Table of Contents
- How many miles do soccer players run in a game?
- Distance covered in soccer matches by position
- Which soccer league has the fittest (most hard-working) players?
- What factors affect the distance covered in a soccer match?
- Recap: How far do soccer players run in a game?
How far do soccer players run in a game? Well, it depends on various factors, including their position on the field, as well as the team’s tactical approach and fitness levels.
So, in this article, we explain in detail how far soccer players run in a game on average and introduce you to the leagues with the fittest (or at least hard-working) teams in world soccer.
How many miles do soccer players run in a game?
Soccer players typically run between 5.5 and 6.5 miles per match, but the distance covered depends on various factors, including a player’s position on the field, as well as their age and level of personal fitness.
A fascinating study found that midfielders run the most out of any other position, chalking up approximately 6.5 miles on average during soccer matches. Conversely, central defenders typically run the least out of all outfield players, with an average distance of 5.7 miles covered.
Read on to find out more about how far soccer players run in a game and learn some of the factors that can influence the distance that a player covers during a match.
Distance covered in soccer matches by position
As you may be aware, certain positions on a soccer field require players to cover more distance than others. For instance, central midfielders need to cover more grass than central defenders, as they are actively involved in attacking and defending.
The following table highlights the average distances run by players in different positions on the soccer field across 31 competitions during the 2020-21 season and makes for fascinating reading:
| Position | Average distance (miles) |
| Center Back | 5.71 |
| Full back | 6.08 |
| Midfielder | 6.58 |
| Winger | 6.33 |
| Forward | 6.15 |
Unsurprisingly, midfielders, followed by wingers, cover the most distance on average during a soccer match, while center backs run the least amount of miles as far as outfield positions are concerned.
This data suggests that if you are particularly fit and are looking for the best position to play on the soccer field, taking up a position in the center of the midfield could be well suited to your fitness levels.
Which soccer league has the fittest (most hard-working) players?
The already-introduced brilliant study from the guys over at Football Observatory studied match data from 31 leagues around the world to determine which teams and players covered the most distance.
They determined that the average distance covered by a team during the season was 62.07 miles (99.99km), with some interesting data showing the leagues that are considered above and below average.
The study shows that teams in the Spanish La Liga cover the most distance, with an average of 64.43 miles covered per game. Second is the Swedish Allsvenskan (64.37 miles), closely followed by the Dutch Eredivisie (64.31 miles).
Teams in MLS cover an average distance of 62.82 miles per game, which places them higher than teams in the English Premier League (62.63 miles).
Of the 31 leagues reviewed, teams in the Brazilian Serie A covered the least amount of distance, chalking up just 59.52 miles per game collectively.
This statistic is perhaps indicative of the relatively slow pace and increased level of skill of Brazilian soccer, and doesn’t necessarily suggest that Brazilian players are lazy!
Keen to tune into Brazilian soccer from the US? Find out how to watch Brazilian soccer live in this recent article.
What factors affect the distance covered in a soccer match?
There are several factors that affect the amount of distance that a player and a team collectively cover in a soccer match, including the following:
Possession
Teams that control possession of the ball typically cover less distance than those that are out of possession. This is because they’re able to let the ball do the work while the opponent spends more time covering the ground to try and win the ball back.
Fitness levels
The truth of the matter is that some players are fitter than others, and this feeds into an entire team’s performance. The most effective teams in world soccer are those that press high and win the ball back quickly, and you will find that they are usually the fittest teams in the competition as a result.
Approach
Another thing to bear in mind when thinking about distance covered is the approach taken by a particular team. Some teams are happy to let their opponents have possession, and they only press when the ball enters their own half. This would see them post lower numbers than their opponents, who typically press all over the pitch.
Conditions
Although it doesn’t make a huge difference in the professional game, teams that play in hot climates tend to struggle to cover as much distance as those that play in colder climes. This is particularly challenging for teams that play in humid temperatures throughout the year.
Recap: How far do soccer players run in a game?
Most soccer players run between 5.5 and 6.5 miles in a game, but various factors can affect the distance covered by individuals and teams.
A study found that teams in Spain’s La Liga cover the most distance, while MLS teams cover an above-average amount of distance every game.
One thing is for certain is that players and teams that work harder and cover more distance are typically rewarded with victories, so it’s something that all soccer teams should aspire to.