There has been huge subjective and objective development in the realm of football analysis over the last few years which has left technical teams with a high volume of information.
For a few years now, this information has added value and made a difference when it comes to preparing for a match.
Getting to know your opponent is fundamental in designing training schedules and game plans.
Nowadays, the democratization of information, obtained either through our own resources or through external sources, means that anyone can access it. Because of this, key differences will now come from how we use this information and, above all, how we identify key info and data regarding the response to an opponent.
I understand that football is a sport for footballers and, because of that, the solutions which coaches implement must be seen through the filter of characteristics and capabilities each player has.
Accordingly, each analysis process must be based not only on the internal logic of the game and the organic structure of football tactics but, above all, on the knowledge of the footballer.
The graph on the left describes the four main bases of football analysis. These have been split into four main areas. “Space”, “Interaction”, “Time” and “Ball”.
The graph on the right describes the “Organic Structure of Football Tactics” split into various subcategories such as “Objectives” and “General and Specific Principles”.
My good friend and great analyst, Antonio Barea, once said to me, “every good process must start with the right QUESTION.”
I honestly believe that this is the key, knowing how to ask the right questions.
My friends at Nacsport asked me to write about how to implement a process of analysis at a club and this isn’t only one question, but many. The endgame is to identify the needs of the people (technicians) that we want to help.
Determining what we need, why we need it, how to do it, who it is targeting, how much time is needed to make the report… This is the starting point for producing information which is meaningful. For developing something which is solid and with continuity and not ephemeral. Anything which doesn’t meet the criteria should be abolished or abandoned.
In order to use information effectively, it essential to organize it properly. Categorize, standardize and unify the terminology. This is necessary when several people are involved in the analysis process.
“The Importance of Organizing Information”. Collect and Obtain Data – Prepare Data – Process Data – Analyze Data – Interpret Data
There are different starting points in the analysis process. At the subjective level (video) or objective level (data), depending on your resources.
A graph describing the process of analysis from either a subjective or objective view point and how to obtain that data, either from internal or external sources.
Whenever we arrive at a new club, we try to get to know the people who work in the area of analysis, what they do and how they do it. That’s if there is an analysis department, of course.
From there, we evaluate how we intend to develop this area and whether we can implement this with our own resources or need to look for an external source. Whatever the choice, we must be aware of the different demands the decision implies.
In summary, if we choose to use our own resources, we will require technology and manpower. If we outsource, we should be aware of and adapt to how each company provides their data and the formats they use. There is also the possibility of merging these two methods.
Photo showing the use of both external and internal analysis combined. In this case, data taken from Opta in XML format is imported to Nacsport and processed for analysis.
Regardless of the origin and how it’s obtained, we must be mindful of adapting the information into something which is meaningful, understandable and useful. Can it answer the question or questions we have already identified?
The graph on the left shows what Mr. Mañas analyses. It includes “Competitive Matches”, “Training Sessions” and “Analysis of Opponents.
The Picture on right shows the set-up of Categories and Descriptors Mr. Mañas uses for internal analysis with Nacsport.
