ABSTRACT
The free kick represents one of the most relevant events for the offensive process efficacy in high performance soccer, providing from 15 to 20 percent of the goals scored (Acar et al., 2009; Alcock, 2010). Recent studies provide evidence in support of the influence of contextual variables, such as match location (Tucker et al., 2005; Taylor et al., 2008; Lago, 2009), match status (O'Donoghue and Tenga, 2001; Bloomfield et al., 2005a; Taylor et al., 2008; Lago, 2009) and opponent quality (Taylor et al., 2008; Lago, 2009) on football performances. Although numerous studies have analyzed key-indicators of ‘set play’ in soccer (Grant et al., 1999; Carling et al., 2005; Taylor et al., 2005; Acar et al., 2009; Alcock, 2010), very few have examined the effects of contextual variables on the technical and tactical aspects of team performance, and none has evaluated the contextual influence on team performance in free kick situations.
