Ballbesitzquote

Ballbesitzquote, also known as ball possession percentage, is a statistical measure used in association football to quantify the amount of time a team controls the ball during a match. It is expressed as a percentage of the total playing time, with higher values indicating greater dominance in maintaining possession. The metric is calculated by dividing the time a team had possession of the ball by the total match duration, then multiplying by 100. For example, if a team possessed the ball for 30 minutes in a 90‑minute game, its ballbesitzquote would be 33.3 %.

The concept originated in the 1970s and 1980s when computer analysis of matches became feasible, and has since been adopted by clubs, pundits, and data‑analytical firms. While possession alone does not guarantee success, it often correlates with effective defensive organization, tactical control, and the ability to dictate the tempo. Critics argue that high possession can be idle or fail to translate into goal opportunities, so the metric is frequently examined alongside other indicators such as pass accuracy, expected goals (xG), and progressive passes.

In professional leagues like the Bundesliga, Premier League, and La Liga, ballbesitzquote is routinely reported after matches. Analyses of top teams frequently reveal persistent possession advantages, especially under possession‑style managers such as Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp, who prioritize ball control to disrupt opponents’ structure. The statistic also serves as a tool for scouting, opponent‑analysis, and performance evaluation, making it an integral part of modern football analytics.