Teamwork and performance in professional women's football: A network-based analysis
A summary of the article:
The article "Teamwork and Performance in Professional Women's Football: A Network-Based Analysis" explores the role of teamwork in the success of professional women’s football teams. Using a network analysis approach, the study examines data from 694 matches in major leagues and tournaments, including the Women’s Super League (WSL) and the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). The study investigates how factors like ball possession, passing patterns, and player connectivity relate to match outcomes, ladder positions, and overall team success. It reveals that successful teams tend to have higher levels of connectivity, with key players central to ball movement but not solely dependent on them. Teams with effective ball distribution across players generally perform better over a season or tournament.
The results show that successful teams in women’s football exhibit strong teamwork characterized by more connected play, lower reliance on specific players, and effective ball movement across the team. League teams, which spend more time together, tend to have higher levels of interconnectedness compared to national teams in tournament settings. The study highlights the importance of tactical strategies that emphasize collective play rather than individual dependency for achieving success in women’s football.
Key Takeaways:
Higher connectivity leads to success: Successful teams are highly interconnected, with effective ball movement and passing patterns that engage multiple players.
Reduced reliance on key players: Although key players are important for passing, successful teams do not overly rely on them for ball distribution, spreading the load across the team.
League teams show stronger teamwork: Teams that play together more regularly, like in leagues, demonstrate better teamwork and connectivity compared to teams assembled for tournaments.
Authors: Laura M.S. de Jong, Paul B. Gastin, Lyndell Bruce & Dan B. Dwyer
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