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SciSports Event Types

Explore the definitions of all SciSports Event Types here

J
Written by Jurre van Laarhoven
Updated this week

At SciSports, we are dedicated to delivering clear and consistent insights into the game through our data. To support this, we proudly present the SciSports Event Types Glossary, a concise yet comprehensive reference designed to define and standardise all event types used across our platforms.

This glossary provides precise definitions and context for each event type (per category), helping users to interpret our data accurately and confidently. As football analytics evolve, this glossary will be regularly updated to reflect the latest developments and maintain transparency in our approach.

Below you’ll find shortcuts to all event types by category for easier navigation:


Finishing

Shots

Definition:

Shot from open play

Shots on target

Definition:

Shot on target from open play

Shots wide

Definition:

Shot wide from open play

Shots hitting the post/crossbar

Definition:

Shot hitting the post or crossbar from open play

Shots blocked

Definition:

Shot from open play blocked by an outfield player (from any team)

Close shots

Definition:

Shot from open play from inside the score box

Long distance shots

Definition:

Shot from open play from outside the score box

Offensive headers

Definition:

Shot with the head from open play

Offensive headers from set-piece

Definition:

Shot with the head directly following a set-piece

Close shots not from cross

Definition:

Shot from inside the score box, not following a cross

Shots from crosses

Definition:

Shot following a cross from open play

Shots from crossed set-pieces

Definition:

Shot following a crossed set-piece

Shots from crossed free-kicks

Definition:

Shot following a crossed freekick

Shots from crossed corners

Definition:

Shot following a crossed corner

Shots direct from corners

Definition:

Shot directly from a corner kick

Penalty shots

Definition:

Shot from a penalty kick

Direct free kick shots

Definition:

Shot from a direct freekick

Shots with the feet

Definition:

Shot with the foot

Goals

Definition:

Goal

Goals from penalties

Definition:

Goal scored from a penalty kick

Goals not from penalties

Definition:

Goal scored from anything but a penalty kick

Goals from direct free kicks

Definition:

Goals scored from a direct free kick

Goals from long distance shots

Definition:

Goals scored from outside the box

Goals from crossed corners

Definition:

Goal scored from a crossed corners

Defending

Blocking shots

Definition:

Shot blocked (defensive action)

Disruptions in own box

Definition:

Open play defensive action inside the own scorebox

Disruption of box penetrations

Definition:

Open play prevention of a score box penetration by the opponent

Disruption of long balls

Definition:

Open play prevention of long ball by the opponent

Open-play defense in air

Definition:

Open play defensive air challenge

Set-piece defense in own box

Definition:

Defensive action in the own score box following a set-piece by the opponent

Set-piece defense in air

Definition:

Defensive air challenge following a set-piece by the opponent

Transition forcing in air

Definition:

Open play interception following an air challenge

Regain possession

Definition:

Recovery of the ball in open play

Counter interceptions

Definition:

Recovery of the ball in open play, within 5 seconds after losing possession in open play

Counter interceptions own half

Definition:

Recovery of the ball in open play, within 5 seconds after losing possession in open play, on the own half

Counter interceptions opponent half

Definition:

Recovery of the ball in open play, within 5 seconds after losing possession in open play, on the opposing half

Fouls

Definition:

Foul committed

Fouls resulting in a penalty

Definition:

Foul committed, resulting in a penalty

Offsides

Definition:

Player being called offside

Yellow cards

Definition:

Yellow card received

Red cards

Definition:

Red card received

Clearances

Definition:

Ball being cleared from the own defensive area following an event by the opponent

Own goals

Definition:

Own goal being scored

Tackles

Definition:

A successful challenge for the ball on the ground

Recoveries

Definition:

Recovery of possession in open play

Interceptions

Definition:

Interception of the ball in open play

Challenges

Definition:

A non-successful challenge of the ball on the ground

Air duels

Definition:

A challenge for the ball while the ball is above shoulder height

Air duels won

Definition:

A challenge for the ball while the ball is above shoulder height, resulting in possession (of the team)

Air duels lost

Definition:

A challenge for the ball while the ball is above shoulder height, not resulting in possession (of the team)

Passing

Passes

Definition:

Open play pass, not with the head

Passes succ.

Definition:

Open play pass, not with the head, received by a teammate

Passes unsucc.

Definition:

Open play pass, not with the head, not received by a teammate

Short pass

Definition:

Open play pass, not with the head, <10 m

Short pass succ.

Definition:

Open play pass, not with the head, <10 m, received by a teammate

Short pass unsucc.

Definition:

Open play pass, not with the head, <10 m, not received by a teammate

Middle long passes

Definition:

Open play pass, not with the head, 10-34m

Middle long passes succ.

Definition:

Open play pass, not with the head, 10-34m, received by a teammate

Middle long passes unsucc.

Definition:

Open play pass, not with the head, 10-34m, not received by a teammate

Long passes

Definition:

Open play pass, not with the head, ≥34m

Long passes succ.

Definition:

Open play pass, not with the head, ≥34m, received by a teammate

Long passes unsucc.

Definition:

Open play pass, not with the head, ≥34m, not received by a teammate

Direct passes

Definition:

Open play pass, not with the head, reducing the distance to the opposing goal

Direct passes succ.

Definition:

Open play pass, not with the head, reducing the distance to the opposing goal, received by a teammate

Direct passes unsucc.

Definition:

Open play pass, not with the head, reducing the distance to the opposing goal, not received by a teammate

Switch of play passes

Definition:

Open play pass played from one flank / halfspace to the other, in the first or middle third

Switch of play passes succ.

Definition:

Open play pass played from one flank / halfspace to the other, in the first or middle third, received by a teammate

Switch of play passes unsucc.

Definition:

Open play pass played from one flank / halfspace to the other, in the first or middle third, not received by a teammate

Build-up passes

Definition:

Open play pass, not with the head, starting in the first or middle third

Build-up passes succ.

Definition:

Open play pass, not with the head, starting in the first or middle third, received by a teammate

Build-up passes unsucc.

Definition:

Open play pass, not with the head, starting in the first or middle third, not received by a teammate

Chance creation passes

Definition:

Open play pass, not with the head, starting in the final third

Chance creation passes succ.

Definition:

Open play pass, not with the head, starting in the final third, received by a teammate

Chance creation passes unsucc.

Definition:

Open play pass, not with the head, starting in the final third, not received by a teammate

Passes into the final third

Definition:

Open play pass, not with the head, starting outside the final third and ending inside the final third

Passes into the final third succ.

Definition:

Open play pass, not with the head, starting outside the final third and ending inside the final third, received by a teammate

Passes into the final third unsucc.

Definition:

Open play pass, not with the head, starting outside the final third and ending inside the final third, not received by a teammate

Deep completions

Definition:

Forward open play pass ≥15m, not with the head, starting outside the opposing score box and ending inside the opposing score box

Deep completions succ.

Definition:

Forward open play pass ≥15m, not with the head, starting outside the opposing score box and ending inside the opposing score box, received by a teammate

Deep completions unsucc.

Definition:

Forward open play pass ≥15m, not with the head, starting outside the opposing score box and ending inside the opposing score box, not received by a teammate

Passes in/around the box

Definition:

Forward or sideways open play pass, not with the head, starting <25m from the opposing goal

Passes in/around the box succ.

Definition:

Forward or sideways open play pass, not with the head, starting <25m from the opposing goal, received by a teammate

Passes in/around the box unsucc.

Definition:

Forward or sideways open play pass, not with the head, starting <25m from the opposing goal, not received by a teammate

First passes after recovery

Definition:

First pass after a successful change of possession in open play, not with the head

First passes after recovery succ.

Definition:

First pass after a successful change of possession in open play, not with the head, received by a teammate

First passes after recovery unsucc.

Definition:

First pass after a successful change of possession in open play, not with the head, not received by a teammate

Assists

Definition:

Pass followed by a shot resulting in a goal

Pre assists

Definition:

Pass followed by an assist

Key passes

Definition:

Pass followed by a shot

Pre-key passes

Definition:

Pass followed by a key pass

Passes into offside

Definition:

Pass resulting in the receiving players being trapped offside

Header passes

Definition:

Open play pass with the head

Header passes succ.

Definition:

Open play pass with the head, received by a teammate

Header passes unsucc.

Definition:

Open play pass with the head, not received by a teammate

Passes into the hot zone

Definition:

Open play pass, not with the head, starting outside the hot zone and ending inside the hot zone (Hot zone: Central zone from the top of the score box to the final third line)

Passes into the hot zone succ.

Definition:

Open play pass, not with the head, starting outside the hot zone and ending inside the hot zone, received by a teammate (Hot zone: Central zone from the top of the score box to the final third line)

Passes into the hot zone unsucc.

Definition:

Open play pass, not with the head, starting outside the hot zone and ending inside the hot zone, not received by a teammate (Hot zone: Central zone from the top of the score box to the final third line)

Passes into the assists zone

Definition:

Open play pass, not with the head, starting outside the assist zone and ending inside the assist zone (Assist zone: Flank zones in the final third, lateral to the score box)

Passes into the assists zone succ.

Definition:

Open play pass, not with the head, starting outside the assist zone and ending inside the assist zone, received by a teammate (Assist zone: Flank zones in the final third, lateral to the score box)

Passes into the hot assists zone unsucc.

Definition:

Open play pass, not with the head, starting outside the assist zone and ending inside the assist zone, not received by a teammate (Assist zone: Flank zones in the final third, lateral to the score box)

Passes from the hot zone

Definition:

Open play pass, not with the head, starting inside the hot zone and ending outside the hot zone (Hot zone: Central zone from the top of the score box to the final third line)

Passes from the hot zone succ.

Definition:

Open play pass, not with the head, starting inside the hot zone and ending outside the hot zone, received by a teammate (Hot zone: Central zone from the top of the score box to the final third line)

Passes from the hot zone unsucc.

Definition:

Open play pass, not with the head, starting inside the hot zone and ending outside the hot zone, not received by a teammate (Hot zone: Central zone from the top of the score box to the final third line)

Passes from the assist zone

Definition:

Open play pass, not with the head, starting inside the assist zone and ending outside the assist zone (Assist zone: Flank zones in the final third, lateral to the score box)

Passes from the assist zone succ.

Definition:

Open play pass, not with the head, starting inside the assist zone and ending outside the assist zone, received by a teammate (Assist zone: Flank zones in the final third, lateral to the score box)

Passes from the assist zone unsucc.

Definition:

Open play pass, not with the head, starting inside the assist zone and ending outside the assist zone, not received by a teammate (Assist zone: Flank zones in the final third, lateral to the score box)

Crosses

Definition:

Open play pass, not with the head, crossed from outside the score box in the flank zones in the final third, into the central zone of the score box

Crosses succ.

Definition:

Open play pass, not with the head, crossed from outside the score box in the flank zones in the final third, into the central zone of the score box, received by a teammate

Crosses unsucc.

Definition:

Open play pass, not with the head, crossed from outside the score box in the flank zones in the final third, into the central zone of the score box, not received by a teammate

Crosses blocked

Definition:

Open play pass, not with the head, crossed from outside the score box in the flank zones in the final third, intended for the central zone of the score box, blocked by an opponent

Early crosses

Definition:

Open play pass, not with the head, crossed from outside the score box in the flank zones in the final third, before the start of the score box height, into the central zone of the score box

Early crosses succ.

Definition:

Open play pass, not with the head, crossed from outside the score box in the flank zones in the final third, before the start of the score box height, into the central zone of the score box, received by a teammate

Early crosses unsucc.

Definition:

Open play pass, not with the head, crossed from outside the score box in the flank zones in the final third, before the start of the score box height, into the central zone of the score box, not received by a teammate

Late crosses

Definition:

Open play pass, not with the head, crossed from outside the score box in the flank zones in the final third, after the start of the score box height, into the central zone of the score box

Late crosses succ.

Definition:

Open play pass, not with the head, crossed from outside the score box in the flank zones in the final third, after the start of the score box height, into the central zone of the score box, received by a teammate

Late crosses unsucc.

Definition:

Open play pass, not with the head, crossed from outside the score box in the flank zones in the final third, after the start of the score box height, into the central zone of the score box, not received by a teammate

Cutback crosses

Definition:

Open play pass, not with the headed, crossed from the lateral backline zone inside the score box, backwards into the central zone of the score box

Cutback crosses succ.

Definition:

Open play pass, not with the headed, crossed from the lateral backline zone inside the score box, backwards into the central zone of the score box, received by a teammate

Cutback crosses unsucc.

Definition:

Open play pass, not with the headed, crossed from the lateral backline zone inside the score box, backwards into the central zone of the score box, not received by a teammate

Dribbling

Dribbles

Definition:

Dribble with the ball

Carries

Definition:

Dribble with the ball resulting in >5m forward displacement

Take-ons

Definition:

Dribble resulting a duel

Take-ons succ.

Definition:

Dribble resulting a duel, after which player remains in possession

Take-ons unsucc.

Definition:

Dribble resulting a duel, after which player loses in possession

Dribbles past opponent

Definition:

Dribble resulting a duel, after which player remains in possession, resulting in >5m forwards displacement

Cuts inside

Definition:

Dribble from the flank zone inwards, on the attacking half

Dribbles into the box

Definition:

Dribble starting outside the opposing score box, and ending inside the opposing score box

Dribbles into opponent half

Definition:

Dribble starting outside the opposing half, and ending inside the opposing half

Dribbles into the final third

Definition:

Dribble starting outside the final third, and ending inside the final third

Receptions/Offensive Positioning

Receptions

Definition:

Ball reception

Overlapping runs

Definition:

Ball reception after making an overlapping run

Underlapping runs

Definition:

Ball reception after making an underlapping run

Final third receptions

Definition:

Ball reception in the final third

Halfspace receptions

Definition:

Ball reception in the half space of the final third

Box receptions

Definition:

Ball reception in the opposing score box

Hot zone receptions

Definition:

Ball reception in the hot zone (see hot zone definition earlier)

Assist zone receptions

Definition:

Ball reception in the assist zone (see assist zone definition earlier)

Retention

Ball losses

Definition:

Any pass, cross or dribble resulting a loss of possession

Ball losses own half

Definition:

Any pass, cross or dribble resulting a loss of possession on the own half

Ball losses opponent half

Definition:

Any pass, cross or dribble resulting a loss of possession on the opposing half

Goalkeeping

Goal kicks

Definition:

Goal kicks

Goal kicks succ.

Definition:

Goal kicks received by a team-member

Goal kicks unsucc.

Definition:

Goal kicks not received by a team-member

Short goal kicks

Definition:

Goal kicks <34m (short & middle distance passes)

Short goal kicks succ.

Definition:

Goal kicks <34m (short & middle distance passes) received by a teammate

Short goal kicks unsucc.

Definition:

Goal kicks <34m (short & middle distance passes) not received by a teammate

Long goal kicks

Definition:

Goal kicks ≥34m (long distance passes)

Long goal kicks succ.

Definition:

Goal kicks ≥34m (long distance passes) received by a teammate

Long goal kicks unsucc.

Definition:

Goal kicks ≥34m (long distance passes) not received by a teammate

Long goalkeeper throws

Definition:

Pass by the keeper with the hands

Long goalkeeper throws succ.

Definition:

Pass by the keeper with the hands received by a teammate

Long goalkeeper throws unsucc.

Definition:

Pass by the keeper with the hands not received by a teammate

Keeper saves

Definition:

Save on shot conceded, including unsuccessful saves (goal conceded)

Shots saved

Definition:

Successful save by the goalkeeper

Goals conceded

Definition:

Failed save attempt (goal conceded) by the goalkeeper

1v1 saves

Definition:

Save within 5 meters of the shot location

Penalties faced

Definition:

Save or attempted save of a penalty shot by the goalkeeper

Penalties saved

Definition:

Successful save of a penalty shot by the goalkeeper

Penalties conceded

Definition:

Failed save attempt of a penalty shot (goal conceded) by the goalkeeper

Free kicks faced

Definition:

Save or attempted save of a free kick shot by the goalkeeper

Free kicks saved

Definition:

Successful save of a free kick shot by the goalkeeper

Free kicks conceded

Definition:

Failed save attempt of a free kick shot (goal conceded) by the goalkeeper

Long shots faced

Definition:

Save or attempted save of a long shot (from outside the box) by the goalkeeper

Long shots saved

Definition:

Successful save of a long shot (from outside the box) by the goalkeeper

Long shots conceded

Definition:

Failed save attempt (goal conceded) of a long shot (from outside the box) by the goalkeeper

Headers faced

Definition:

Save or attempted save by the goalkeeper on a header shot

Headers saved

Definition:

Successful save by the goalkeeper on a header shot

Headers conceded

Definition:

Failed save attempt (goal conceded) by the goalkeeper on a header shot

Crossed set-piece shots faced

Definition:

Save or attempted save by the goalkeeper on a shot from a crossed free kick

Crossed set-piece shots saved

Definition:

Successful save by the goalkeeper on a shot from a crossed free kick

Crossed set-piece shots conceded

Definition:

Failed save attempt (goal conceded) by the goalkeeper on a shot from a crossed free kick

Crossed corner shots faced

Definition:

Save or attempted save by the goalkeeper on a shot from a crossed corner

Crossed corner shots saved

Definition:

Successful save by the goalkeeper on a shot from a crossed corner

Crossed corner shots conceded

Definition:

Failed save attempt (goal conceded) by the goalkeeper on a shot from a crossed corner

Line saves

Definition:

Save by the keeper while positioned in the own goal box

Offensive goalkeeper actions outside the box

Definition:

Offensive action (pass or dribble) by the goalkeeper outside the own score box

Defensive goalkeeper actions after the penalty spot

Definition:

Defensive action (interception, tackle, foul, clearance etc.) by the goalkeeper made higher than the penalty mark (>11m from the goal-line)

Defensive goalkeeper actions outside the box

Definition:

Defensive action (interception, tackle, foul, clearance etc.) by the goalkeeper made outside of the own score box

Claims

Definition:

Goalkeeper claiming a ball coming in through the air

Cross claims

Definition:

Goalkeeper claiming a crossed ball

Keeper pick-ups

Definition:

Goalkeeper picking the ball up from the ground

Keeper punches

Definition:

Goalkeeper punching the ball away

Keeper cross punches

Definition:

Goalkeeper punching a crossed ball away

Set Pieces

Throw ins

Definition:

Throw in

Throw ins succ.

Definition:

Throw ins received by a teammate

Throws ins unsucc.

Definition:

Throw ins not received by a teammate

Throw ins crossed

Definition:

Throw ins crossed into the box

Throw ins crossed succ.

Definition:

Throw ins crossed into the box received by a teammate

Throw ins crossed unsucc.

Definition:

Throw in crossed into the box, not received by a teammate

Free kicks crossed

Definition:

Freekick crossed into the score box

Free kicks crossed succ.

Definition:

Freekick crossed into the score box, received by a teammate

Free kicks crossed unsucc.

Definition:

Freekick crossed into the score box, not received by a teammate

Free kicks short

Definition:

Freekick not crossed or short

Free kicks short succ.

Definition:

Freekick not crossed or short, received by a teammate

Free kicks short unsucc.

Definition:

Freekick not crossed or short, not received by a teammate

Corners crossed

Definition:

Crossed corner kick

Corners short

Definition:

Short corner kick

Penalties

Definition:

Penalty

Kick-offs

Definition:

Kick-off

Penalties awarded

Definition:

Penalty being awarded after suffering a foul

Free kicks awarded

Definition:

Freekick awarded after suffering a foul

Indirect free kicks awarded

Definition:

Indirect Freekick awarded after suffering a foul

Direct free kicks awarded

Definition:

Direct Freekick awarded after suffering a foul

Balls out for goal kick

Definition:

Ball goes out resulting a goal kick

Balls out for throw in

Definition:

Ball goes out resulting in a throw in

Balls out for corner

Definition:

Ball goes out resulting in a corner

Referee ball drops

Definition:

Referee restarts the game with a ball drop

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