摘要：The aim of this study was to identify the specific football situations and immediate technical and tactical causes of injuries in training process and competition of elite Croatian football. The study was conducted on the sample of 175 players from seven football (soccer) clubs of the First Croatian Football Division at the beginning of the season 2010/2011 Croatian Championship. The subjects were tested before the start of regular practice by means of survey. The results showed that 40% off all injuries occur during autumn competitive period. Significantly more injuries were sustained due to exposure to training load (60%). The highest percentage of injuries was recorded in the phase of defence set (26%). According to the ball possession, the highest injury risk was recorded during immediate contact with the ball or fight for her possession. In 70% of all injuries, recorded injuring mechanism was the physical contact with an opponent. As prevention, implementation of training process should take place under conditions of controlled load in order to reduce the number of training caused injuries. The number of injuries caused by direct physical duel with an opponent is significantly higher than in Western European leagues, and indicate the need to raise the player body's hardiness and tactical maturity of team trainers.
