Small-world networks in professional football: conceptual model and data (original) (raw)

2015, European Journal of Human Movement

The aim of this study was to verify whether interactions taking place between professional football players are compatible with the concept of small world networks. We observed 30 matches and analysed 7.583 collective offensive actions, since the beginning of possession of the ball to their loss, including: passes completed, passes received and crosses, involving a total of 22.518 intra-team interactions in the Portuguese Premier League, corresponding to all 2010/2011 season. The players were classified based on their tactical intervention region and movements, through four sectors: 1) goalkeepers; 2) defenders; 3) midfielders, and 4) forwards. Performance data was analysed using the Match Analysis Software Amisco ® (version 3.3.7.25). We analysed the relevant actions typically used during offensive phases, including: passes to teammates, crosses into the penalty box and ball receptions. The results suggest that players’ interactive behaviours within a football match support the exi...

Sign up for access to the world's latest research.

checkGet notified about relevant papers

checkSave papers to use in your research

checkJoin the discussion with peers

checkTrack your impact