| Abstract: |
A number of soccer officials have long debated whether to ban soccer games
played at high altitudes above sea level. This paper explores soccer player’s
performance when playing at high elevations using data obtained from the Copa
Libertadores. I propose a range of direct indicators of player performance
when playing at high altitudes: the number of total passes, the number of
passes in the opposition’s half, and the number of successful passes. I also
review the effects on the percentage of successful passes and the percentage
of successful passes in the opponents’ half of the field. The performance
indicators compare player outcomes when playing away above 2,500 meters (8,202
feet) relative to when they play away below that threshold. The results
suggest that, for the most part, altitude has no impact. It does, however,
have an impact on variables related to the way a player performs when faced
with risky decisions. In particular, I find that the percentage of successful
passes rises by about 5.6 percentage points, mostly driven by each player’s
behavior in his own half. My findings suggest that players (and coaches) adapt
to the conditions. |