High-intensity running is one of the determinants for achieving score-box possession during soccer matches

Tomohiro Kai, Kyosuke Horio, Toru Aoki, Yohei Takai

[Received March 21, 2017; Accepted April 10, 2018] 

Time motion analysis has shown that high-intensity running (HIR) during soccer games is one of the important actions for achieving high performance. However, it is unclear whether HIR is needed and how much the player should perform HIR for achieving score-box possessions which is defined as successful team possessions. This study aimed to quantify the distance covered at HIR with relation to classification of team possession. Eighteen collegiate male soccer players performed five official soccer games. During the games, x- and y- coordinates were determined by using a global positioning system. Total distance (DSUM) and the distance covered over 5.0 m/s (DHIR) were calculated from the two coordinates. Team possessions during games was classified from the films obtained by camera, score-box possession (SBP) vs. no score-box possession (NSBP), and counter attack vs. elaborate attack, and state of the opponent defenders (balanced vs. imbalanced). DHIR in counter attack was longer in SBP than NSBP, regardless of opponent defender’s state. DHIR in elaborate attack with balanced was greater in SBP than in NSBP. The current results demonstrate that DHIR in score-box possession is superior to that in no score-box possession, indicating that DHIR is one of the determinants for achieving score-box possession during soccer games.

Keywords: time-motion analysis, GPS, counter attack, elaborate attack

[Football Science Vol.15, 61-69, 2018]


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