Attacking Patterns and Ball Movement in AFL
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This study analyzed attacking patterns and ball movement in the Australian Football League (AFL) using notational analysis of 16 teams over 8 games. Results showed that teams were more likely to keep possession by playing on around the ground with either kicks or handballs. Marks in the midfield most often resulted in playing on, while marks in the forward line usually led to holding the ball up. Playing on generally led to possession, while holding up the ball was more likely to result in a turnover or no possession. The study provides evidence that new AFL rules encouraging continuous play have significantly impacted attacking strategies and ball movement.
![Attacking Patterns and Ball Movement in AFL
John MARRIOTT
University of Canberra
u3049124@uni.canberra.edu.au
INTRODUCTION RESULTS CONCLUSION
The Sport of AFL has been ever increasing in speed A Kappa reliability test was conducted to ensure successful coding analysis. Results from Kappa reliability This study found that teams were more likely to keep possession
since a progression in rule changes to make the game test determined that 97.5% of coding was accurate, meaning of all coding there is only a 2.5% error. by utilizing the play on method around the ground, this could
flow more freely [1], [2]. This speed can be seen with method could be used with either a kick or a handball due to the
the amount of efforts and distance players are running Chi Squared analysis revealed there was significant association with the mark position for the variable of high percentage of possession from both actions. In addition the
during the game [3]. length and the player movement with the ball of playing on or holding it up. (X2 (2) =73.554, p <.001) majority of player movements outside of the front third resulted in
This study aims to provide evidence supporting the new (Figure 1.) players playing on quickly instead of holding the ball up.
rules that have allowed the game to become free Coaches and Players need to be made aware of this due to it
flowing and rapid. 55% of all marks in the back third resulted in playing on (SR = -0.7) being the main attacking play for all teams with holding the ball
up resulting in more turnovers or no possession.
There are limited amounts of studies completed on AFL 60% of all marks in the midfield saw the player play on (SR = 2.3), compared to 40% of players holding the This study shows that the introduction of the new rules which allow
especially on attacking patterns and ball movements. ball up (SR = -2.5) the game to become more continuous are having a significant
This study will help analyse the top 16 teams generally affect on how the ball is moved around the ground and the
ball movement and what is the most defined way of Only 21% of all marks in the forward line saw players play on (SR = -5.4), whilst 79% of players who attacking strategies in place.
attacking in Australian Rules Football. marked in the forward line held the ball up (SR = 5.7).
Width of the mark created no significance to play type as a majority
The Primary aims of this experiment for performance of players played on regardless of the situation of the ball.
analysis of Australian Rules Football is to examine the Further Chi Squared analysis of the mark position for the variable of width and the player movement with the Coaches should focus on increased man marking when the ball
attacking patterns of teams from a mark in play. ball of playing on or holding it up saw no real significance. (X2(2)=6.551,p=,038) is in the center due to it being the easiest and quickest corridor
to scoring.
This will be conducted via:
There was also a significant association between player movement of the ball and the outcome Further concentration should result in altering attacking strategies
Evaluating the effectiveness of different player (X2(3)=88.846,p<.001) (Figure2.) and how the ball was disposed of and the outcome so other teams dont adapt to one style of play. Improved man
movements after the mark has been taken (X2)(3)=53.850),p<.001) marking across the ground to limit the amount of playing on
Determining the outcomes and effectiveness of forcing them to hold the ball up and kick to a contest down the
differing methods of attacks. This saw: ground.
Analysing the relationship between disposal type and
outcome 76.5% of all playing on with the ball resulted in possession compared to that of 53% for holding it up (SR =
-1.5)
95% of all handballs and 61% of all kicks resulted
METHODS in possession (SR = 4)
Notational analysis of the attacking patterns and ball
movements in Australian Rules Football was coded at Figure 1: Attacking styles and player
the start of a mark, with the outcome afterwards movements after a mark
analysed. Over 4 weeks 16 national teams were coded
in 8 games of AFL. Coding was completed in real time
where positional roles were not incorporated.
The four variables defined:
REFERENCES
1. Position of the mark on the field (Length Back, Mid, 1. Norton K. and Craig N. (2006), Recent evolution of Australian
Forward and Width Center and Wing) football games: 2000 2005.
2. How the player move the ball (Played on or Held up) 2. Norton K et. al. (2006), Effect of changes to laws and
3. How the ball was disposed of (Kick or Handball) interpretation of the laws on the 2006 AFL home & away series
4. Outcome of possession (Turnover, No possession, 2001 2006.
Figure 2: Player disposal type 3. J. P. Veale AJP, J. S. Carlson. Player movement patterns in an
Possession or a Score)
determining outcome elite junior Australian Rules Football Team J of Sports Science
and Medicine 2007(6):254-60.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/poster-121030183506-phpapp02/85/Attacking-Patterns-and-Ball-Movement-in-AFL-1-320.jpg)
Attacking Patterns and Ball Movement in AFL
- 1. Attacking Patterns and Ball Movement in AFL John MARRIOTT University of Canberra u3049124@uni.canberra.edu.au INTRODUCTION RESULTS CONCLUSION The Sport of AFL has been ever increasing in speed A Kappa reliability test was conducted to ensure successful coding analysis. Results from Kappa reliability This study found that teams were more likely to keep possession since a progression in rule changes to make the game test determined that 97.5% of coding was accurate, meaning of all coding there is only a 2.5% error. by utilizing the play on method around the ground, this could flow more freely [1], [2]. This speed can be seen with method could be used with either a kick or a handball due to the the amount of efforts and distance players are running Chi Squared analysis revealed there was significant association with the mark position for the variable of high percentage of possession from both actions. In addition the during the game [3]. length and the player movement with the ball of playing on or holding it up. (X2 (2) =73.554, p <.001) majority of player movements outside of the front third resulted in This study aims to provide evidence supporting the new (Figure 1.) players playing on quickly instead of holding the ball up. rules that have allowed the game to become free Coaches and Players need to be made aware of this due to it flowing and rapid. 55% of all marks in the back third resulted in playing on (SR = -0.7) being the main attacking play for all teams with holding the ball up resulting in more turnovers or no possession. There are limited amounts of studies completed on AFL 60% of all marks in the midfield saw the player play on (SR = 2.3), compared to 40% of players holding the This study shows that the introduction of the new rules which allow especially on attacking patterns and ball movements. ball up (SR = -2.5) the game to become more continuous are having a significant This study will help analyse the top 16 teams generally affect on how the ball is moved around the ground and the ball movement and what is the most defined way of Only 21% of all marks in the forward line saw players play on (SR = -5.4), whilst 79% of players who attacking strategies in place. attacking in Australian Rules Football. marked in the forward line held the ball up (SR = 5.7). Width of the mark created no significance to play type as a majority The Primary aims of this experiment for performance of players played on regardless of the situation of the ball. analysis of Australian Rules Football is to examine the Further Chi Squared analysis of the mark position for the variable of width and the player movement with the Coaches should focus on increased man marking when the ball attacking patterns of teams from a mark in play. ball of playing on or holding it up saw no real significance. (X2(2)=6.551,p=,038) is in the center due to it being the easiest and quickest corridor to scoring. This will be conducted via: There was also a significant association between player movement of the ball and the outcome Further concentration should result in altering attacking strategies Evaluating the effectiveness of different player (X2(3)=88.846,p<.001) (Figure2.) and how the ball was disposed of and the outcome so other teams dont adapt to one style of play. Improved man movements after the mark has been taken (X2)(3)=53.850),p<.001) marking across the ground to limit the amount of playing on Determining the outcomes and effectiveness of forcing them to hold the ball up and kick to a contest down the differing methods of attacks. This saw: ground. Analysing the relationship between disposal type and outcome 76.5% of all playing on with the ball resulted in possession compared to that of 53% for holding it up (SR = -1.5) 95% of all handballs and 61% of all kicks resulted METHODS in possession (SR = 4) Notational analysis of the attacking patterns and ball movements in Australian Rules Football was coded at Figure 1: Attacking styles and player the start of a mark, with the outcome afterwards movements after a mark analysed. Over 4 weeks 16 national teams were coded in 8 games of AFL. Coding was completed in real time where positional roles were not incorporated. The four variables defined: REFERENCES 1. Position of the mark on the field (Length Back, Mid, 1. Norton K. and Craig N. (2006), Recent evolution of Australian Forward and Width Center and Wing) football games: 2000 2005. 2. How the player move the ball (Played on or Held up) 2. Norton K et. al. (2006), Effect of changes to laws and 3. How the ball was disposed of (Kick or Handball) interpretation of the laws on the 2006 AFL home & away series 4. Outcome of possession (Turnover, No possession, 2001 2006. Figure 2: Player disposal type 3. J. P. Veale AJP, J. S. Carlson. Player movement patterns in an Possession or a Score) determining outcome elite junior Australian Rules Football Team J of Sports Science and Medicine 2007(6):254-60.