Ancheng Zhong
Research Mentor(s): Michael Mignano
Mentor Department: Movement Science
Authors:
Session: Session 5 (2:00pm – 2:50pm)
Presentation Type: Poster 58
Abstract
As one of the most popular team sports today, soccer is well researched covering topics such as team performance, strategic coaching, and penalty kicks. However, very few studies specifically focused on goalkeepers–a unique position that faces more psychological challenges compared with other outfielders. Not only does the goalie’s performance directly influence the match outcome reflected by goals conceded, but also they are sometimes leaders and make up a significant part of the team spirit. How they react after each save or each goal conceded can make an impact on the emotional regulation of the team and its proceeding performance. This study investigates the relationship between a goalkeeper’s nonverbal behavior following a save and the team’s possession of the ball before the subsequent save, as an indicator of team performance. By analyzing video recordings from Premier League matches, we aim to understand how a goalkeeper’s behavioral and emotional responses after a save influence team dynamics and performance. In particular, we examined the impact of positive high-energy reactions and the frequency of goalkeepers’ physical interactions with their teammates, and how they may contribute to the overall team performance. We hypothesized that goalies who display more positive responses after the save and who interact with teammates more will correlate with a higher team possession rate during the following time period. Our findings aim to provide insights into the emotional regulation of goalkeepers, offering valuable information for coaches and players to enhance team cohesion and performance during critical moments in matches.
