Blogs - Page 2 of 18 - This Week In Soccer

Development

Superstar Bias: A New Perspective on Soccer Performance Evaluations

Imagine watching a highlight reel of the greatest goals from last season’s Premier League. Kevin De Bruyne nets a long-range stunner, and Mohamed Salah weaves through defenders for an unbelievable solo effort. Now, consider this: if you didn’t know their identities, would you still rate their performances as highly? Superstar Bias: What the Research Says […]

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Culture

What Type of Soccer Draws Viewers?

As we get closer to Boxing Day, it’s worth looking at what makes some matches must-see TV while others barely register a blip. A recent study (will download a .pdf) delves into the fascinating dynamics of soccer viewership, uncovering what captivates audiences and why it matters for the sport’s future. The Science of Soccer Viewership […]

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Culture

Why Soccer Referees Are Leaving—and How We Can Keep Them

Across the United States, referee shortages are putting youth and amateur soccer leagues in jeopardy. Despite the passion and commitment many referees bring to the game, an alarming number are choosing not to renew their licenses. Why is this happening? And more importantly, what can be done to reverse the trend? Recent research into soccer […]

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Culture

Soccer Coaching Preferences and the Path to Gender Equality

You’re a soccer club manager searching for the perfect coach to elevate your team. Credentials? Check. Experience? Top-notch. But one factor seems to overshadow all others—gender. Does it really matter whether your new coach is male or female? For many in the soccer world, it still does. A recent study of Division 1 professional soccer […]

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Development

Mastering the Goalkeeper Position: Insights from Two Seasons of Research

Goalkeepers are often the unsung heroes, yet their unique demands and contributions to the game are frequently overlooked. Recent research analyzing two seasons of data from youth goalkeepers in Spain’s top-tier soccer league sheds light on the physical and technical challenges they face. Goalkeepers: A Unique Role in Soccer Unlike outfield players, goalkeepers (GKs) operate […]

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Strategy

Home vs. Away: What Soccer Coaches Can Learn from Guardiola’s Tactical Evolution

Pep’s not have the greatest year, but we shouldn’t throw away all the tactical prowess he has previously shown. very soccer coach has faced the question: Why does my team perform differently at home than away? Whether it’s the roar of the crowd or the comfort of familiar turf, match location has long been suspected […]

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Strategy

Sprinting and Soccer Success

What separates a winning soccer team from the rest? While tactics, talent, and teamwork are critical, new research highlights another game-changer: how players move on the field. Beyond goals and passes, the speed, distance, and accelerations players achieve can significantly influence their team’s success. If you’re a coach looking to refine your training methods, a […]

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Health

Getting Off the Couch.

Applications Imagine a group of middle-aged soccer fans, united not on the field but in their journey to better health. These fans, once united by their love for the game, found themselves tackling an entirely different challenge—improving their lifestyle. Through a groundbreaking program called EuroFIT, they learned to transform small steps into major victories, using […]

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Strategy

Mastering Penalty Kicks: Insights to Boost Your Game

Penalty kicks can define a match—just ask any player who’s had to face the pressure of that 12-yard shot. With nearly 78% of penalty kicks finding the net in professional leagues, they might seem like a guaranteed goal, but the science says otherwise. Recent research (will download a .pdf) examining over 7,000 penalty kicks across […]

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