Actual Playing Time in the Senior Football Championship of Romania, League I

Abstract

Actual playing time is an important problem in the progress of a football game, with implications in both the scientific guidance of the training process and the achievement of superior results. The issue addressed in this research is useful, because it has been noticed that, in the official games played by seniors, a lot of time is wasted on:  fixed moments (phases) – throw-in, corner kick, direct and indirect free kicks, referee’s ball, kick-off;  substituting players;  player injuries during games;  solving unexpected situations – the entry of a supporter on the field, the existence of several balls on the field, as well as the discussions between referees and technical staff members. One of the important features of current football, the game dynamics, is also highlighted by a significant number of technical and tactical actions. In this regard, actual playing time must be as long as possible to the detriment of breaks and fragmentations occurred during games. In the context of major competitions – European cups, European Championship and World Championship, there is a visible trend to increase the actual playing time, which can be achieved by using, in the training of football players, some rationalized and standardized methods and means with increased efficiency.