Network and collective behavior in professional football teams/NETWORK E COMPORTAMENTO COLETIVO EM EQUIPES PROFISSIONAIS DE FUTEBOL

Introduction: In football there is a great variability and unpredictability of actions that makes this game unique from the point of view of interpersonal relations between players. Objective: This study aimed to analyze the network of contacts and collective behavior that emerges in professional football teams. Methods: The sample consisted of the observation and analysis of two games, a professional team of football, adult category, referring to the First Portuguese League, season 2010/2011. Through the game analysis software-Amisco[R], the networks were used as an instrument that is used to measure, objectively, the key players (key players) team. Results: It appears that the player 4 (defender) and the player 6 (defense midfield) were the key players and the most influential in the analyzed games. Both players held their main interactions in the areas: 2CD, 3CD, 3CE, 4CD, 5CD and 5CE. They also found a high level of connectivity between players. Discussion and conclusion: Data corroborate the existence of a high interaction and connection between players of the game on the offensive phase. We concluded that the key player is a key part in the organization of the team, it balances its collective behavior and contributes to unbalance the action of the opponent. Keywords: Football. Collective Behavior. Network. Introducao: O jogo de Futebol apresenta grande variabilidade nas acoes e relacoes interpessoais estabelecidas entre jogadores. Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar a network de contatos e o comportamento coletivo que emerge em equipes profissionais de Futebol. Materiais e Metodos: A amostra consistiu na observacao e analise de dois jogos, de uma equipe profissional de Futebol, categoria adulta, da Primeira Liga Portuguesa, temporada 2010/2011. Atraves do software de analise de Jogo-Amisco[R], a metodologia das networks (redes) foi usada para avaliar os key players (jogadores-chave) da equipe. Resultados: Verifica-se que o jogador 4 (zagueiro) e o jogador 6 (volante) foram os jogadores-chave e os atletas mais influentes nos jogos analisados. Estes dois jogadores realizaram as suas principais interacoes nas zonas do campo: 2CD, 3CD, 3CE, 4CD, 5CD e 5CE. Tambem foi verificado um nivel elevado de conetividade entre jogadores. Discussao e conclusao: Os resultados mostram a existencia de uma elevada interacao e conexao entre atletas na fase ofensiva do jogo. Conclui-se que o jogador-chave e uma peca fundamental na organizacao da equipe, pois