Differences in the defensive and offensive actions of goalkeepers of teams that have qualified for the 2018 FIFA World Cup

The study of the goalkeeper's offensive and defensive actions requires special attention in order to identify performance indicators and the success of the execution of goalkeeping actions in football. In the same way, emphasis should be placed on evidencing parameters about the importance of the level of the team on the success of the goalkeeper's actions. The aim of this study is to know the offensive and defensive actions performed by goalkeepers and to determine if there are differences between goalkeepers of national teams qualified and not qualified for the knockout phase of the FIFAWorld Cup Russia 2018. Forty-eight matches of the competition were analysed.The results showed that more offensive (n = 2213) than defensive (n = 1419) actions were performed. Goalkeepers of ranked teams obtained high values in medium blocking (M = 1.02 ±1.21), passing (M = 5.20 ±5.07) and passing with ball in motion (M = 2.55 ± 2.11) while goalkeepers of unranked teams obtained high values in low blocking (M = 2.25 ±1.78) and serving (M = 5,19). Significant differences (p > 0.05) were obtained in the variables of space reduction, loose ball, two-time blocking, clearance and passing. © Copyright: Federación Española de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educación Física (FEADEF)