Latest Insights & Research

Stay informed with the latest public health research, insights, and evidence-based analysis from our team of experts.

Strategy

Referee Bias and Body Size in Soccer: Does Height Matter?

Imagine being a soccer player standing tall on the field, confident in your abilities. But what if your height alone could make you more likely to be penalized by the referee? Sounds strange, right? Well, research suggests that your physical stature might be influencing how referees call the game—and not always in your favor. That’s […]

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Strategy

The Secret to Winning Soccer: Unlocking the First Goal’s Power

In soccer, where every move can mean the difference between triumph and defeat, coaches are constantly on the hunt for the key strategies that can tip the balance in their favor. A study analyzing matches from the UEFA Euro 2024 offers compelling insights that could revolutionize how coaches think about the game. Imagine being able […]

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Strategy

How Coaches Shape Tackling

Tackling is a fundamental aspect of soccer, essential for defense and integral to the game’s dynamics. However, it also presents significant risks, particularly concussions and other injuries. Understanding how coaches communicate about tackling can provide insights into injury prevention and player development. A recent study sheds light on this important topic. The Theory of Planned […]

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Development

The Half-Time Talk’s Impact on Small-Sided Games

Half-time is more than just a chance to catch a breath—it’s a critical moment for strategy and reflection. A recent study has shed light on how small-sided games (SSGs) and player-led discussions during these breaks can impact the development of young soccer players’ technical and tactical skills. Small-Sided Games: A Closer Look Small-sided games are […]

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Strategy

The VAR Effect: A Game-Changer in Soccer Coaching and Player Development

In recent years, the introduction of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system has transformed soccer by ensuring fairness and minimizing human errors in officiating. This technology reviews decisions made by the head referee with video footage, influencing crucial game aspects like goals, penalties, and disciplinary actions. For coaches, players, and fans, understanding VAR’s impact on […]

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Strategy

The Power of Fans: Understanding Soccer Fan Dynamics and Security Through a Foucauldian Lens

In the vast, competitive world of sports, particularly soccer, fans aren’t just spectators; they’re pivotal stakeholders. Recent scholarly explorations, such as the in-depth analysis leveraging Michel Foucault’s philosophies, reveal the dual roles of fans: potential disruptors and essential contributors to the safety and security of soccer events. This perspective not only shifts our understanding of […]

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Development

The Impact of Field Orientation on Soccer Small-Sided Games

There’s a continuous quest to optimize training methods to closely mirror the real-game scenarios. A pivotal study in this field, titled The influence of the field orientation on the representativeness of the positional dynamics in soccer small-sided games published in the Journal of Sports Sciences, sheds light on an often-overlooked aspect of soccer training: the […]

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Strategy

Throw-ins! What’s the best strategy?

As a youth player, I irrationally spent way too much time worrying about throw-ins. Turns out I was right to be overly anxious! Causal Analysis of Tactics in Soccer: The Case of Throw-ins, sheds new light on the optimal use of throw-ins. The Power of Data in Soccer Tactics Soccer thrives on the strategic deployment […]

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Development

Maximizing Soccer Success: Lessons from Finnish Football Attendance Study

The recent Finnish research titled Does competitive balance explain stadium attendance? Evidence from Finnish men’s football offers valuable insights into what drives fan attendance in soccer leagues, shedding light on crucial aspects for player development and coaching tactics. The Role of Competitive Balance in Fan Engagement The study, analyzing data from 1947-2022, reveals a critical […]

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Health

Harnessing Heat: Elevating the Game for Soccer Substitutes

In the ever-evolving landscape of soccer, the quest for marginal gains is ceaseless. A recent study, “Physiological mechanisms associated with the use of a passive heat intervention: positive implications for soccer substitutes in the European Journal of Applied Physiology, sheds light on a revolutionary approach to maintaining player performance during the crucial waiting periods of […]

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