How Game Location Affects Soccer Performance: T-Pattern Analysis of Attack Actions in Home and Away Matches

Abstract

The influence of game location on performance has been widely examined in sport contexts. Concerning soccer, game-location affects positively the secondary and tertiary level of performance; however, there are fewer evidences about its effect on game structure (primary level of performance). This study aimed to detect the effect of game location on a primary level of performance in soccer. In particular, the objective was to reveal the hidden structures underlying the attack actions, in both home and away matches played by a top club (Serie A 2012/2013—First Leg). The methodological approach was based on systematic observation, supported by digital recordings and T-pattern analysis. Data were analyzed with THEME 6.0 software. A quantitative analysis, with nonparametric Mann–Whitney test and descriptive statistics, was carried out to test the hypotheses. A qualitative analysis on complex patterns was performed to get in-depth information on the game structure. This study showed that game tactics were significantly different, with home matches characterized by a more structured and varied game than away matches. In particular, a higher number of different patterns, with a higher level of complexity and including more unique behaviors was detected in home matches than in the away ones. No significant differences were found in the number of events coded per game between the two conditions. THEME software, and the corresponding T-pattern detection algorithm, enhance research opportunities by going further than frequency-based analyses, making this method an effective tool in supporting sport performance analysis and training. ; The research was supported by Spanish government projects "La actividad física y el deporte como potenciadores de estilo de vida saludable: Evaluación del comportamiento deportivo desde metodologías no intrusivas" (Grant DEP2015-66069-P, MINECO/FEDER, UE), and also "Avances metodológicos y tecnológicos en el estudio observacional del comportamiento deportivo" (Grant PSI2015-71947-REDT, MINECO/FEDER, UE) (Secretaría de Estado de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación del Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia). We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Catalan government project Grup de recerca i innovació en dissenys (GRID). Tecnologia i aplicació multimedia i digital als dissenys observacionals (Grant number 2014 SGR 971). The research was also supported by the Icelandic Research Council Technology Grant (number: 153476-0611). We also acknowledge the support of University of Barcelona (Vice-Chancellorship of Doctorate and Research Promotion). ; Peer Reviewed