Analysis of the Successful Counter-Attacks in High-Standard Soccer Games

Vasilis Armatas, Athanasios Giannakos, Dionisis Ampatis, & Paraskevi Sileloglou

Laboratory of Coaching

Department of Physical Education & Sport Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Hellas

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to examine the element of counter-attack in football games of Cham- pions League 2002-03. The sample was consisted of 30 games, which were analyzed with the videoanalysis program Sportscout. In spesific the pattern of recovering the ball and the territory that the counter-attack started, the number of the offensive players that were participated actively to complete the effort, the number of the defensive players that attempted to prevent the effort of counter-attack of the opponent and the point of the goalpost to which the ball ended were examined. Regarding the way that counter attacks began, a significant amount of them (52.8%, p<.05) started by stealing the ball, while the counter-attack was expressed by 2 attackers (35.5%) and 3 attackers (32.2%).. Studying the counter attacks from which goals were achieved, it was observed that the 54.6% of them began from the central axis and the 72.7% took place after stealing the ball. According to the results of the present study, the majority of the goals achieved at the counter-attack began from the central area by stealing the ball and with the participation of two or three attackers. Elite teams follow an aggressive tactic of defense, applying pressing in the center area and near the opponents’ penalty area, intenting to recover the possession of the ball and start an attack. In order to increase the probabilities of ball recovering and start- ing counter-attack, coaches should focus on improving the teams’ defensive tactics and physical condition (special resistance - stamina) so that players should accomplish effectively pressing and for more time.