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Match Analysis – Lab 6

Notational analysis provides an objective observation of performance, allowing coaches and

players to receive more reliable feedback. Watching performances in real-time can mean that

important moments are missed; therefore the use of video aided analysis during performances

allows greater amounts of accurate information to be stored. However, it has been debated

that notational analysis has regularly caused a reduction in the complex nature of

performance by it being presented in ways which are too descriptive, systematic and

unproblematic (Mackenzie & Cushion, 2013).

Key points of interest arising from data:

Spain had approximately double possession time overall in comparison to England,

with a ratio of 1:2.11 minutes (as seen in Figure 1).

Greater possession time by Spain could be due to less ball interceptions by England,

per minute of Spanish possession, with a ratio of 1:1.998 interceptions per minute (as

seen in Figure 3).

Figure 2 shows England having a greater loss of possession through the occurrence of

throw-ins and fouls, such as being offside and bad tackles, in comparison to Spain.

A suggestion to improve England’s performance is to work on maintaining possession

of the ball by adopting more short distance, controlled passing methods.

England can also prevent turnover of possession to Spain through greater interception

of the ball instead of tackling as, out of 8 tackles made by England, only 3 resulted in

a gain of possession and a quarter resulted in a free-kick being given.

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Figure 2: Loss of possession cause.

Ratio of 1:1.998

Figure 3: Average number of opposition interceptions per minute of possession.

Ratio of 1:2.11

Figure 1: Overall possession time (minutes).

Figure 2: Loss of possession cause.Figure 2: Loss of possession cause.

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Limitations

During this analysis some performance indicators were difficult to categorise, for example it

was hard to define whether uncontrolled/unintended interceptions of the ball counted as

turnovers, in terms of gaining possession, as possession was lost instantaneously. There was

also similar confusion regarding how to classify unsuccessful tackles, as they did not result in

any gain or loss of possession. A way in which to deal with the coding of events that have

various definitions is to match all codes for the performance against the ‘gold standard’

coding system, which consists of the most accurate coding definitions for notational analysis

(James, 2006). In order to maintain the reliability of this analysis, the markers were checked

through thoroughly by replaying the footage and amending any incorrect timestamps.

References

James, N., 2006. Notational analysis in soccer: past, present and future. International Journal

of Performance Analysis in Sport, 6(2), pp. 67-81.

Mackenzie, R. & Cushion, C., 2013. Performance analysis in football: A critical review and

implications for future research. Journal of Sports Sciences, 31(6), pp. 639-676.