What is a Clean Sheet in Football? A clean sheet in football is when the opposition team is unable to score a goal during a match. Keeping a clean sheet is a great indicator that a team has a good goalkeeper and defenders. Where Did the Term ‘Clean Sheet’ Come From? The term ‘Clean Sheet’…
What Is an Overload in Football? An overload in football simply refers to having more players than the opposition team in a certain area of the pitch. Football teams will use this strategy to have a numerical advantage over their opponents in order to progress the ball into higher areas of the pitch. Learn how…
What Are Phases of Play in Football? The four main phases of play in football are the build-up phase, progression phase, creation phase and the transition phase. Three of these phases represent different thirds of the pitch – the build up phase takes place in the first third, the progression phase in the second third…
What is Pressing in Football? In football, pressing is the pressure that the team who is out of possession applies on the team in possession. Some of the aims of pressing are to win the ball back as quickly as possible, interrupt the opponent’s build up play and to dictate play. Learn what the different…
How Is Football Data Collected? Football data collection is recorded by a team of analysts at each match. A video-based collection system is used by trained football data collectors to analyse each action during a match. Once a match has finished, further analysis is conducted to ensure that the data is as accurate as possible….
A topic that is discussed amongst football pundits and fans is the striker vs centre forward debate. There is often confusion between both roles, so in this article, we’re going to outline the main differences between strikers and centre forwards. We’ll also provide great examples of players that have played these roles. What Is a…
After the first 45 minutes (plus additional injury time) have been played during a football match, both teams will stop playing and enter a half-time break. This interval lasts 15 minutes and a number of different things happen during this time. In this article, we’re going to cover everything that happens during half-time in football,…
What Age Do Footballers Enter Their Prime? The age at which footballers enter their prime is highly dependent on the position that they play on the pitch. For example, it’s possible for a goalkeeper to enter their prime a lot later than a forward player. This is because different positions require different skill sets, and…
Can Footballers Use the Toilet During a Game? Yes, footballers can use the toilet during a game. Although leaving the field of play during a match is technically a bookable offence, the officials would treat this situation as a need to remedy an equipment or uniform problem, allowing the player to leave the match. What…
Who Were the Mighty Magyars? Hungary’s Mighty Magyars, sometimes known as the “Magnificent Magyars” or the “Magical Magyars”, were one of the best international football teams to exist. Between the years 1950 and 1956, the Magyars won 58 matches, drew 10 and loss once, losing to West Germany in the final of the 1954 World…