Don’t turn blind! The relationship between exploration before ball possession and on-ball performance in association football
Journal article
McGuckian, Thomas B., Cole, Michael H., Jordet, Geir, Chalkley, Daniel and Pepping, Gert-Jan. (2018). Don’t turn blind! The relationship between exploration before ball possession and on-ball performance in association football. Frontiers in Psychology. 9(Article 2520). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02520
Authors | McGuckian, Thomas B., Cole, Michael H., Jordet, Geir, Chalkley, Daniel and Pepping, Gert-Jan |
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Abstract | Visual exploratory action – scanning movements expressed through left and right rotation of the head – allows perception of a surrounding environment and supports prospective actions. In the dynamically changing football environment, the extent to which exploratory action benefits a player’s subsequent performance with the ball is likely influenced by how and when the exploratory action occurs. Although few studies have examined the relationship between visual exploration and on-pitch football performance, it has been reported that a higher frequency of exploratory head movement up to 10-s before receiving the ball increases the likelihood of successful performance with the ball. This study investigated the relationship between head turn frequency and head turn excursion, and how and when exploratory head movement – within 10-s before ball possession – is related to performance with the ball in 11v11 match-play. Thirty-two semi-elite football players competed in 11v11 match-play. Head turn frequency and head turn excursion before ball possession were quantified with wearable inertial measurement units, and actions with the ball were coded via notational analysis. Odds ratio calculations were conducted to determine the associations between exploration variables and on-ball performance outcomes. A total of 783 actions with the ball were analyzed. Results revealed a strong relationship between head turn frequency and head turn excursion. Further, a higher than average head turn frequency and head turn excursion before receiving the ball resulted in a higher likelihood of turning with the ball, playing a pass in the attacking direction, and playing a pass to an area that is opposite to which it was received from. The strength of these outcomes varied for different time periods before receiving the ball. When players explored their environment with higher than average head turn frequency and excursion, they used more complex action opportunities afforded by the surrounding environment. Considerations for future research and practical implications are discussed. |
Keywords | soccer; performance analysis; affordance; decision making; vision; ecological psychology; spatial awareness; scanning |
Year | 2018 |
Journal | Frontiers in Psychology |
Journal citation | 9 (Article 2520) |
Publisher | Frontiers Research Foundation |
ISSN | 1664-1078 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02520 |
Scopus EID | 2-s2.0-85058190456 |
Open access | Published as ‘gold’ (paid) open access |
Research or scholarly | Research |
Page range | 1-13 |
Research Group | School of Behavioural and Health Sciences |
Publisher's version | License File Access Level Open |
Output status | Published |
Publication dates | |
Online | 10 Dec 2018 |
Publication process dates | |
Accepted | 27 Nov 2018 |
https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/886yz/don-t-turn-blind-the-relationship-between-exploration-before-ball-possession-and-on-ball-performance-in-association-football
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Publisher's version
OA_McGuckian_2018_Dont_turn_blind_the_relationship_between.pdf | |
License: CC BY 4.0 | |
File access level: Open |
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