, 2012). Conclusions The purpose of this study was to analyse certain differences among playing positions and to quantify the demands placed on soccer players in each of the individual positions during the 2010 World Cup matches. Additionally, selleck chemicals the distance covered by the teams was analysed. Statistically significant differences among tactical positions were found, concluding that each position has its specific demands. The variables of the strategic and specific missions of tactical disposition proved important for the understanding of two aspects �C the demands placed on players during a game and how coaching intervention could be improved.

Figure 1 Graphical representation of the distance covered by players of different formation Figure 2 Graphical representation of the activity time of players of different formation Figure 3 Graphical representation of the distance covered by teams reaching different stages of the 2010 World Cup Table 1 Descriptive statistics of distance covered by players of different formation Table 2 Descriptive statistics of activity time of players of different formation Table 3 Descriptive statistics of distance covered by teams reaching different stages of the 2010 World Cup
Beginning with the 2010/11 season the Euroleague and several other European and most national basketball federations instituted new game rules. These changes, originally accepted by FIBA in 2008, include, among others, the addition of no-charge semicircles, moving the three-point arc 6.75 meters away from the basket, and changes to how and when the 24-second shot-clock is reset.

It was assumed that these rule changes, the most significant in recent history, would have some effect on how the game of basketball is played. The goal of this paper was to investigate the effects of these changes using basketball game statistics. To that end, we analyzed the box-score statistics from the past 10 seasons of Euroleague competition, the highest level of European club competitions. Based on the nature of rule changes, it was expected that the number and efficiency of two and three-point shots had been affected. In fact, this was not the first time that the distance of the three-point arc was changed in high-level basketball competition. In seasons 1994/95 through 1996/97 the NBA (National Basketball Association) three-point arc was moved closer to the basket and then back again.

Also, since the 2008/09 season the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) basketball three-point arc has been moved farther away from the basket. The NBA three-point arc is 23 feet 9 inches away from the basket (approximately 7.24 m). In Figure 1 it may be observed that seasons 1994/95 through 1996/97 are an exception (black points), as the three point arc was moved to 22 feet (approximately 6.70 meters) away from the basket. Since 1986, the NCAA Cilengitide three-point arc had been 19 feet 9 inches (approximately 6.00 m) away from the basket.