Soccer match analysis - today also called "Match Analysis 3.0" - has changed a lot in recent years: Tactics and Strategy have always been very important in professional football. In the past, however, the coach still exclusively observed ball possession, successful passes or kilometers run by a soccer player. Today, on the other hand, so-called position data are analyzed instead. And this is exactly where suitable software can support on a video basis.
What is it about?
With this article we first want to explain important components or factors of soccer match analysis with the help of examples. After that, we would like to explain how match analysis software can support match observation. Then we will mention the importance of digitalization for the coach. Finally, we describe advantages of a soccer match analysis software and give a look into the future.
What aspects does the trainer analyze?
First of all, it is important to understand what the trainer has to pay attention to during an analysis. And this regardless whether with or without the support of a software. In principle, the coach observes the following aspects during the game analysis:
These aspects are important:
- The coach first analyzes the composition of the own team and develops a game system. Then the coach observes - in a certain time interval - his team as well as mistakes.
- Own players: An analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of individual players is followed by a team analysis and a future analysis. Subsequently, the individual player is analyzed in detail after a match.
- Training: Here, the expected efficiency of the exercises on individual players and team play a role. Motor components are also observed. Afterwards, the training is analyzed.
- When observing the opposing team, the coach focuses on the opponent's movements as well as units.
- Opposing players: Individual players are watched either in opponent scouting or on the transfer market.
- Match analysis: An upcoming match can be simulated (computer simulation) in advance. Statistics are included in the process. Afterwards, the trainer analyzes the completed game and the course.
- Aspect analysis: In this analysis, the trainer observes possible interactions. Afterwards, he analyzes their effects.
- Basic tactical and strategic means: Strategic ideas are evaluated.
- Within a match, the expert also observes the passing game, the possession, duels, goal closure, spaces (behavior on the offensive vs. defensive) and switching behavior (winning vs. losing the ball).
Last but not least: The qualitative game observation
Every game - whether defeat or win - should be analyzed after the game is over. After all, even a defeat can include good performances by the players. Such a match observation can be video-based ("qualitative match observation"). It uses statistics and video material to evaluate different categories.
What is positional data?
Position data can be described as uninterrupted location measurement, i.e. determination of the position of the players as well as the ball. They are a new way of evaluating performance and enable more accurate evaluation: for example, in conjunction with match analysis software.
What do you need soccer game analysis software for?
Game analysis software either makes use of numerous old recordings of soccer players or uses new recordings to analyze player data. Since the software uses video footage, it is also called video analysis software.
Already during the game, software can create detailed statistics about a match. A large number of the observations still have to be entered manually by the coaches (e.g. number of shots on goal, passes, fouls, etc.). Automated, on the other hand, the software can record the players' position data using modern camera systems.
With support from the software, experts can edit by content and gain new insights into interaction with the opposing team or tactical behavior. In addition, the software helps to improve scouting operations.
Will progressive digitization make experts unnecessary?
As we explained to you in the previous section, digitization - and with it Big Data - is also playing an increasingly important role in soccer: software delivers all the results you need based on positional data. It thus takes over the complete data analysis.
However, the expert is needed before and after a game or recording: The software analyzes the data. But the trainer must first enter those variables into the system that he considers relevant. Afterwards, he must interpret the data supplied by the computer, link them and adapt them to his specific requirements.
In this context, it is important to look for complex relationships (e.g., your own vs. the opposing team). And not to observe the moves of each individual (e.g. forward defense). The whole challenge is to filter out the correct facts from the large amount of data and present them in an understandable way.
What are the advantages of game analysis software?
The video analysis software can give the coach important information about the players' techniques and movements. With the information gained, training, debriefing as well as competition preparation can become more efficient. Players have the opportunity to perfect their processes.
Since it can be quite difficult to recognize certain information from the fast movements without support, a suitable software - frame by frame - offers an analysis tool. Training successes can be observed by playing videos synchronously side by side or on top of each other. The trainer can mark individual moves within a video to find them again.
Outlook
Die Fußball-Spielanalyse wird sich auch in den kommenden Jahren noch weiter wandeln. So werden Fußball-Videoanalysen mithilfe einer geeigneten Software nicht nur im Profifußball, sondern auch in den unteren Ligen genutzt werden. Eine geeignete Unterstützung kann beispielweise die Videoanalysesoftware fairplay 5 bieten. Diese ist insbesondere für Einsteiger – auch in den unteren Ligen – geeignet. Eine umfassendere Lösung steht mit utilius kiwano bereit, die sich v.a. an Fortgeschrittene richtet.
Bis die digitalisierte Spielanalyse im Fußball allerdings ohne größere Schwierigkeiten genutzt werden kann, müssen alle Beteiligten noch an einem besseren Verständnis sowie der richtigen Auswertung der Aufzeichnungen arbeiten. Daher besteht z.Z. ein immer größer werdender Bedarf an sog. „Spielanalyse-Experten“. Diese sind Experten im Umgang mit Daten und bereiten diese so auf, dass Trainer u.a. ihre Aufstellungen taktisch planen können.
Weitere Infos und passende Praxisbeispiele für Ihren sportlichen Alltag können Sie in unserem Praxisguide finden. Oder suchen Sie konkrete Anwendungsbeispiele für den Fußball. Dann schauen Sie in unser Whitepaper!
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