Interpersonal coordination of opposing player dyads during attacks performed in official football matches

The purpose of this study was to characterise the interpersonal coordination between opponent players during offensive sequences in official matches and to verify if offensive sequences ended in shots to goal present different coordination patterns when compared than those that ended in defensive tackles. A total of 580 offensive sequences occurred during matches resulting in shots to goal (n = 172) or defensive tackles (n = 408) were analysed. The bidimensional coordinates and technical actions of male professional football players (n = 1160) were obtained using a video-based tracking system. Dyads were defined using a network analysis and composed of the nearest opponent. Interpersonal coordination of the dyads was analysed using the vector coding and the frequency for each coordination pattern was computed. In-phase was predominant for all displacement directions and offensive sequences outcomes, and antiphase was the least frequent. For lateral displacements, offensive sequences ending in shot to goal presented lower frequency for in-phase and higher frequency for offensive player phase than ended in defensive tackle. This information about the relationship of opponent players dyads during decisive moments of the matches provides fundamentals for future research and assists coaches to understand the different behaviours in successful and unsuccessful attacks.

Automated summary

The purpose of this study was to analyse the interplayer coordination between opponents during offensive sequences and to determine if different coordination patterns exist for offensive sequences ending in shots to goal compared to those ending in defensive tackles. A total of 580 offensive sequences were analysed, with 172 ending in shots to goal and 408 ending in defensive tackles. The results showed that in-phase coordination was the most common pattern for all displacement directions and offensive sequence outcomes, while antiphase coordination was the least frequent. For lateral displacements, offensive sequences ending in shots to goal had a lower frequency of in-phase coordination and a higher frequency of offensive player phase compared to those ending in defensive tackles. This study provides valuable insights for future research and helps coaches understand the behaviors of successful and unsuccessful attacks.