Concerning all American sports; ice hockey, baseball, American football, basketball;
Is the team playing in its home stadium thought to have an advantage over the visitors?If so are there figures to support this belief? Do coaches of visiting teams go to play more defensively away from home than at home? Does the visiting coach adjust his tactics or strategy for these away games? ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 03-21-04, 07:00 PM IndigoFlavours I don't know any numbers but here's my opinion anyway.
When a team is playing at home, they're playing in the place that they have practiced in a thousand times. They're more comfortable with the whole layout and everything. Another thing is that a team's greatest supporters are from the area. When they travel it is reasonable to believe that they have less supporters watching the game than supporters for the other team. Being at home with their loyal fans might boost morale. Being cheered on gives many an adrenaline rush.
It's all in the mind, in my opinion.
03-21-04, 08:21 PM dogspit NFL : Home teams for the 2003 season won 61.3 % of their games. Source
Since 1990 NBA teams have had a 61.2% winning percentage at home. Source
In Major League Baseball home teams have historically won 54% of their games. Not a huge advantage, and one which decreases in the post-season. Source
In NHL, since mid-1990's, the home team's winning percentage has hovered between 53 & 55% (Lower in post-season).
I did not look for any secondary sources for the info I referenced, but it does seem that with the exception of the NBA, the home team advantage is not huge. Perhaps this is because of the intimacy of many of the arenas and proximity of the fans.
03-21-04, 09:36 PM Tree I've read that home advantage may NOT be an advantage at all.
The home team feels pressured to win because of the boisterous fans! This may cause lots of stress and preformance may be jeopardized. I have to admit, there certainly can be a lot of pressure in that scenario!
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