Table 1

Overview of the observation instrument

Criterion or dimensionCodes and categories
Reason for beginning the sequenceIMP: retaining possession; IR: recovering the ball; IFTD: direct free kick for the observed team; IFTI: indirect free kick for the observed team; IFJ: offside free kick for the observed team; ISC: kick-off for the observed team; ISB: throw-in for the observed team; ISE: corner kick for the observed team; ISP: goal kick for the observed team.
Consequence of the sequenceCSP: Retaining possession. CIR: Interception by rival – loss of possession. Interruption for the observed team: For/Inside, CAFD; For/Outside, CAFF. Interruption against the observed team: Against/Inside, CCD; Against/Outside, CCF. CGF: Scores goal.
ScoreboardEM: drawing; W: winning; L: losing.
Zone of the pitch where the action is performedOwn half: safety sector (Z10, Z20, Z30); own half creation sector (Z40, Z50, Z60).
Opponents’ half: opponents’ half creation sector (Z41, Z51, Z61); definition sector (Z70, Z80, Z90).
Context of interactionBall in the possession of the observed team:
RMO: the back line has the ball in front of the middle line of the opposing team.
RAO: the back line has the ball in front of the forward line of the opposing team.
MRO: the middle line has the ball in front of the back line of the opposing team.
MMO: the middle line has the ball in front of the middle line of the opposing team.
MAO: the middle line has the ball in front of the forward line of the opposing team.
ARO: the forward line has the ball in front of the back line of the opposing team.
AMO: the forward line has the ball in front of the middle line of the opposing team.
GO: the goalkeeper of the observed team has the ball.
Ball in the possession of the opposing team:
RMR: the back line has the ball in front of the middle line of the observed team.
RAR: the back line has the ball in front of the forward line of the observed team.
MRR: the middle line has the ball in front of the back line of the observed team.
MMR: the middle line has the ball in front of the middle line of the observed team.
MAR: the middle line has the ball in front of the forward line of the observed team.
ARR: the forward line has the ball in front of the back line of the observed team.
AMR: the forward line has the ball in front of the middle line of the observed team.
GR: the goalkeeper of the opposing team has the ball.
PhaseIAP: start prior technical/tactical action; FAP: end prior technical/tactical action; ICJ: start control; FCJ: end control; IAVJ: start technical/tactical action linked to the control by the observed player; FAVJ: end technical/ tactical action linked to the control by the observed player; IAJT: start technical/tactical action by the player who intervenes after the observed player; FAJT: end technical/tactical action by the player who intervenes after the observed player.
Technical/tactical actionC: control of the ball; T: shot; CP: control plus pass; CM: control plus running with the ball and/or dribbling; CMP: control, running with the ball and/or dribbling plus pass; CB: header; IOC: occasional interruption with continuity.
Control contact surfacePL: sole of the foot; IN: inside of the foot; EX: outside of the foot; TA: heel of the foot; EMP: instep of the foot; OT: parts of the body other than the foot: chest, thigh, etc.
Incoming ball positioning in the controlBEAD: front-right quadrant; BEAI: front-left quadrant; BETD: rear-right quadrant; BETI: rear-left quadrant.
Outgoing ball positioning in the controlBSAD: front-right quadrant; BSAI: front-left quadrant; BSTD: rear-right quadrant; BSTI: rear-left quadrant.
Player positioning when controlling incoming ballJEAD: front-right quadrant; JEAI: front-left quadrant; JETD: rear-right quadrant; JETI: rear-left quadrant.
Player positioning after controlling and playing the ballJEAD: front-right quadrant; JEAI: front-left quadrant; JETD: rear-right quadrant; JETI: rear-left quadrant.
Opponents in the centre of playS: centre of play unoccupied; C: centre of play congested; SO1: sector occupied 1; SO2: sector occupied 2; SO3: sector occupied 3; SO4: sector occupied 4; SO12: sectors occupied 1 and 2; SO13: sectors occupied 1 and 3; SO14: sectors occupied 1 and 4; SO23: sectors occupied 2 and 3; SO24: sectors occupied 2 and 4; SO34. sectors occupied 3 and 4; SL1: sector unoccupied 1; SL2: sector unoccupied 2; SL3: sector unoccupied 3; SL4: sector unoccupied 4.