BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of high- and low-percentage ball possession (HPBP and LPBP) on teams` technical and physical indicators at the 2016 European Football Championship. METHODS: Match performance data were collected from 14 matches using the InStat multiple-camera tracking system. Data were analyzed with an independent samples t-test, effect sizes (ES), and discriminant analysis based on a structural coefficient (SC). RESULTS: The results indicated that there were significant differences between HPBP and LPBP teams in terms of the following technical indicators: total passes (t[26]=4.32, P=0.00, ES=1.63), accurate passes (t[26]=3.84, P=0.00, ES=1.67), and fouls committed (t[26]=-2.09, P=0.04, ES=0.75). The discriminant analysis indicated that technical variables (total passes: SC=0.66; accurate passes: SC=0.59; fouls committed: SC=-0.32) and physical indicators (running distance: SC=0.42; and sprinting distance: SC=0.65) distinguished HPBP and LPBP teams. LPBP teams covered a greater total distance (10,531±360 m) than HPBP teams (10,320±279 m). CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide practical implications for football scientists and coaches to design individualized training programs for HPBP and LPBP teams based on technical and physical requirements.
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