Frontiers in Sport Research, 2026, 8(2); doi: 10.25236/FSR.2026.080211.
Ruoxi Tang
Virginia Episcopal School, 24503, Lynchburg, USA
This study investigates the mechanisms behind factors that influence dribbling efficiency at the highest level of soccer through a case study of Lamine Yamal. The study combines statistical analysis and comparative analysis to examine how contextual decision-making influences dribbling outcomes in high-frequency one-on-one situations. Performance trends are compared with Nico Williams of Athletic Club as a reference player due to similar positional roles and league environments. The analysis incorporates both statistical data and qualitative match footage to evaluate factors such as body orientation, timing of engagement, and spatial positioning during dribble attempts. The results indicate that Yamal maintains high dribbling success rates while sustaining relatively controlled possession losses despite high usage. The study suggests that elite dribbling efficiency is not primarily driven by exceptional physical attributes but rather by cognitive factors related to decision-making, spatial awareness, timing, and composure.
Soccer analytics, Dribbling efficiency, Decision-making in soccer, Spatial awareness in sports, Player performance analysis, Case study
Ruoxi Tang. Decision-Making Efficiency in Elite Wingers: A Case Study of Lamine Yamal. Frontiers in Sport Research (2026), Vol. 8, Issue 2: 66-71. https://doi.org/10.25236/FSR.2026.080211.
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