Work rate
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In association football, work rate refers to the extent to which a player contributes to running and chasing in a match while not in possession of the ball.[1][2] Work rate is generally indicated by the distance covered by a player during a match. It indicates how actively a player presses, tracks defensive movement, and supports the attack. It is considered an important metric for the midfield and midfielders as well as substitute players.[3]
The evaluation of work rate has evolved over time. A high work rate is valued because players with this characteristic will be able to play a more active role in defending and attacking throughout a match. Players with low work rate sometimes criticized media, supporters or team management.[4] Former Brazil and São Paulo youth coach Carlos de Lorenzi warned against equating high work rate with high talent or match results given lack of historical correlation.[5][6] Argentine forward Lionel Messi is emblematic of a low work rate player who instead prioritizes energy conservation as well as high-impact runs in matches played for Argentina.[7][8]
An individual player's work rate may set records and has contributed to increased competitive success. Former Spanish midfielder Xavi ran almost 12 km, more than any other player, during the 2010–11 UEFA Champions League final for Spain.[9] During the 2010 FIFA World Cup final, he covered a distance of 14.98 km.[10] Similarly, Croatian midfielder Petar Sučić went on to set a national record for a top speed of 36.8 km/h (22 mph) and distance traveled 17.94 kilometers (11.14 miles) playing for Croatia in 2026.[11][12] Former German midfielder Philipp Lahm highlighted the lackluster work rate of Germany during the 2026 FIFA World Cup as justification for their inability to advance past the round of 32.[13]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Definition for work rate, n." Oxford English Dictionary Online. 30 March 2011. Retrieved 15 June 2011.
- ↑ O’Donoghue, Peter (1 June 2026). "Time-motion analysis of work-rate in English FA Premier League soccer" (PDF). School of Applied Medical Sciences and Sports Studies. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
- ↑ Padrón-Cabo, Alexis; Rey, Ezequiel; Vidal, Benjamín; García-Nuñez, Javier (2018-12-31). "Work-rate Analysis of Substitute Players in Professional Soccer: Analysis of Seasonal Variations". Journal of Human Kinetics. 65: 165–174. doi:10.2478/hukin-2018-0025. ISSN 1640-5544. PMC 6341962. PMID 30687428.
- ↑ "Arsenal: Time to renew the faith". ESPN Soccernet. 29 May 2011. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 15 June 2011.
- ↑ "World Cup 2010: Seven of the best players going to South Africa". The Guardian. 4 June 2010. Retrieved 15 June 2011.
- ↑ "Brazil's World Cup countdown". The Rio Times. 8 June 2010. Retrieved 15 June 2011.
- ↑ Anderson, Sam; Messinger, Sara (2026-07-03). "The Perishable, Never-Ending Genius of Lionel Messi". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2026-07-04.
- ↑ Veera, Siram (2026-07-02). "At 38, Messi has stopped running. That is what makes him impossible to stop". The Indian Express. Retrieved 2026-07-04.
- ↑ "Barcelona provide a coach's dream". BBC Sport. 30 May 2011. Retrieved 15 June 2011.
- ↑ "2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Players Heat Map" (PDF). FIFA.com. 11 July 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 11, 2012. Retrieved 15 June 2011.
- ↑ "Brazil Score Twice Late on to Beat Croatia 3-1 in World Cup Tune-up". english.aawsat.com. Retrieved 2026-06-28.
- ↑ "Petar Sučić sets a record: Ran an impressive 17.94 kilometers in the Croatia vs. France match". SUM SOVA portal. Retrieved 2026-06-28.
- ↑ Lahm, Philipp (2026-07-03). "'What's behind Germany's World Cup disaster? A full-blown identity crisis' – Philipp Lahm". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2026-07-04.