Identifying the optimal characteristics of ball possession and movement in elite women’s soccer

The aim of this study was to determine whether the ball passing characteristics of elite women’s soccer teams are associated with measures of team performance. In total, 170 matches from two professional women’s competitions were used in the analysis. Twenty passing characteristics were analysed to determine their association with match outcome and two score-related variables, shots on target and big chances. The value of 18 passing characteristics was different between teams that won or lost their match, when both leagues were analysed together. When the leagues were analysed separately, there were only three characteristics whose value was consistently higher for teams that won; proportions of passes in the defensive third, successful long passes and successful backward passes. Regression models demonstrated that there were relationships between passing characteristics and measures of team performance, such as shots on target (r 2 = 0.434, p < 0.001). The present findings provide evidence of the optimal passing characteristics in elite women’s soccer teams, which include; more total passes, minimising short passes but maximising their success and the success of long and backward passes. These results provide valuable information regarding the construction of team tactics and strategy of ball movement that is effective and specific to elite women’s soccer.