Systematic Observation of Corner Kick Strategies in Portuguese Football Players

Set pieces are important for the success of football teams, with the corner kick being one of the most game defining events. The aim of this research was twofold: (1) to analyze the corner kicks of a senior football amateur team, and (2) to compare the corner kicks of successful and unsuccessful teams (of the 2020/21 sporting season). In total, 500 corners were observed using a bespoke notational analysis tool, using a specific observational instrument tool (8 criteria; 25 categories). Out of the 500 corner kicks, 6% resulted in a goal. A greater number of direct corners using inswing trajectories were performed (n = 54%). Corners were delivered to central and front post areas most frequently (n = 79%). Five attackers were most predominantly used for offensive corners (n = 58%), but defenders won the ball more frequently (n = 44%). Attempts at goal occurred following a corner most commonly from outside of the box (n = 7%). Goals were scored most frequently with the foot (n = 16%) and head (n = 15%). Successful teams are more effective at reaching the attackers and score more goals directly from corners. Unsuccessful teams deliver more corner kicks out of play, the first touch is more frequently from the opposition defenders, and fewe goals are scored from corner kicks. The study provides an insight into the determining factors and patterns that influence corner kicks and success in football matches. This information should be used by coaches to prepare teams for both offensive and defensive corner kicks to increase team success and match outcomes.

Contextual Variation in External and Internal Workloads across the Competitive Season of a Collegiate Women’s Soccer Team

As sports technology has continued to develop, monitoring athlete workloads, performance, and recovery has demonstrated boundless benefits for athlete and team success. Specifically, technologies such as global positioning systems (GPS) and heart rate (HR) monitors have granted the opportunity to delve deeper into performance contributors, and how variations may exist based upon context. A team of NCAA Division I women’s soccer athletes were monitored during games throughout one competitive season. Individual athlete, positional groups, and team external and internal workloads were explored for differences based upon game location, opponent ranking, game result, and the final score differential. Game location and opponent ranking were found to have no effect on team-wide absolute or relative external workloads, whereas game result and score differential did. Internal workloads across the team tended to only vary by game half, independent of game context; however, the HR of defenders was determined to be higher during losses as compared to wins (p = 0.0256). Notably, the games that resulted in losses also represented the games with the fewest number of substitutions. These findings suggest high value in monitoring performance and workloads that are characteristic of varying, often multifaceted, contexts. It is hoped that this information can lead to more informed approaches to vital game-time and coaching decisions.

Uncovering predictability of individual and team success: Significant Hot Hand Effect in International Cricket

We investigate the predictability and persistence (hot-hand effect) of individual and team performance by analyzing the complete recorded history of international cricket. We introduce an original temporal representation of performance streaks, which is suitable to be modelled as a self-exciting point process. We confirm the presence of predictability and hot-hands across the individual performance and the absence of the same in team performance and game outcome. Thus, Cricket is a game of skill for individuals and a game of chance for the teams. Our study contributes to recent historiographical debates concerning the presence of persistence in individual and collective productivity and success. The introduction of several metrics and methods can be useful to test and exploit clustering of performance in the study of human behavior and design of algorithms for predicting success.

How Follower Contribute to Team Success, Leadership Transformation and Organizational Excellence

Followers have typically been overlooked compared to leaders in an organizational setting but are a huge component of team success. A coach would not get “100 career wins” without the hard work of the team members on the field playing the game. A performer would not have the prosperity of a sold-out tour without the dedication of his fans. Followers are present in every group setting and are integral to the success of the team. They also play a part beyond supporting and following the leader. Followers’ engagement, relationships, and well-being directly affect the organization and leader. This paper will further explore the meaning of a follower and leader, examine the follower-leader interaction and its effectiveness in a team, and the overall value followers contribute to team success. In addition, this paper will reveal the critical success factors to maintain healthy follower-leader dynamics, it emphasizes the important role of practicing mindfulness, creating assertive communication and engagement channels, creating a motivating, and learning organizational culture, and boosting critical thinking and brainstorming activities to generate new pathways to boost organizational innovation. This case analysis will further help illustrate how the behaviors of the followers can shape leadership style and exhibit the importance of team recognition to create a healthy follower-leader relationship. Keywords: Team leadership, Team dynamics, Followership qualities, Transformational leadership, Organization culture, Motivation, Organization change

Who are the most important players in team sports

We present a statistical model using box scores from games as data to develop a theory to determine which players are the most important to success in team sports. We apply this to NBA basketball, NFL football and NHL hockey. The results show that the most important players for team success are not necessarily the most outstanding players. Moreover, its generally much more successful to have several good players rather than a single outstanding player. In NBA basketball, NFL football, and NHL hockey defensive players often stand out. The results are useful for good team construction, game strategy and recruiting of players.

Uncovering predictability of individual and team success: Significant Hot Hand Effect in International Cricket

We investigate the predictability and persistence (hot-hand effect) of individual and team performance by analyzing the complete recorded history of international cricket. We introduce an original temporal representation of performance streaks, which is suitable to be modelled as a self-exciting point process. We confirm the presence of predictability and hot-hands across the individual performance and the absence of the same in team performance and game outcome. Thus, Cricket is a game of skill for individuals and a game of chance for the teams. Our study contributes to recent historiographical debates concerning the presence of persistence in individual and collective productivity and success. The introduction of several metrics and methods can be useful to test and exploit clustering of performance in the study of human behavior and design of algorithms for predicting success.

Olympic Games as a Way to Evaluate the Mobilization (Strategic) Resources of the Country

Team success at the Olympic Games is a combination of material, demographic and cultural factors with non-material factors — will, fighting spirit, passion, patriotism. Exactly the same combination of factors determines the ability of a state to wage a war. Therefore, military capabilities of the state (as well as economic and technological ones), according to the author, can be assessed by results at the Olympic Games.

O032 The influence of travel and recovery inequality on game outcome in the National Basketball Association

Introduction Elite athletes are often required to travel for National and International competitions. However, the direction (westwards or eastwards), time zones crossed, and recovery days relative to their opponents may influence team success. The aim of this study was to determine whether differences in jetlag-induced circadian misalignment and number of recovery days between National Basketball Association (NBA) teams influenced the subsequent game result. Methods A total of 11,598 games from the 2011/2012 to the 2020/2021 seasons were analysed using mixed models with two fixed effects (travel, recovery) and three random effects (team, opponent, game time). Mediation modelling was also performed to determine if any influence of the fixed effects were mediated by another variable. The data is presented from the home team’s perspective. Results Teams with more recovery days between games, won by larger margins (F = 5.0, p < 0.001). Compared to one fewer recovery day (1.45 ± 13.92), one more recovery day (3.53 ± 13.51) advantaged the home team by 2.08 points (d = 0.15). The effect of travel on greater home team margins was completely mediated via recovery day differences (95% CI -0.11 to -0.03, p = 0.002). Discussion Using 10 seasons of data, our findings show that regardless of travel, recovery days between games significantly impact game margins. An advantage in recovery days should be considered for teams who travel more time zones westwards relative to their opponent. This suggests inequalities of the NBA schedule may be minimised for future seasons.

Something Old or Something New?

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced organizations to adjust co-located teams to virtual teams instantly. The applicability of known success factors for virtual teamwork to this situation is uncertain. Therefore, this study addresses the following research question: what factors relate to successful team adjustment to the new virtual work context? We hypothesize that perceived team success is influenced by individual and team factors and that these effects of team-related factors on perceived team success are moderated by team processes and team-/task-technology fit. A time-lagged online study was conducted at two timepoints during the initial lockdown in Germany with N = 110 employees working in teams. We found trust, task-technology fit, and communication to be significantly associated with perceived team performance. The results suggest that the instant adjustment might have led to a new phase related to team cycle episodes. We propose guidelines to prepare teams for future instant adjustments.