Soccer tactics. Dynamics of small-sided games and full-sized matches

PhD ceremony: Mr. W.G.P. Frencken, 14.30 uur, Academiegebouw, Broerstraat 5, Groningen

Dissertation: Soccer tactics. Dynamics of small-sided games and full-sized matches

Promotor(s): prof. C. Visscher

Faculty: Medical Sciences

Frencken has performed a series of studies with young, adult, amateur and elite-standard soccer players to gain insights in tactical performance indicators during small-sided games like 4 versus 4 and full-sized matches. Among others, changes in patterns in inter-team distances and surface areas of two teams were analyzed using positional data (x,y-coordinates obtained with a tracking system) of players. Additionally, pitch dimensions were manipulated to establish changes in pattern formation and goal-scoring opportunities and goals were predicted from tactical performance indicators.

With this thesis, Frencken demonstrates that tactical patterns can be visualized with positional data; that surface areas, centroid positions and inter-team distances describe the rhythmic flow of attacking and defending; that pitch dimensions constrain tactical performance and that goal-scoring opportunities and goals are preceded by changes in tactical performance indicators in small-sided games and full-sized matches.