Corner kick effectiveness in the Greek Super League 2018-2019

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to describe how corner kicks were taken and to identify key variables associated with final attempts during Greek Super League season 2018-19. There was a total of 424 final attempts after corner kick, of which, 16.3% were attempts off target, 6.8% attempts on target and 2.8% resulting in a goal. Bivariate analysis presented that attempts on target were increased when the ball was delivered outswing, no players positioned at the goal posts, >1 intervening attackers, attacking player the 1st contact and ball delivered into the central zones of the 18-yard box. Binary logistic regression (Final attempt/ No Final attempt) revealed that the model was statistically significant for the final attempt (p < 0.001) and showed that the intervening attackers (p < 0.001) and the player of the 1st contact (p < 0.001) contributed significantly to the model. These results can aid coaches to enhance on one hand the attacking effectiveness; on the other hand the defensive efficacy of corner kicks within Greek football.