Chapter 11 Quiz: Possession and Territorial Control

Instructions

This quiz contains 30 questions covering possession metrics, territorial control, efficiency analysis, and pressing. Select the best answer for each question.

Time Limit: 45 minutes Passing Score: 70% (21/30)

Section A: Possession Fundamentals (Questions 1-10)

Question 1

What is the most common method for calculating possession percentage from event data?

A) Time each team has the ball B) Proportion of successful passes by each team C) Number of shots taken D) Distance covered with the ball

Question 2

A possession sequence ends when:

A) A player makes a pass B) The opposing team gains possession or play stops C) The ball crosses the halfway line D) 30 seconds have elapsed

Question 3

If Team A has 62% possession but loses 1-0, this is an example of:

A) The possession paradox B) Statistical error C) Defensive strategy D) Both A and C

Question 4

Field position is typically measured by:

A) The average x-coordinate of a team's events B) The number of goals scored C) The distance from the goalkeeper D) Shot accuracy

Question 5

"Field Tilt" measures:

A) The angle of passes B) The proportion of touches in the attacking third C) The slope of the pitch D) Player height advantage

Question 6

A Territorial Index (TI) of 0.65 for Team A indicates:

A) Team A controlled 65% of possession B) Team A's average field position was higher than Team B's C) Team A scored 65% of the goals D) Team A had 65 shots

Question 7

What is the maximum possible number of directed edges in a possession sequence of 5 events?

A) 4 B) 5 C) 10 D) 20

Question 8

If a team's average event x-coordinate is 70m (on a 120m pitch), this suggests:

A) They play in their defensive half B) They control the middle and attacking thirds C) They are losing the match D) They use long balls

Question 9

Possession sequences that end in shots are typically:

A) Shorter than average B) Longer than average C) Exactly average length D) The length doesn't matter

Question 10

Zone control analysis is useful for:

A) Identifying territorial dominance patterns B) Counting goals C) Measuring player fitness D) Calculating salaries

Section B: Territorial Control (Questions 11-16)

Question 11

Spatial control models estimate:

A) The probability of each team controlling any point on the pitch B) Player running speed C) Ball possession time D) Shot accuracy

Question 12

When calculating zone control with a 6x3 grid, how many zones are created?

A) 9 B) 18 C) 36 D) 6

Question 13

A team's zone control in the attacking third is 0.35. This means:

A) 35% of their events occurred in the attacking third B) They scored 35 goals C) 35 players were involved D) The match lasted 35 minutes

Question 14

Gaussian kernel density estimation is used for:

A) Smoothing spatial control maps B) Counting passes C) Measuring player height D) Calculating salaries

Question 15

If Team A has 60% zone control in Zone X and Team B has 40%, what is the zone dominance value for Team A?

A) +20% B) 60% C) 100% D) +0.20

Question 16

Contested zones are areas where:

A) Both teams have similar control percentages B) Only one team has the ball C) Goals are scored D) Players fight

Section C: Possession Value (Questions 17-22)

Question 17

xT-weighted possession values possession by:

A) The Expected Threat value of locations controlled B) The number of passes made C) Player market value D) Match duration

Question 18

"Dangerous possession" is typically defined as possession in zones with:

A) xT > 0.05 (or similar threshold) B) More than 10 players C) No opponents D) Goals scored

Question 19

Possession efficiency is calculated as:

A) Value created divided by possession volume B) Total possession time C) Number of players D) Goals scored multiplied by 2

Question 20

If Team A has 30% possession but generates 1.5 xG, and Team B has 70% possession but generates 0.8 xG, which team is more efficient?

A) Team A B) Team B C) They are equally efficient D) Cannot be determined

Question 21

Possession-adjusted metrics are useful for:

A) Fair comparison between teams with different possession levels B) Counting goals C) Measuring pitch dimensions D) Calculating referee decisions

Question 22

The formula xG per 100 possessions converts:

A) Raw xG into a rate comparable across teams B) Goals into assists C) Passes into shots D) Time into distance

Section D: Pressing and Regain (Questions 23-28)

Question 23

PPDA stands for:

A) Passes Per Defensive Action B) Points Per Draw Average C) Possession Plus Defense Aggregate D) Player Performance Data Analysis

Question 24

A PPDA of 8 compared to a PPDA of 15 indicates:

A) More intense pressing (fewer opponent passes per defensive action) B) Less intense pressing C) More goals scored D) Fewer fouls committed

Question 25

High turnovers refer to:

A) Ball recoveries in the attacking third B) Goals scored in the first half C) Player transfers D) Referee decisions

Question 26

Counter-pressing (Gegenpressing) measures:

A) Immediate pressure applied after losing possession B) Defensive line height C) Number of substitutions D) Corner kick effectiveness

Question 27

A counter-pressing success rate of 35% means:

A) 35% of possession losses were regained within a short time window B) 35 goals were scored C) The team had 35% possession D) 35 players participated

Question 28

If a team has low PPDA and high field position, they likely:

A) Press high up the pitch B) Defend deep C) Score few goals D) Have low possession

Section E: Advanced Analysis (Questions 29-30)

Question 29

When analyzing possession sequences, which outcome indicates the highest quality possession?

A) Sequence ending in a goal B) Sequence ending in a turnover in own half C) Sequence lasting exactly 10 seconds D) Sequence with exactly 5 passes

Question 30

A possession style fingerprint combines:

A) Multiple possession metrics into a team profile B) Player fingerprints C) Stadium dimensions D) Referee statistics

Answer Key

Section A: Possession Fundamentals

  1. B - Pass-based possession is most common with event data
  2. B - Sequences end when possession changes or play stops
  3. D - Both the possession paradox and an example of defensive strategy
  4. A - Average x-coordinate measures field position
  5. B - Field tilt is the proportion of touches in attacking third
  6. B - TI > 0.5 indicates higher field position than opponent
  7. A - 4 edges maximum in a directed sequence of 5 events
  8. B - 70m average is in the opponent's half
  9. B - Shot sequences typically require sustained build-up
  10. A - Zone control reveals territorial dominance

Section B: Territorial Control

  1. A - Spatial control estimates control probability at each point
  2. B - 6 × 3 = 18 zones
  3. A - 35% of events in attacking third
  4. A - Gaussian KDE smooths spatial distributions
  5. D - Dominance is the difference: 0.60 - 0.40 = +0.20
  6. A - Contested zones have similar control from both teams

Section C: Possession Value

  1. A - xT-weighted possession uses location threat values
  2. A - Dangerous possession is high-xT possession
  3. A - Efficiency = value / volume
  4. A - Team A: 1.5/0.3 = 7.0 xG per possession unit; Team B: 0.8/0.7 = 1.14
  5. A - Enables fair comparison across possession levels
  6. A - Converts to a rate metric

Section D: Pressing and Regain

  1. A - Passes Per Defensive Action
  2. A - Lower PPDA = more intense pressing
  3. A - Recoveries in attacking third
  4. A - Immediate pressure after losing the ball
  5. A - 35% of losses resulted in quick regains
  6. A - Low PPDA + high field position = high pressing

Section E: Advanced Analysis

  1. A - Goals are the ultimate measure of possession quality
  2. A - Fingerprints combine multiple metrics

Scoring Guide

  • 27-30 correct: Excellent - You have mastered possession analysis
  • 24-26 correct: Good - Strong understanding with minor gaps
  • 21-23 correct: Passing - Adequate knowledge, review weak areas
  • 18-20 correct: Needs Improvement - Review chapter material
  • Below 18: Review Required - Revisit fundamental concepts

Concepts to Review by Score Range

If you scored below 80%, review: - Possession sequence definition (Section 11.1) - Field position and zone control (Section 11.2)

If you scored below 70%, also review: - Possession value models (Section 11.3) - PPDA and pressing metrics (Section 11.5)

If you scored below 60%, complete: - All chapter exercises - Hands-on coding practice with provided examples