In association football (soccer), both teams start with ten out eld players and a goalkeeper, which suggests that balance exists between them. In order to create space for goal scoring opportunities (GSOs; shooting attempts), it was found that this balance has to be disturbed (1, 2). Assessing balance qualitatively may provide insights into playing e ectiveness in a time-efficient and accessible fashion. Furthermore, practitioners do not have to rely on xed events, such as shots or possessions, potentially improving the exibility of analyses (3). Aims of the paper In order to determine the applicability of such an approach, the present study aimed to explore defensive balance in a qualitative manner. By having experts observe and rate the between-team balance during match events leading up to GSOs, it was aimed to determine whether the concept can be validly described and applied by quali ed individuals. By collecting the reasons for the occurrence of the GSOs, thus for a loss of balance, typical styles of play a ecting balance may become apparent.
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