Technical comparison of positional and inter-positional roles in elite level football
Author
James, Elliot
Date
2014Type
Thesis
Publisher
Cardiff Metropolitan University
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Match analysis was used to identify the differing technical responsibilities of elite level
footballers, in relation to their position. Performance indicators were selected, in order to
analyse executions of technical actions, with skill ratings being attributed to each action.
Centre backs, full backs, central midfielders, wingers and forwards were all analysed, with
all on the ball executions being noted. Post-match analysis was undertaken, with the
games involving Spain (n=5), Germany (n=5), Italy (n=5) and Portugal (n=5) being taken
from the 2012 European Championship.
Intra-observer reliability was undertaken, to ensure valid and reliable results were
obtained. Acceptable levels of agreement were highlighted by good Kappa statistic scores.
The results showed that different positions have clear technical responsibilities, to ensure
that high levels of performance are reached. Furthermore, passing was seen to be the
most important technical variable, being the only action completed in every area of the
pitch. The midfield area was the most common area in terms of executions (30.4%), and
combined with the high frequency counts that central midfielders had for all technical
variables, gave credence to the idea to analyse this area further.
Deeper analysis allowed for further breakdown of the actions completed by the CM units,
into individual players. It was seen that of the majority of teams analysed, certain players
were seen to complete the bulk of the actions for a certain skill, showing that there are
differences between players who play in the same position.
In conclusion, Spain were seen to be the better technical team, both in terms of execution
of technical skills, and positional play. Furthermore, it was theorized that players who
operate in the same positional unit do not necessarily play in an identical fashion.
Description
DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
(HONOURS)
SPORT AND EXERCISE SCIENCE
Collections
Related items
Showing items related by title, author, subject and abstract.
-
Technical skills of midfield players in elite male football
Wildley, Peter (University of Wales Institute Cardiff, 2008)Existing notational analysis conducted with association football has primarily focused upon quantitatively analysing tactical aspects of performance and until recent years there has been a scarcity of studies qualitatively ... -
The identification of valid performance indicators in non-elite volleyball
Ly, Hai-Binh (2013-09)The purpose of the dissertation is to identify valid volleyball performance indicators of all technical skills and combined technical skills in non-elite volleyball using the original performance indicators and key performance ... -
Technical comparison of positional roles in professional football
Cullinane, Adam (University of Wales Institute Cardiff, 2008)Match analysis in professional football has rarely focussed on individual players’ actual technical ability or execution of skill. Performance indicators were selected to analyse the skill executions used across the differing ...