Systematic Observation of Corner Kick Strategies in Portuguese Football Players

Abstract

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.

Automated Discovery of Successful Strategies in Association Football

“…When studying strategies for the corner kick, a common and simple approach is to conduct various types of univariate [10,[13][14][15][16] or bivariate [10,[16][17][18][19][20] analyses. For example, using a chi-squared test of independence, researchers have looked for significant associations between various contextual factors (e.g., clock time, origin corner, and the number of attackers) and the level of success of a corner kick (e.g., shot, shot on goal, and goal).…”

Notational Analysis on Goal Scoring and Comparison in Two of the Most Important Soccer Leagues: Spanish La Liga and English Premier League

“…The reliability values range from 0 to 1; ICC < 0 indicates "no reliability", ICC ≥ 0 and <0.2 "light reliability", from 0.2 to <0.4 "reasonable reliability", from 0.4 to <0.6 "moderate reliability", from 0.6 to <0.8 "substantial reliability", and from 0.8 to <1 "almost perfect reliability" [32,33]. The CV, expressed as %CV, was a percentage of the mean, and generally CVs ≤ 5% indicate a good performance of the method, while CVs ≥ 10% do not [24].…”

“…From this perspective, it is crucial to investigate differences between competitive realities, understand them and classify the playing style using evidence-based approaches. In this domain, observational methodology has been widely used by researchers and coaches in recent years to have an in-depth knowledge of performance analysis in soccer [20][21][22][23][24]. At the same time, it allows us to understand the complex relations of the game of a more objective manner [25] and at the same time to surpass the limitations of traditional methodologies and focus on the action of the game with resource to this methodology [26][27][28].…”

Zones where corner kicks are most effective in the penalty box: Is there a sweet spot?

“…4,[7][8][9] Goals scored in football can be divided into two main types: Goals from open play, which account for 60%-75% of the 90 min, and goals from set pieces, which account for 25%-40%. 7,[10][11][12] Set pieces include corner kicks, penalties, free kicks (direct and indirect), throw-ins, and goal kicks, with an average of a hundred set pieces per match. 13 In the 2018 World Cup, 58.6% of the goals scored in the tournament came from open play and 41.4% from set pieces.…”

“…In addition, the results of studies in these areas are still limited, and there is no consensus on their overall effectiveness. 12,[23][24][25][26][27] For corner kicks in particular, there is conflicting evidence as to whether in-swinging or out-swinging crosses are more successful. 9,26 It is also not entirely clear how effective corner kicks are, depending on the zones in which they are delivered.…”