Multivariate Analysis of the Offensive Phase in High-Performance Women’s Soccer: A Mixed Methods Study

Iyán Iván-Baragaño, Rubén Maneiro, José L. Losada and Antonio Ardá
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Iyán Iván-Baragaño: Department of Physical and Sport Education, University of A Coruña, 15179 A Coruña, Spain
Rubén Maneiro: Department of Science of Physical Activity and Sport, Pontifical University of Salamanca, 37002 Salamanca, Spain
José L. Losada: Department of Social Psychology and Quantitative Psychology, University of Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
Antonio Ardá: Department of Physical and Sport Education, University of A Coruña, 15179 A Coruña, Spain

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 11, 1-16

Abstract: Currently, there are still few studies on the tactical and contextual criteria that determine offensive success in women’s soccer. The objectives of this study were to discover contextual and tactical criteria that show an association with success in elite women’s soccer and to establish a multivariate predictive model for the offensive phase. For this, 2323 ball possessions were analyzed in FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019 via direct observation. In addition, eight semi-structured interviews were conducted with women’s soccer coaches and players. For direct observation, a bivariate analysis between the analysed criteria and possession’s outcome was suggested. Additionally, a multivariate predictive analysis was proposed via a decision tree method. To analyze the interviews, a sequential analysis of delays and polar coordinates analysis were carried out. It was established a multi-variant model of offensive success based on possession zone (middle offensive), initial offensive intention (progress) and start zone (preoffensive or offensive) criteria. The probability of offensive success was 75.2% interactively between those criteria. In addition, the analysis of the interviews allowed us to conclude that criteria related to technical–tactical performance, decision-making and physical capacities of the players will be decisive in increasing the probabilities of success.

Keywords: technical–tactical performance; women’s soccer; opposition sports; observation; mixed methods; ball possession (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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