Professional soccer practitioners’ perceptions of using performance analysis technology to monitor technical and tactical player characteristics within an academy environment.

McLaren-Towlson, Christopher; Toner, John; Kate Davidson, Tia

Abstract

This study aimed to identify professional soccer practitioners’ perceptions of the application of performance analysis technology within an academy. Secondary aims were to understand the importance that practitioners place on monitoring technical and tactical player characteristics, current practices, and barriers to implementing wearable technology. Utilising a mixed method design, forty-four professional soccer academy practitioners (Age= 32 ± 5.8; Years of experience= 8.5 ± 6.2) completed an online survey intended to examine present trends, professional practices, and perceptions regarding the monitoring of technical and tactical metrics. Frequency and percentages of responses for individual items were calculated. Subsequently, eleven participants who were directly involved with the monitoring of players were recruited to participate in a semi-structured interview. Interview data was transcribed and analysed using a combination of deductive and inductive approaches to identify key themes. The main findings across both phases of the study were that (1) technical and tactical metrics are monitored more frequently in matches (Technical: 89%; tactical: 91%) than training (Technical: 80%; Tactical 64%), predominantly due to time constraints and staffing numbers. Accordingly, practitioners believe that it would be beneficial to have an automated way of tracking technical (79%) and tactical (71%) metrics and would consider using a foot-mounted IMU to do so (technical (68%) and tactical (57%)). (2) Monitoring technical and tactical metrics is beneficial to assist with player development and to enrich feedback provision (3) Key stake holders, coaches and players should be informed of the relevance and rationale for monitoring. (4) For successful implementation and continued uptake, the information delivered needs to be both meaningful and easy to understand. Findings suggest that although participants appreciate the need to collect technical and tactical metrics, they are keen to ensure that wearable-derived data does not replace experiential and contextual knowledge. Accordingly, practitioners need to work closely with coaches to determine the contexts in which metrics may or may not prove useful.

Citation

McLaren-Towlson, C., Toner, J., & Kate Davidson, T. (2024). Professional soccer practitioners’ perceptions of using performance analysis technology to monitor technical and tactical player characteristics within an academy environment. [Data]

• Online Publication Date: Feb 21, 2024
• Publication Date: 2024
• Deposit Date: Oct 24, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 21, 2024
• Publisher: University of Hull
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4423771
• Type of Data: Anonymised survey results (spreadsheet)
• Collection Date: Mar 8, 2023
• Collection Method: The survey structure comprised 5 sections (Section 1: General information; Section 2: Technical metrics; Section 3: Tactical metrics; Section 4: Personal perspectives; Section 5: Conclusion of survey). These sections used a total of 40 closed-ended (e.g., Yes/No and Likert scale) questions which were included to assess practitioners’ opinions, attitudes, and behaviours, consequently enabling perceptions to be easily operationalised [37]. All information stated in section 1 of the survey corresponded directly to the respondents. To ensure that respondents were not identifiable, the information they provided was anonymised in the analysis process by assigning the response with a unique responded code. Sections 2-3 examined respondents’ perceptions of the current assessment of technical and tactical metrics during training and match-play within the sampled professional soccer academy. Section 4 assessed practitioners’ personal opinions on the importance and use of technical and tactical metrics. Lastly, Section 5 concluded the survey by requesting respondents to state their over-arching perceptions on the application of automated ways of measuring technical and tactical metrics and if they would consider using foot-mounted Inertial measurement units (IMUs).