This study investigated aspects of attacking plays inside and around the penalty area in soccer games. Notational analysis was employed to compare U12 Japanese and Spanish players. The games were from U12 Junior Soccer World Challenge 2015, of which 14 games from 8 Japanese teams and 10 games from 2 Spanish teams (24 games in total) were analyzed.

The results indicated a significantly higher percentage of penetration (9.1%) into the penalty area (PA) by Spanish teams compared to Japanese teams (4.4%). Spanish teams appeared to penetrate from the side (right: 23.4%, left: 28.6%) and central line (48.0%) of the PA, whereas 75.3% of the penetrations by Japanese were through the central line. In terms of attacking plays prior to PA penetration, the majority of Japanese attacking plays were toward the central line. Compared to the Japanese tendency, Spanish attacking plays seemed to involve a greater amount of dribbling and passing from deep wide area before penetrating the PA. Furthermore, Japanese teams tended to make more shots off target compared to Spanish teams. In order to increase the number of shots on target, it may be beneficial to dribble and maintain possession after PA penetration.

The present study aimed to clarify anthropometry and body composition variables which can discriminate prospective young adult soccer players from others. Thirty-nine collegiate male soccer players were assigned to two groups; players who succeeded in signing a contact as a professional on graduation (N = 10, PRO) and others (N = 29, CON). Body height (BH), body mass (BM) and percent body fat (%Fat) were measured using a stadiometer and a bioelectrical impedance analyzer. Using data on BH and BM, we calculated body mass index (BMI) and reciprocal ponderal index (RPI). Lean body mass (LBM) was calculated from BM and %Fat, and divided by BH (LBM/BH) or BH² (LBM/BH²). LBM/BH² was significantly higher in PRO (19.2 ± 0.6 kg/m²) than in CON (18.6 ± 0.9 kg/m²), but there were no significant group differences in other variables. BH was significantly related to LBM/BH (r = 0.608, p<0.0001) and RPI (r = 0.331, p<0.05), but not to BMI and LBM/BH² across subjects. Allometric scaling (b) obtained from exponential relationship between BH and each of BM and LBM was 2.354 for BM and 1.927 for LBM. The current findings indicate that LBM/BH² is independent of body height and it can be a beneficial index for screening prospective young adult soccer players.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the physical demands of elite rugby union match-play using a Global Positioning System(GPS), and to compare these demands among positional groups with the goal of creating more effective training plans. GPS data were collected from 14 Japan Rugby Top League 2013-2014 season competition games over a single season. Players were categorized into one of four positional groups, Prop/Hooker (Front row forwards; FR), Locks/ Flanker/No.8 (2nd and 3rd row forwards; 2&3R), Scrum-half (SH), and Fly-half/Three-quarters/ Full-back (Backs; BKs). Total distances covered during match-play by FR, 2&3R, SH, and BKs were 5604.0±252.40m, 5690.2±284.24m, 7001.0±245.79m, 6072.3±852.85m, respectively. Significant differences were observed between positional groups, and then SH covered significantly greater total distances than other positional groups did (SH>FR, BKs; p<0.05, SH>2&3R; p<0.01). Standing & Walking (0-6km/h) distances (ratio for the total distance; %) covered by FR, 2&3R, SH, and BKs were 2209m (39.7%), 2067m (36.5%), 2092m (29.9%), 2581m (43.1%), respectively. Jogging (6-12km/h) distances were 2207m (39.2%), 2028m (35.6%), 2031m (29.0%), 1742m (28.6%). Cruising & Striding (12-18km/h) distances were 967m (17.2%), 1288m (22.6%), 2024m (28.9%), and 1135m (18.6%). High-intensity running (18-20km/h) distances were 104m (1.9%), 163m (2.9%), 425m (6.1%), and 233m (3.8%). Sprinting (20km/h) distances were 117m (2.1%), 142m (2.5%), 430m (6.1%), and 381m (6.0%). Positional differences exist for running based variables. The present data can be used to adapt training to better prepare each position based on the physical demands of the game.

The purpose of this study was to clarify the change in ball continuity in breakdown in world-class rugby. We analyzed the number of offensive and defensive players involved in breakdown, and the time required to get the ball out from breakdown. To visualize the changes in 2012 and 2014, 24 games were sampled from the Six Nations and the Rugby Championships. The results between 2014 and 2012 were compared. The main results were as follows:

1) Breakdowns with two and three players including both offense and defense increased, and breakdowns with five or more players decreased.

2) Breakdowns with two offensive players increased, and breakdowns with four or more offensive players decreased.

3) Breakdowns with one defensive player increased.

4) Breakdowns within two and three seconds increased, and breakdowns within six or more seconds decreased.

These results from the two years examined suggest that the majority of breakdowns occur with a smaller number of players and within two to three seconds. Therefore, there is a need to increase speed in breakdowns.

Videos of opposing teams during football games are used to obtain information about the team and its players for analysis of tactics before important games. By editing such videos, scouting videos are developed to highlight the characteristics of the opposition’s offensive and defensive play. We investigated the impact of a scouting video on Electroencephalogram (EEG) alpha power when evoking motor imagery. Subjects of the study were members of a football club at a sports-oriented college (n=6). Subjects watched a scouting video under an experimental condition, and viewed a landscape photograph under a contorl condition to develop imagery. Physiological indicators of EEG alpha power during the development of motor imagery were measured under both conditions. Results indicated that EEG alpha power was significantly higher when developing imagery under the experimental condition. Alpha power is an indicator of relaxation and concentrated attention that varies with level of awareness and arousal. Therefore, the above results suggest that the scouting video used under the experimental condition promoted the development of imagery with concentrated attention.