The role of graduates physical activity and sport sciences in age soccer categories.

En la actualidad en los clubes de fútbol conviven profesionales con diferente formación desempeñando la labor de entrenadores, entre los cuales se encuentran los titulados en Ciencias de la Actividad Física y el Deporte. Estos deben mostrar una mayor calidad en sus actuaciones, acorde con sus conocimientos, para que la sociedad valore su profesionalidad. El presente artículo es una reflexión personal basada en los años de experiencia trabajando en el ámbito del fútbol, en el cual se trata de establecer los aspectos diferenciadores entre los entrenadores con estudios universitarios en el área de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y el Deporte y el resto de técnicos sin esa formación.Today in football clubs coexist professionals with different academic knowledge performing the work of coaches, including graduates in Science of Physical Activity and Sport. These should show greater quality in their actions, according to their knowledge, so that society values their professionalism. This article is a personal reflection based on years of experience working in the field of football, in which it is set differentiators among coaches with university studies in the area of Sciences of Physical Activity and Sport and the other technical training without this Knowledge.Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deport

Gender Differences in Technical-Tactical Behaviour of la Liga Spanish Football Teams

[Abstract] The aim of this study was to identify differences in technical-tactical behaviour between the men and women first division football teams of the Spanish league, to this end 68 matches corresponding to 2016/17 season were analysed. A comparative analysis of the medians was carried out using the Mann-Whitney U-tests were conducted as post hoc tests. The size effect of this test was calculated and, finally, we performed a grouping of the variables through the clustering bootstrapping technique in both groups. We have detected statistically significant differences (p <0.01) regarding all accurate passes, in favour of men, as well as a greater number of yellow cards. In female football, a greater number of picking up free balls, interceptions, lost balls, recoveries and challenges are produced. Finally, in women's football a greater number of attacks are also carried out, both positional and counterattacks than in men. The clustering analysis allowed us to identify that in male football, the circumstance of receiving a red card is closely related to the number of goals conceded and most of the shots on goal are achieved by positional attacks. In the case of women's football, ball possession on own half is closely related to the number of losses. Data proves the existence of technicaltactical differences between male and female football of the La Liga teams. Such detailed analysis could be useful for gender-specific training information for optimal preparation. However, more research is warranted to establish the main gender differences and characterize women's football.We gratefully acknowledge the support of Generalitat Valenciana proyect: Análisis observacional de la acción de juego en el fútbol de élite (Consellería d´Educació, Investigació, Cultura i Esport) during the period: 2017-2019 (GV2017/044). We also acknowledge the support of Universidad Católica de Valencia “San Vicente Mártir” project: Estudios en el deporte de élite desde los Mixed Methods: técnicas de análisis de estudios comparativos, during the period 2018 [Grant UCV2017/230-002]Generalitat Valenciana; GV2017/044Universidad Católica de Valencia; UCV2017/230-00

Análisis de los factores de rendimiento de las transiciones ofensivas en el fútbol de alto nivel

El presente trabajo de investigación consiste en un análisis predictivo de las transiciones ofensivas realizadas por los mejores equipos nacionales europeos de fútbol. Los principales objetivos planteados en la investigación son determinar si es posible predecir el resultado de las secuencias ofensivas del juego, y si es así, identificar qué variables permitirán realizar dichas predicciones. Para abordar estos objetivos se ha utilizado el modelo multivariable de regresión logística. La muestra consiste en 14 partidos, 743 transiciones ofensivas de la fase final de la Eurocopa de Austria-Suiza 2008. La utilización de este modelo permite concluir que es posible realizar una predicción del resultado de las transiciones ofensivas que se suceden en el transcurso del encuentro y también, determinar cuáles son las variables que posibilitan realizar esta predicción. Los datos demuestran que se puede predecir el resultado final de las transiciones ofensivas en función de la configuración espacial de interacción de inicio, así como también de la intención táctica del equipo y de la duración. Esta información podrá ser aprovecha por los entrenadores para crear tareas en el entrenamiento que provoquen la aparición de estas condiciones en las transiciones ofensivas del equipo, con el objeto de automatizarlas para mejorar el rendimiento de las mismas en el juego

Análisis de los factores de rendimiento de las transiciones ofensivas en el fútbol de alto nivel

El presente trabajo de investigación consiste en un análisis predictivo de las transiciones ofensivas realizadas por los mejores equipos nacionales europeos de fútbol. Los principales objetivos planteados en la investigación son determinar si es posible predecir el resultado de las secuencias ofensivas del juego, y si es así, identificar qué variables permitirán realizar dichas predicciones. Para abordar estos objetivos se ha utilizado el modelo multivariable de regresión logística. La muestra consiste en 14 partidos, 743 transiciones ofensivas de la fase final de la Eurocopa de Austria-Suiza 2008. La utilización de este modelo permite concluir que es posible realizar una predicción del resultado de las transiciones ofensivas que se suceden en el transcurso del encuentro y también, determinar cuáles son las variables que posibilitan realizar esta predicción. Los datos demuestran que se puede predecir el resultado final de las transiciones ofensivas en función de la configuración espacial de interacción de inicio, así como también de la intención táctica del equipo y de la duración. Esta información podrá ser aprovecha por los entrenadores para crear tareas en el entrenamiento que provoquen la aparición de estas condiciones en las transiciones ofensivas del equipo, con el objeto de automatizarlas para mejorar el rendimiento de las mismas en el juego.The present research project consists of a predictive analysis of the offensive transitions (defensive-offensive transitions) performed by the best European national football teams. The main aims in the research were to determine whether it is possible to predict the result of offensive transitions during a match and, if so, to identify which variables will determine those predictions. To tackle these objectives a logistic regression multivariable model was used. The sample consisted of 14 matches, and 743 offensive transitions during the final stage the Swiss-Austrian European Cup 2008. The use of this model enabled us to conclude that it is possible to predict the result of the offensive transitions performed during the match and, furthermore, to determine which variables enble us to make these predictions. The data show that we can foresee the final outcome of offensive transitions depending on the spatial configuration interaction beginning, as well as the team's tactical intention and duration. This information may be used by trainers to create performance tasks which may result in the appearance of these conditions in the team's offensive transitions, in order to automatize performance in the gameNo presente trabalho realiza-se uma análise das transições ofensivas (transição defesa-ataque) realizadas pelas melhores selecções nacionais europeias de futebol. Os principais objectivos formulados na investigação são determinar se é possível predizer o resultado das transições ofensivas do jogo, e se assim for, identificar que variáveis permitirão realizar essas predições. Para abordar estes objectivos realizou-se um modelo multivariado de regressão logística. A amostra consta de 14 jogos, 743 transições ofensivas da fase final do Campeonato da Europa Áustria-Suíça de 2008. A utilização deste modelo permite concluir que é possível realizar uma predição do resultado das transições ofensivas que sucedem no decorrer do jogo e também determinar quais são as variáveis que possibilitam realizar esta predição. Os dados revelam que se pode prognosticar o resultado final das transições ofensivas em função da configuração espacial de interacção inicial, assim como da intenção táctica da equipa e da duração. Esta informação poderá ser aproveitada pelos treinadores para criarem tarefas no treino que originem a aparição destas condições nas transições ofensivas da equipa, com o objectivo de automatizá-las e assim melhorar o rendimento em competição

Cómo mejorar la efectividad en un jugador de tenis: Modelos de regresión log-lineales

La efectividad en el deporte hace referencia al impacto alcanzado por una acción llevada a cabo en condiciones habituales, estando presente en la ejecución de cualquier actividad física, referida a la capacidad para producir el efecto deseado, y está relacionada con la e$cacia, entendida como el efecto de una acción llevada a cabo en las mejores condiciones posibles, y que tiene como objetivo, lograr la meta, o conseguir el triunfo. El objetivo de este trabajo consistió en identificar la relación entre la zona y el tipo de golpe, desde la cual el tenista presenta mayor y menor efectividad en el juego. Para ello se observó a un tenista durante 12 entrenamientos con un rival de nivel equivalente, según la ATP, durante la temporada 2012-2013, registrando su situación en la cancha y el tipo de golpe de todas las devoluciones con éxito, entendido como obtención del punto o recuperación del saque. Se crearon tres criterios categóricos que constituyen un instrumento de observación para registrar el juego del tenista en la zona horizontal, y la zona vertical de la pista, además del tipo de golpe que realiza en términos de drive, revés, smash y dejada. Utilizando la técnica de regresión log-lineal, se obtuvieron resultados que indican que el jugador presenta una menor efectividad en los golpes realizados desde el lado izquierdo, y muestra una mayor efectividad en el drive y revés ejecutados desde media pista o fondo del lado derecho. La interpretación de los resultados aporta información sobre las localizaciones en la pista y los golpes, relacionados con su mayor y menor efectividad

Editorial: Observational Methodology in Sport: Performance Key Elements

Performance analysis is today essential to all domains of sport. Advances in technology increased its meaning in soccer practice contexts, thus big data incites researchers to scrutinize the variables that may help a better understanding of athletes and teams. This topic intended to understand how the selection and combination of performance variables effect the performances, and to predict the functioning of performance indicators in each sport thus permitting to plan more effective training and playing pedagogical and methodological models. Most studies were performed in team sports. Successful and unsuccessful teams are best discriminated by greater shooting accuracy and ball possession, more recovered balls nearby own goal and less shots conceded. Penetrative actions after recovering the ball and progressing by fast attacks or counterattacks induce superior goal-scoring opportunities, in specific in winning situations. About pedagogical procedures, increasing rules manipulations negatively impact exploratory behaviour. About individual sports, athletes used most difficult tactics to achieve the highest score, and considering psychological performance indicators, self-esteem, neuroticism, and conscientiousness variables seemed to distinguish individual and team sports. This research topic present ideas about the application of scientific knowledge in the practices of individual and team sports, concerning to methodological and pedagogical principles

Multivariate Exploratory Comparative Analysis of LaLiga Teams: Principal Component Analysis

The use of principal component analysis (PCA) provides information about the main characteristics of teams, based on a set of indicators, instead of displaying individualized information for each of these indicators. In this work we have considered reducing an extensive data matrix to improve interpretation, using PCA. Subsequently, with new components and with multiple linear regression, we have carried out a comparative analysis between the best and bottom teams of LaLiga. The sample consisted of the matches corresponding to the 2015/16, 2016/17 and 2017/18 seasons. The results showed that the best teams were characterized and differentiated from bottom teams in the realization of a greater number of successful passes and in the execution of a greater number of dynamic offensive transitions. The bottom teams were characterized by executing more defensive than offensive actions, showing fewer number of goals and a greater ball possession time in the final third of the field. Goals, ball possession time in the final third of the field, number of effective shots and crosses are the main discriminating performance factors of football. This information allows us to increase knowledge about the key performance indicators (KPI) in football

Application of multivariant decision tree technique in high performance football: The female and male corner kick

The use of multidimensional statistical technique based on decision trees is of recent application in sports science. In the case of football, this technique has not yet been sufficiently proven. The aim of the present study was to search for different success models for the cor- ners in the FIFA World Cup 2014 and FIFA Women's World Cup 2015. For this, the statistical analysis focused on the search for classification models for the different criteria considered (shot, shot between the three posts and goal), based on the creation of different decision trees that allow the most important variables to be identified quickly and efficiently. For this, 1117 corners were collected between the two competitions, performed in 116 international matches. It has been possible to establish multivariate models for the 'shot' and 'shot between the three posts' criteria, allowing, in some cases, to quadruple the potential for offensive success. On the other hand, we have been able to identify significant differences in the male and female model of execution. These findings suggest the need to continue deepening the study of tactical behavior in women's soccer from a multivariate perspective, and also propose a better optimization of the management and training of this type of actions for both male and female football. In addition, it has allowed to test the decision tree statistical technique in the analysis of high performance football, with satisfactory results and of great relevance in the applied field

The Influence of Match Status on Ball Possession in High Performance Women's Football

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of the situational match status variable on the ball possession of the teams that participated in the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup. The 52 games played during the championship have been collected, and 3,740 ball possessions made by the teams were analyzed. The teams have been divided into successful and unsuccessful. Three types of analysis have been carried out: a univariate analysis for both groups with the categorical and continuous variables selected; a bivariate analysis, using chi-square tests and the exact Fischer test; and finally, a multivariable technique such as the decision trees was incorporated. The available results show significant differences between the two groups considered. Specifically, there are significant differences between winning and losing teams in terms of match status. The results of the post hoc test have shown that unsuccessful teams make few ball possessions with a winning match status, most of the possessions are performed when they are losing. Instead, successful teams make more possessions when they are winning than when they are losing. Also, spend more time keeping the ball in their offensive zone, and completing a greater number of passes in it. The results of the decision tree identified that the unsuccessful teams have more ball possessions in forward and middle lines with a draw during the first half, while in the second, a large percentage of possessions are made with an unfavorable match status. Instead, the successful teams have more ball possessions in the first part with a draw, while in the second it happens with a favorable match status

Multivariate exploratory comparative analysis of LaLiga Teams: principal component analysis

The use of principal component analysis (PCA) provides information about the main characteristics of teams, based on a set of indicators, instead of displaying individualized information for each of these indicators. In this work we have considered reducing an extensive data matrix to improve interpretation, using PCA. Subsequently, with new components and with multiple linear regression, we have carried out a comparative analysis between the best and bottom teams of LaLiga. The sample consisted of the matches corresponding to the 2015/16, 2016/17 and 2017/18 seasons. The results showed that the best teams were characterized and differentiated from bottom teams in the realization of a greater number of successful passes and in the execution of a greater number of dynamic offensive transitions. The bottom teams were characterized by executing more defensive than offensive actions, showing fewer number of goals and a greater ball possession time in the final third of the field. Goals, ball possession time in the final third of the field, number of effective shots and crosses are the main discriminating performance factors of football. This information allows us to increase knowledge about the key performance indicators (KPI) in football.Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deport