This study aims to identify the key factors influencing the success of receiving the ball unmarked between the opponent’s defenders (DFs, Unit 3) and midfielders (MFs, Unit 2), hereafter referred to as the “units”, using logistic regression analysis. A total of 795 plays from 26 group stage matches of the 2018 FIFA World Cup were analyzed. Key factors examined included off-the-ball movement, timing of movement, defensive organization, and pass characteristics. The logistic regression model revealed that the probability of success was higher when there were no DFs in front at the start of movement, when off-the-ball movements such as overlap and pull-away were used, and when the pass arrival time was short. Conversely, starting the off-the-ball movement before the passer received the ball decreased the success rate. Furthermore, the presence of multiple players between the units increased the probability of success. The findings suggest that team coordination and precise timing of movement are essential for receiving the ball in free space between the units. Future studies should expand this analysis to other tournaments and use statistical methods capable of handling nonlinear data to enhance practical application.

Concussion frequently occur during soccer competitions, so referees must be able to make accurate decisions regarding when to halt matches to enable prompt treatments. In this study, a questionnaire-based survey was conducted to identify soccer referees’ (Levels 1, 2 and 3) experience, their knowledge and awareness of concussion. Responses were obtained from 93 of 112 soccer referees (30 level-1, 33 Level-2, 30 Level-3 referees). The results revealed that 55.9% (Level 1: 80.0%, Level 2: 66.7%, Level 3: 20.0%) of referees surveyed had experience of responding to concussed athletes during matches. Also, among the referees surveyed, 11.8% (Level 1: 3.3%, Level 2: 12.1%, Level 3: 20.0%) had attended a training session about concussion. Regarding the knowledge of concussion, 13 of the 19 items had a correct response rate of less than 90%, without significant difference among qualification levels. Despite the high likelihood of concussion occurring during matches, these findings indicate that soccer referees at all qualification levels do not have sufficient knowledge and awareness of concussion, with few opportunities for education about concussion.

Football is a sport where lower limb injuries are common in both genders. However, injury investigations have primarily focused on male players, with fewer studies addressing women. Specifically, there is limited research on injury epidemiology among women’s collegiate football players, leaving the current situation unclear. This study examines the epidemiology of injuries in women’s collegiate football over a nine-year period, focusing on (1) overall injury incidence, (2) injury location and type, (3) injury mechanism and circumstance, (4) injury severity and burden, and (5) recurrent injuries. The aim is to contribute to the existing knowledge on sports injuries and provide practical insights to mitigate injury risks and enhance the safety of women’s collegiate football players. Over nine seasons, a total of 357 injuries were recorded, of which 281 (78.7%) were classified as traumatic injuries and 76 (21.3%) as overuse injuries. The overall injury incidence rate was 5.4/1000 player hours. Data analysis revealed that ankle sprains were the most frequent injury, while ACL injuries caused the highest injury burden. Injury rates and burdens were significantly higher during matches compared to training. To mitigate match-related injuries, strategies should include monitoring individual player factors, adjusting training parameters (frequency, intensity, volume, type), and differentiating warm-up routines between training and matches.

This study examined the relationship between agility, change of direction (COD) abilities, and competitive level in youth female soccer players. Additionally, it examined the relationship between agility and COD abilities and physical capacity. Twenty-eight female high school soccer players participated in this study. All participants completed the reactive shuttle test, pro-agility test, linear sprints, counter movement jump, rebound jump, and standing long jump. The first team’s players demonstrated significantly better results in the reactive shuttle test (first team, 5.74 [5.56-5.89]; second team, 5.92 [5.81-5.97]) and pro-agility test (first team, 5.00 [4.91-5.03]; 5.08 [5.07-5.21]), with large effect sizes. Although the pro-agility test was significantly correlated with physical capacity and COD deficit, the reactive shuttle test showed no correlation with these metrics. The findings indicate that the reactive shuttle and pro-agility tests can effectively distinguish competitive levels among youth female soccer players. However, when the difference in competitive level is pronounced, COD abilities may further emphasize this disparity. Although physical capacity contributes to pro-agility test times, the reactive shuttle test appears to be influenced more by factors such as technical skills and cognitive decision-making rather than solely by physical capacity.