÂNCIA DO GOLEIRO E SUA PARTICIPAÇÃO TÁTICA COM A BOLA NOS PÉS

Modern football has become faster and more dynamic due to changes in rules. In this way, with all the tactical modifications, the goalkeeper startedto have even greater importance within his team. This study aimed to analyze the importance of the goalkeeper in professional football matches. Thirteen football matches were analyzed, divided into two groups. Group 1 was comprised of the analysis of ninematches played during the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Group 2 was formed by four matches of other competitions, selected from the participation of goalkeepers with greater skill in the feet, according to the ranking of goal of the International Federation of Football History &amp; Statistics(IFFHS). The games were downloaded on the public domain site of Youtube and then analyzed through the software SKOUT, regarding the tactical positioning and quantification of the numbers of each goalkeeper (technical part) during the matches. The Shapiro-Wilk normality test was used for normality analysis and then the Student's t-test for independent samples (p&lt;0.05). It was verified that the goalkeepers of Group 2 presented greater participation in the fundamentals of pass, reception, finishing, hand replacement, driving and scored goals (p&lt;0.05). However, in the mean of errors in the pass, reception and driving fundamentals the differences were not significant. It is concluded that the goalkeepers of Group 2 presented greater participation in the fundamentals that required skill with the possession of ball.

Pacing Strategy and Tactical Positioning During Cyclo-Cross Races.

To describe pacing strategy and competitive behavior in elite-level cyclo-cross races. Data from 329 men and women competing in 5 editions (2012-2016) of Union Cycliste Internationale Cyclo-Cross World Championships were compiled. Individual mean racing speeds from each lap were normalized to the mean speeds of the whole race. Lap and overall rankings were also explored. Pacing strategy was compared between sexes and between top- and bottom-placed cyclists. A significant main effect of laps was found in 8 out of 10 races (4 positive, 3 variable, 2 even, and 1 negative pacing strategies), and an interaction effect of ranking-based groups was found in 2 (2016, male and female races). Kendall tau-b correlations revealed an increasingly positive relationship between intermediate and overall rankings throughout the races. The number of overtakes during races decreased from start to finish, as suggested by significant Friedman tests. In the first lap, normalized cycling speeds were different in 3 out of 5 editions-men were faster in 1 and slower in 2 editions. In the last lap, however, normalized cycling speeds of men were lower than those of women in 4 editions. Elite cyclo-cross competitors adopt slightly distinct pacing strategies in each race, but positive pacing strategies are highly probable in most events, with more changes in rankings during the first laps. Sporadically, top- and bottom-placed groups might adopt different pacing strategies during either men's or women's races. Men and women seem to distribute their efforts differently, but this effect is of small magnitude.

Pacing Behavior and Tactical Positioning in 500- and 1000-m Short-Track Speed Skating.

To explore pacing behavior and tactical positioning during the shorter 500- and 1000-m short-track competitions. Lap times and intermediate rankings of elite 500- and 1000-m short-track-skating competitors were collected over the 2012-13 season. First, lap times were analyzed using a MANOVA, and for each lap, differences between sex, race type, final ranking, and stage of competition were determined. Second, Kendall tau-b correlations were used to assess relationships between intermediate and final rankings. In addition, intermediate rankings of the winner of each race were examined. Top-placed athletes appeared faster than bottom-placed athletes in every lap in the 500-m, while in the 1000-m no differences were found until the final 4 laps (P < .05). Correlations between intermediate and final rankings were already high at the beginning stages of the 50-m (lap 1: r = .59) but not for the 1000-m (lap 1: r = .21). Although 500- and 1000-m short-track races are both relatively short, fundamental differences in pacing behavior and tactical positioning were found. A fast-start strategy seems to be optimal for 500-m races, while the crucial segment in 1000-m races seems to be from the 6th lap to the finish line (ie, after ± 650 m). These findings provide evidence to suggest that athletes balance between choosing an energetically optimal profile and the tactical and positional benefits that play a role when riding against an opponent, as well as contributing to developing novel insights in exploring athletic behavior when racing against opponents.

SYSTEMATIC CALIBRATION FOR A BACKPACKED SPHERICAL PHOTOGRAMMETRY IMAGING SYSTEM

A spherical camera can observe the environment for almost 720 degrees’ field of view in one shoot, which is useful for augmented reality, environment documentation, or mobile mapping applications. This paper aims to develop a spherical photogrammetry imaging system for the purpose of 3D measurement through a backpacked mobile mapping system (MMS). The used equipment contains a Ladybug-5 spherical camera, a tactical grade positioning and orientation system (POS), i.e. SPAN-CPT, and an odometer, etc. This research aims to directly apply photogrammetric space intersection technique for 3D mapping from a spherical image stereo-pair. For this purpose, several systematic calibration procedures are required, including lens distortion calibration, relative orientation calibration, boresight calibration for direct georeferencing, and spherical image calibration. The lens distortion is serious on the ladybug-5 camera’s original 6 images. Meanwhile, for spherical image mosaicking from these original 6 images, we propose the use of their relative orientation and correct their lens distortion at the same time. However, the constructed spherical image still contains systematic error, which will reduce the 3D measurement accuracy. Later for direct georeferencing purpose, we need to establish a ground control field for boresight/lever-arm calibration. Then, we can apply the calibrated parameters to obtain the exterior orientation parameters (EOPs) of all spherical images. In the end, the 3D positioning accuracy after space intersection will be evaluated, including EOPs obtained by structure from motion method.

Pacing Behavior and Tactical Positioning in 1500-m Short-Track Speed Skating.

To gain more insight in pacing behavior and tactical positioning in 1500-m short-track speed skating, a sport in which several athletes directly compete in the same race. Lap times and intermediate rankings of elite 1500-m short-track- skating competitors were collected over the season 2012-13 (N = 510, 85 races). Two statistical approaches were used to assess pacing behavior and tactical positioning. First, lap times were analyzed using a MANOVA, and for each lap differences between sex, race type, final rankings, and stage of competition were determined. Second, Kendall tau b correlations were used to assess relationships between intermediate and final rankings. In addition, intermediate rankings of the winner of each race were examined. In 1500 m (13.5 laps of 111.12 m), correlations between intermediate and final ranking gradually increased throughout the race (eg, lap 1, r = .05; lap 7, r = .26; lap 13, r = .85). Moreover, the percentage of race winners skating in the leading position was over 50% during the last 3 laps. Top finishers were faster than bottom-place finishers only during the last 5 laps, with on average 0.1- to 1.5-s faster lap times of the race winners compared with the others during the last 5 laps. Although a fast start led to faster finishing times, top finishers were faster than bottom-placed finishers only during the last 5 laps. Moreover, tactical positioning at 1 of the foremost positions during the latter phase of the race appeared to be a strong determinant of finishing position.