In- And out-of-possession match physical performance parameters of the 4-2-3-1 formation in elite soccer

BACKGROUND: In elite soccer, the aptitude to retain possession of the ball for prolonged periods of time during the game, has been potentially associated to success. However, the interactive effects of the phases of the game of playingposition performance parameters of the 4-2-3-1 formation was not examined yet. The present study examined the effects of the phase of the game on in and out of possession, of the 4-2-3-1 formation in elite soccer. METHODS: Twenty-six (N.=26) games (with 184 player-observations) were recorded with a semi-automatic video system. Total distance (TD), very high intensity running (VHIR), sprinting, number of VHIR activities (nVHIR) and average distance during VHIR (aVHIRd) were analyzed in and out of possession according to the specific playing position. Position played had 5 levels (wide defenders [WD], central defenders [CD], central midfielders [CM], wide midfielders [WM] and forwards [FW]). RESULT S: In out of possession WD covered more VHIR; CM covered more VHIR and sprinting; and CD covered more VHIR, executed more nVHIR and had longer aVHIRd compared to in possession (P<0.05). In possession, CM covered more TD and WM covered more TD, VHIR and sprinting and executed more nVHIR compared to out of possession (P<0.05). WD, WM and FW covered more sprinting and had longer aVHIRd compared to CD and CM (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In the 4-2-3-1 formation, only WD are highly taxed both in and out of possession. However, WM and FW are taxed only in possession, while CD and CM are mainly taxed only out of possession.