02 Dic Do elite soccer players cover less distance when their team spent more time in possession of the ball?
Posted at 11:09h
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Practical Summary for Coaches and Analysts
In football, there is a common belief that “the ball should do the work.” But what does that actually mean for the physical demands on players? This study, based on more than 8,400 match observations in LaLiga, examined how ball possession strategies affect players’ running performance.
Key findings
- High-possession teams run less. When teams spent a very high percentage of time in possession (above ~65%), their players covered less total distance, especially at low and medium intensity, compared to teams with lower possession.
- Attacking players feel the difference most. Central midfielders, wide midfielders and forwards in high-possession teams ran fewer meters per minute at all speeds than their counterparts in lower-possession teams.
- Defenders show the opposite trend. Central and external defenders in low-possession teams also covered less distance, reflecting their more passive, deep-defending role.
- Effective playing time matters. By analyzing only the time when the ball is in play, the study showed clearer differences in running demands across possession strategies.
What this means in practice
For coaches and performance staff, the implications are clear:
- Tactical style shapes physical output. Possession-based teams can expect their midfielders and forwards to run less, but they must still execute high-quality actions when pressing or creating chances.
- Defensive game plans change demands. Low-possession teams require defenders to perform fewer total meters but more reactive and explosive actions.
- Training must reflect playing style. Conditioning sessions should be tailored not just to positions but also to the team’s possession model. A possession-heavy side might emphasize repeated accelerations in small spaces, while counter-attacking sides might need more high-speed running over longer distances.
- Match analysis should consider possession. When evaluating running metrics, analysts must factor in how much the team had the ball—otherwise, comparisons between players or teams may be misleading.
In short: possession doesn’t just change how the game looks—it changes how much players have to run.