Author(s): SHIMOTASHIRO, Y., SHINYA, M., Institution: HIROSHIMA UNIVERSITY, Country: JAPAN, Abstract-ID: 1476

INTRODUCTION:
Football players may change their passing location, even during a movement, depending on the movement of an opponent or team-mate. In such cases, the player is required to make a precise pass within a limited time, regardless of the dominant or non-dominant foot. As left and right foot is used in football, it is conceivable that the variation in passing may vary depending on the kicking foot. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of time constraints and the kicking foot on passing precision.
METHODS:
Six right-handed football players were recruited. Targets were placed 8 m in front of the ball and 4 m to the left and right of the ball, with LEDs placed 3 m in front of the ball. Participants performed an inside kick at the left and right targets according to the LEDs. We instructed participants to kick as fast and as accurate as possible on the grounders. In the time-constraint condition, participants were not informed of the direction in which the LEDs illuminated; thus, the direction of the pass was determined as soon as the LEDs were illuminated. This condition randomized the direction of the pass, with the right or left foot, on each of the 40 trials. In the no-time-constraint condition, participants were informed in a priori in which direction the LEDs would illuminate, and 20 trials were made in each condition. The x-coordinate (medio-lateral) of the ball position in the plane that included the target was obtained from a video recording data using the two-dimensional DLT method. The variable error of the ball position was defined as the standard deviation of the ball position as an index of the passing precision. A three-way analysis of variance was performed to compare the variable error between the time constraint, the kicking foot, and the pass target conditions.
RESULTS:
The significant main effect of the time constraints was observed on the variable error of the ball position. None of the other main effects nor the interactions were statistically significant. The variable error of the ball position was 104.8 ± 88.7 cm under the time constraint condition and 74.7 ± 76.6 cm under the no time constraint condition for passes by the right foot aiming at the right target. The similar results were observed for the other foot and target conditions.
CONCLUSION:
Regardless of the kicking foot, immediate "decision-making" may reduce the precision of the pass. During football matches, quicker "decision-making" based on situational information may help to prevent a reduction in passing precision. Additionally, Training involving "decision-making" may also be effective.