"Assist" is a term used in team sports. Translated from English, assist means "to help," "to assist," to "provide assistance." In football, the term “assist” means an assist.
Read more about what is an “assist” in football
In a football match on the field there are 2 teams, each of which consists of 11 base players. To understand what an “assist” is, just look at any game in which at least one goal is scored. It is difficult to imagine that a player will be able to pass the opponent’s defense alone and hit the goal. He needs help, that is, an assistant. The striker’s technique is of great importance, but in order for the ball to be in the goal, it must be delivered as close to the opponent’s penalty area as possible for an accurate hit. It is such a last pass that is called an assist, and the player who made such a pass is an assistant.
As a rule, midfielders give assists (they are called playmakers). Their main task is to connect to the attack at the right time and deliver the ball to the attackers. It doesn’t matter if the pass was given only a few meters or a canopy was made from the other half of the field. The main thing is that the player who received the ball scores it in the net.
At first glance, it might seem like a snap, but in practice, accurate transmission at the right time is more important than a closing strike. Therefore, a good assistant is appreciated in any team and in the transfer market.
Football statistics take into account not only goals, but also assists. To compile the ratings of athletes, as a rule, the “goal + pass” system is used. This indicator is the main to determine the usefulness of any player.
Rules for the determination of assistants (assists)
The basic rule arising from the definition is that the author of the assist is the player, after the transfer of which a goal was scored. But, in addition to this rule, there are others:
- Assist cannot be counted if any of the opponent's players by touch significantly changes the path of the ball. The final decision in this case rests with the special committee. An exception to this rule is finishing.
- If the player to whom the pass was given interrupted the control of the ball and then scored a goal, the assist will also not be counted.
- In leading European tournaments a goal pass is considered a earned penalty if it has been realized. This rule has an important nuance: an assist is recorded on the player’s account only if there was a foul and a failure of a promising attack. If a penalty was awarded after a hand game in the penalty area, the assist is not counted.
- If the same player has earned and scored a penalty, the goal pass is not counted to anyone.
- When an own goal is scored in a match, he may also have an assistant. This is the player of the attacking team who touched the ball last before an own goal. In the case when the ball touched the goal frame, the assist is not considered.
TOP 5 players with the most assists in UEFA Champions League history
Champions League is the most prestigious club football tournament. Each goal scored is the result of teamwork. The effectiveness of any team depends on how good its playmakers are.
- On the 5th place Zlatan Ibrahimovic - 22 assists.
An outstanding Swedish footballer is the only player who played in the Champions League with 7 different teams and won 13 titles in four different countries. In this tournament, Ibrahimovic not only hit the opponents' goal 48 times, but also gave 22 assists.
- 4th place: Mesut Ozil - 22.
German attacking midfielder, also playing in the winger position on both flanks. Speaking for teams such as Real Madrid and Arsenal, Mesut Ă–zil chalked up 22 assists.
For his creative abilities and high skill as a playmaker, Ozil received the nickname “King of Assists” from the media.
- in 3rd place, Lionel Messi - 26.
Messi is rightfully considered one of the greatest players in football. He scored 100 goals in the Champions League and won four times. But even a master like Lionel Messi gives assists to other players. 26 assists have been recorded in his name.
- Honorable 2nd place at Ryan Giggs - 30.
Giggs is the most titled player in the history of British football. He played 141 matches in the Champions League and won twice (1999 and 2008). After giving 30 assists in the tournament, Giggs took second place in the list of the most productive players in the history of the tournament.
- And the top of the list is Cristiano Ronaldo - 34.
Portuguese superstar ranks first in the ranking. He scored 120 goals in the Champions League in 153 games. Sometimes Ronaldo is called a selfish player, however, he scored 34 assists.
The best assistants of the Russian football championships
There are also quite talented players in Russian football. As a rule, the names of the top scorers are heard, but do not forget those who actually create goals.
- 5th place: Egor Titov - 84 assists.
Egor Titov ended his career in 2008, having been noted in such clubs as Khimki and Spartak. He managed to open the entire defense with one exact pass counter-clockwise and for 336 matches to give 84 passes, which led to a goal.
- 4th place: Andrey Tikhonov - 92.
During a performance for Moscow, Spartak played on the left flank of midfield, in the first seasons, took the position of striker. Over 346 matches recorded in his name 92 assists.
- 3rd place: Miguel Danny - 93.
One of the best legionnaires in the Russian football championships. Playing as an attacking midfielder, he was able to give 93 team passes to his teammates.
- In second place, Andrei Arshavin - 102.
One of the brightest and most famous players in domestic football. Not only scored a lot of goals himself, but also gave more than a hundred aggravating assists, which ended in goals.
- The list is headed by Dmitry Loskov - 155 assists.
The leader in the number of assistants in Russian football is by a wide margin Dmitry Zoskov. He achieved success speaking for the Moscow “Locomotive” in the position of midfielder. Four times he was recognized as the best assistant to the championship of Russia (2002-2004, 2006).
Assistants at the 2018 World Cup
This year Russia hosted the main football tournament - the World Cup, where the best national teams played the main trophy. In addition to the authors of goals scored, it is impossible not to mention the best assistants of the tournament. They were Victor Klasson (Sweden), Mario Mandzhukich (Croatia) and Antoine Griezmann (France). Each designed 3 assists.
Basketball Assist
What is “assist” in sports can be explained by the example of basketball.
The essence of the term is the same as in football. To fix the assist, it is important that the attacking player immediately throws the ball into the basket. If the player who received the pass first lost and then returned the ball, the assist is not counted. In fact, the ball was received in the fight against an opponent, and not from a partner.
Assists are not recorded for free throws, individual passes or when the ball was received from an opponent before a successful throw.
Hockey Assist
Finding out what “assist” is in hockey is a bit more complicated.
Two players who touch the puck before the goal author can be the authors of the assist. The only condition is that the hockey player of the opposite team does not own these touches and the effective throw. A rebound from a player is not considered possession.
It can be summarized that in any team sport individual skill is not enough. In order for the ball to be in the goal as a result, a high-quality last gear is needed - an assist. The description of any tournament necessarily includes both goal authors and assistants.