The final pass from a player to their teammate who then makes an attempt on Goal without scoring.
The attempted delivery of the ball from one player to another player on the same team. A player can use any part of their body (permitted in the laws of the game), to execute a pass. Event categorisation includes open play passes, Goal kicks, corners and free kicks played as a pass. Crosses, keeper throws, and throw ins do not count as a pass. Opta adds a whole range of qualifiers to each pass event, so that various things can be measured.
- Chipped Pass – A lofted ball with an intended recipient. Must be over shoulder height and using the passes height to avoid opposition players.
- Headed Pass – A header when there is an intended recipient.
- Launch – A long high ball into space or an area for players to chase or challenge for the ball.
- Flick-On – A glancing pass with head or foot onto a teammate when the ball is helped on in the same general direction.
- Pull back – A pass inside the penalty area which is pulled back.
- Lay-Off – A first time pass away from Goal when there is pressure on the passer (typically played by a forward) with one touch when they have their back to Goal from the Goal-line to the centre of the penalty area.
- Through Ball – A pass splitting the defence for a team mate to run on to.
- Tap Pass – A short pass after a dead ball situation which cannot have a lost outcome.
Each pass is logged with X and Y co-ordinates for its point of origin and destination.
This allows Opta to log the following:
- Passes broken down by area of the pitch for example, as own half/opposition half or defensive/middle/final third or left/right/centre.
- Passes broken down by half, for example short/long, short medium/long.
- Pass direction, for example backwards/sideways/forwards.
In summation the event-based nature of the data is such that you can calculate any combination. For example, a chipped pass over 20 yards, in the final third, that goes sideways.
This is simply a formula where successful passes are divided by total attempted passes in whichever combination of passes is selected. Usually, pass completion excludes crosses.
Crosses are usually treated separately and crossing success is the percentage of successful crosses out of the total attempted.
A completed pass is a pass which goes to a team mate directly without a touch from an opposition player.
A cumulative total of ‘Assists’ and ‘Key Passes’ Also see ‘Assists’ and ‘Key Passes.’
A ball played from a wide position targeting a teammate(s) in a central area within proximity to the Goal. The delivery must have an element of lateral movement from a wider position to more central area in front of Goal.
