The total distance a player moves the ball forward with their feet — a measure of ball-carrying ability and progressive dribbling.
Carry distance (also called progressive carrying distance) measures the total yards or metres a player has moved the ball forward on the dribble during a match or season. It captures the value of ball-carrying — the ability to advance the ball by running with it — which does not appear in passing statistics.
Carry distance is distinct from dribble success rate. A player can complete 100% of their dribbles but carry the ball laterally or backward, contributing nothing to progression. Carry distance specifically measures forward momentum — ball movement toward the opponent's goal.
Ball-carriers who advance the ball through pressure create advantages that pure passers do not. Carrying into space draws defenders out of position, creates passing lanes, and generates opportunities for other attackers. In tight, low-block situations where passing combinations are constrained, carry distance can be a more valuable creative contribution than assists or key passes.
Players with high carry distances per 90 tend to be box-to-box midfielders, progressive full-backs, and attacking midfielders who receive the ball in space and drive at defenders. Monitoring carry distance helps identify players providing attacking momentum that traditional statistics miss entirely.
Progressive Passes
Passes that move the ball significantly closer to the opponent's goal — a key indicator of a team's attacking play style.
Dribble Success Rate
The percentage of attempted take-ons (dribbles past an opponent) that a player completes successfully.
xA (Expected Assists)
A metric that measures the probability that a pass or cross will result in a goal, weighting each assist opportunity by the xG of the resulting shot.
xG (Expected Goals)
A metric that scores every shot by its probability of resulting in a goal, based on factors like shot location, angle, and assist type.
For informational and educational purposes only. Disclaimer
