T-pattern detection in score attempt: A soccer study

Abstract 0

Several traditional soccer analyses essentially show quantitative data but not the environment where and when the actions (and interactions) are developed. Observational studies need to expand indices of performance beyond frequencies of occurrence to be able to accurately represent the performances being observed. The analysis for pattern detection in the most critical or representative game actions, tend to be more profitable than adding more quantitative data. In this sense, the purpose of this study was to detect and analyse inter and intra individual patterns in the cross play and free kick score attempts context. A multidimensional, nomothetic and sequential observational design was developed. The sample was formed by 47 games of the Korea/Japan 2002 FIFA World Cup, where 55 free kicks and 285 cross plays were coded to temporal pattern analysis with THEME 5.0. In this study was used observational instrument (SofGr1) composed by four criteria: 1) offensive process (OP) characteristics; 2) attempt to score; 3) Gk actions in the defensive process; 4) OP efficiency. The reliability analysis of this instrument revealed high Cohen's K (values above 0.975 for all criteria). T-patterns were obtained in both free kick and cross play attempts to score. One complete t-pattern was detected in free kick plays and seventeen in cross plays (in both situations no goals were scored) pointing out to the importance of the initial conditions and the game non-linearity. The results also reveal incomplete t-patterns leading to goal and illustrate how important is i) in free kicks to direct the shot to the top corners and don't suffer a course change and ii) reinforce the efficacy of the shots to the low corners and the lateral corridors cross plays.