Abstract
Aim: The aim of the study was to research correlation among goals and positive defensive unit rate on the 1st and 2nd zone.
Methods: This research was conducted in correlational scan model. The universe of the research constituted the matches played by Turkish National Soccer Team. 10 matches were selected with the same characteristics in terms of the same lineup of the team played in 2012-2013 during World Cup 2014 Elimination Group as the sample of the Turkish National Soccer Team. Defending was examined as positive and negative for all positions by watching matches' videos and taking notes and after that positive defence rate on the 1st zone and positive defence rate on 2nd zone was obtained. SPSS 18.0 for Windows statistical software program was used for statistical analysis of the research’s data and the level of significance was set at p<0.05. Pearson correlation analysis was used to reveal the correlation among goals, positive defence rate on the 1st and 2nd zone.
Results: As a result of the research, a statistically significant correlation on positive direction was found between goals and positive defence rate on the 2nd zone of Turkish National Soccer Team.
Conclusion: Defence is a workable parameter in soccer and is not affected by the individual skills of players. In this regard, if coaches don’t neglect the principles of defence in their training, it will greatly help the outcome of the matches.