Record and Evaluation of Set-Plays in European Football Championship in Portugal 2004

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to record and evaluate the characteristics of successful set-plays. The examination of the 32 games from the European Soccer Championship (Euro 2004) was conducted with the aid of video-analysis’ software Sportscout. There was examined the type of the offense that ended with a goal scoring, the frequency of goal scoring examined in a time-basis of half-time, the type of the set-play and the way that the goal was scored. The statistical analysis was conducted with and the non parametric chisquare test. The results indicate that 35.6% of the total goals were scored after a set-play. As far as the time at
which the goals were scored concerned, it was found that 47.6% of the goals were scored in the first half whereas 52.4% in the second (p>.05). It was also found that 40% of the goals were scored after a corner kick, 30% after a free kick, 25% after a penalty kick and 5% after throw in. Finally it was recorded the limb with which the goal was scored (head, foot) without finding statistical significant difference. The results indicate the participation of set-plays in winning in modern soccer. The above lead us to the conclusion that coaches should focus on set-plays both on offensive and defensive aspect of them so as utilize the advantages that seem to appear.