title: The effect of playing formation on high-intensity running and technical profiles in English FA Premier League soccer matches.
abstract: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of playing formation on high-intensity running and technical performance during elite soccer matches. Twenty English FA Premier League games were analysed using a multiple-camera computerized tracking system (n = 153 players). Overall ball possession did not differ (P < 0.05) between 4-4-2, 4-3-3 and 4-5-1 formations (50%, s = 7 vs. 49%, s = 8 vs. 44%, s = 6). No differences were observed in high-intensity running between 4-4-2, 4-3-3 and 4-5-1 formations. Compared with 4-4-2 and 4-3-3 formations, players in a 4-5-1 formation performed less very high-intensity running when their team was in possession (312 m, s = 196 vs. 433 m, s = 261 vs. 410 m, s = 270; P 5 0.05) but more when their team was not in possession (547 m, s = 217 vs. 461 m, s = 156 vs. 459 m, s = 169; P < 0.05). Attackers in a 4-3-3 performed ~30% more (P < 0.05) high-intensity running than attackers in 4-4-2 and 4-5-1 formations. However, the fraction of successful passes was highest in a 4-4-2 (P < 0.05) compared with 4-3-3 and 4-5-1 formations. The results suggest that playing formation does not influence the overall activity profiles of players, except for attackers, but impacts on very high-intensity running activity with and without ball possession and some technical elements of performance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sports and Exercise, Soccer Research Group, University of Sunderland, Sunderland, UK. paul.s.bradley@sunderland.ac.uk
authors.forename: Paul S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Bradley
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Carling
authors.forename: Dave
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Archer
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dodds
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Di Mascio
authors.forename: Darren
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Paul
authors.forename: Antonio Gomez
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Diaz
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Peart
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Krustrup
mesh_terms: D056352:Athletes; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D004739:England; D006801:Humans; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology*