Temporal Changes in Team Performance Indicators Which Differentiate Between Winning and Losing in Elite Gaelic Football

Abstract

This study evaluated changes in performance indicators within winning and losing elite Gaelic football teams. Seven game statistics and 83 technical and tactical variables were measured during 24 games. Game statistics showed a significant decrease in ball in play time and increase in stoppage time between the first and second halves and between the first and fourth quarters. Significant differences between the first and second halves were evident in 10 variables (3 positive: 7 negative) in winning teams compared to 16 variables (4 positive: 12 negative) in losing teams. When the fourth quarter was compared to the first, significant differences were also found in 8 variables (negative) in winners and 23 variables (11 positive: 12 negative) in losers. Although certain technical and tactical variables improved in winners during halves and in losers during halves and quarters, when overall performance is evaluated across both match periods, decrements were more pronounced in both winners (15 vs. 3) and losers (24 vs. 15). Both winners and losers experienced significant reductions in the frequency of team possession in the fourth quarter. Losers also demonstrated significant declines in total time in both team and individual player possession from the first to the second half and in passing (hand and kick) profiles across both halves and quarters. There was a significant increase in the percentage of successful free kick passes by winners in the second half and an increase in successful free kick passes and kick outs in losers in the fourth quarter. Both winners and losers reported significant reductions in turnover variables across halves and quarters. Defensive efficiency declined significantly in winners across match periods, which coincided with the significant increase in attacking efficiency of losers in the second half and fourth quarter. The attacking frequency declined significantly in winners in the second half and the fourth quarter and attacks originating in defense were also significantly lower in both winners and losers in the second half. Although both positive and negative differences were observed in the temporal changes exhibited by winners and losers across the match periods examined, the findings demonstrate that winners did not experience the same extant of technical and tactical performance decrement as losers, which partly explains the match outcomes associated with these games. In conclusion, knowledge of these temporal changes can be used to inform current preparation practices to enhance technical and tactical components and optimize match performance strategies.

Alterations in Team Physical Performance and Possession in Elite Gaelic Football Competition

“…Through combining team performance data analysis, interpretations can be contextualised in a manner that is not possible when either physical or technical results are examined in isolation. Furthermore, the results extend recent analysis pertaining to specific aspects of both team [2,[16][17][18]33] and player performances [15,17,34]. From a physical perspective, the main findings from this study reveal that total distance covered was higher in games and halves lost.…”

“…The postulated reduction in exercise intensity and observed decreases in LIA, HIR, and VHIR in the present study, perhaps explains the decline in PlayerLoad™, as this metric is influenced by; accelerations, locomotor activities and physical impacts. Additionally, the decrements in physical performance that occur towards the latter stages of games [4,41] may coincide with a decrease in player density [17,42] and manifest in a reduction in the intensity of man-to-man marking or incidence of physical contests. Interestingly, declines in physical performance in Q4 were observed in games that were lost but not in games that were won.…”

“…Moreover, possession was found to contribute significantly more to winning in the second compared to the first half [18]. Although, a significant decline in possession was observed in both winners and losers, when comparing Q1 to Q4 [17]. Unfortunately, there were no physical analyses conducted to contextualise the technical results, therefore it is unclear whether this decline in possession was due to physical fatigue and/or contextual factors [19].…”

“…Recent investigations in Gaelic football identified team tactical and technical performance indicators that discriminated between winning and losing, through analysis of data from full-games [2,16] or halves and quarters [17,18]. The importance of possession was highlighted as winners were more effective at regaining and retaining possession, and converted more scores per 10 possessions compared to losers [2].…”

“…Many of these factors are considered in the development of the tactical plans communicated by the coach, rehearsed in training and implemented during games. These strategies vary in the formations employed and roles in which players are deployed [2,17], with most contemporary Gaelic football coaches having discarded the traditional rigid configuration of 6 defenders, 2 midfielders and 6 attacking players, and adopted tactics that facilitate a more dynamic approach to defensive and offensive play. Consequently, the starting location of the player(s) on the pitch may not reflect the tactical role and associated physical performance required.…”