Effect of team quality on offensive playing style and ball possessions development during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup
A summary of the research:
Research into women's football has grown significantly in recent years, with a focus on understanding tactical performance indicators like ball possession. Ball possession is seen as very important for creating scoring opportunities in women's football and building offensive plays. This study specifically looked at whether a team's quality, based on their FIFA ranking (Top 10 vs. Non-Top 10), affected how they used ball possession during the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. Researchers analyzed over 2,300 individual ball possessions from the knockout stage matches, examining how each possession started, developed, and ended.
The study found significant differences between higher-ranked and lower-ranked teams in how they managed ball possession. Top 10 teams had more possessions overall, particularly in matches they won or drew, and they tended to start possessions in more advanced areas of the field. They also showed a greater intention to keep possession and build attacks gradually with passes, rather than always trying to progress quickly. On average, top teams spent more total time with the ball and completed a higher number of passes per possession compared to non-top teams. The study also identified three main styles of possession-based attack – Direct, Mixed, and Conservative – and found that top teams were more likely to use the Conservative approach, which involves holding onto the ball longer to find the best chance.
Here are three key takeaways from the study's results that coaches and administrators can consider:
Focus on developing strong ball retention and passing skills: Top teams in the 2023 World Cup had significantly more passes per possession and longer possession times than lower-ranked teams, even when their goal was to move forward quickly. This suggests that simply having the ball and being able to connect passes is a key differentiator. Coaches should prioritize training sessions focused on fundamental ball control, passing accuracy under pressure, and players' comfort in keeping possession in various areas of the pitch. Administrators could support this by ensuring adequate training time and resources for technical development.
Train teams to maintain possession high up the field: The study showed that top teams spent more time with the ball in the opponent's half compared to lower-ranked teams. This ability to keep possession closer to the opponent's goal creates more sustained attacking pressure and opportunities. Teams should practice tactical drills that focus on building play in the attacking third, creating forward passing options, and quickly counter-pressing to regain the ball if it's lost in advanced areas. This requires players to understand positioning and support play in the opponent's half.
Cultivate a 'conservative' possession style when appropriate: The analysis identified that top teams were more likely to use a 'Conservative' possession approach, characterized by longer duration and more passes, with the aim of maintaining possession to find the best scoring chance. This contrasts with the 'Direct' approach used more by lower-ranked teams, which aims to progress quickly. Coaches should educate players on recognizing situations where patient build-up play is beneficial and train structured positional attacks that allow the team to control the tempo and break down organized defenses through sustained possession. This strategic flexibility, being able to choose between direct and more patient approaches, seems to be a hallmark of higher quality teams.
Authors: Iyán Iván-Baragaño, Álvaro Bustamante-Sánchez, Antonio Ardá, Rubén Maneiro
You can read the entire article here.
