Andy Elleray and Gareth Jones University of Worcester, Worcester, UK Evaluation of a goalkeeping performance analysis support system as utilised in senior professional and elite youth level football: An applied perspective Andy Elleray and Gareth Jones University of Worcester, Worcester, UK

Me… Football Analysis: Cheltenham Town, Liverpool, Chelsea Coach: Cheltenham Town, Worcester City, Worcestershire FA Playing: Amateur/Semi Pro, 8 different Sports at University, Great Britain & England Blind Football (sighted goalkeeper) Academic Msc Sports Coaching, BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching Science, Diploma in Sports Management UEFA B + UEFA B Goalkeeping Licence ISPAS Accredited Level 6 analyst

GK Performance Analyst Introduction Performance analysis in football – focus on specific positional feedback (No specific GK analysts!) Youth development (Elleray, 2011) GK Performance Analyst Analyst Coach Player

Previous Research Dive technique analysis (Spratford et al., 2009); Performance characteristics (Bachi et al., 2007) Distribution tracking (Clemence et al., 2000) Lack of knowledge regarding the implementation of goalkeeping performance analysis systems – Youth level Aim - To evaluate applied goalkeeping specific performance analysis systems

Method 1 Performance analysis support strategies for goalkeepers that have been implemented at 3 professional clubs at both senior and youth levels (2 English Premiership Clubs ; 1 English League Two Club ). Trial and error of systems Interaction with experienced coaches Identification of three key areas for analysis comprehensive review where the final goalkeeper specific analysis system was determined.

Method 2 The final system focus: Distribution Movement & Technique Match Views & Feedback Data recording system Observation Filming training sessions KPI monitoring Stacking camera angles Specific Code windows Different feedback methods

Method – Evaluation - Results Fifteen semi-structured interviews were conducted at three professional clubs with the following personnel: Eight senior coaches along with four academy coaches Three elite youth goalkeepers Thematic content analysis highlighted the success of the system Distribution Movement & Technique Match Views & Feedback

Distribution Results Distribution: ‘Distribution analysis was great as it helped to highlight areas in which balls were being played in and our success rates. Being able to see how the goalkeeper used different distributions and where possession was retained was crucial’ (Senior GK coach, Club C)

Distribution Results

Distribution Results

Distribution Results

Distribution Results Time on the ball - % for each area – distribution action success, examples not shown Simplistic version – coaches appreciate both one sheet floating around See me at some point for how to calculate the raw data and for more statistics on different distribution actions and pitch areas.

Movement & Technique Results Movement & Technique: 'Being able to look in detail at goalkeeping techniques was extremely beneficial. Allowing the goalkeepers to review their own sessions to see how they were moving etc gave us a new perspective' (Youth & Intl player, Club A)

Movement & Technique Results Basic Handling

Movement & Technique Results Set Position

Movement & Technique Results Jumping (Crossing)

Movement & Technique Results Dive

Movement & Technique Results Dive

Results Dive Movement & Technique Power step – outside leg – not to collapse…enables for greater distance of dive.

Results Dive Movement & Technique Head and hands towards the ball – repetition at any early age up 11 years old for technique so this becomes habitual

Variability of Practice Movement & Technique Variability of Practice Watched hundreds of training sessions, matches, gym sessions!!! Goalkeeping is a 360 degree reaction position, not just reaction saves but responding to crosses, through balls, shots, defensive situations, starting attacks etc… Very rarely are 2 actions ever the same – obviously similarities but due to the nature of the game movements are always varied Need to practice ‘unorthodox’ actions – examples?

Variability of Practice Movement & Technique Variability of Practice Use/advocate quick powerful movements: Plyometrics Futsal, Basketball, Handball, Tennis, Badminton, Water Polo, Volleyball and Gaelic Football movements – similarities from all sports – Youth Level Powerful – Quick – Dynamic – Reaction – Agility Train in isolation/build into technical practices Based upon research and observations + Use in my own coaching

Match Views & Feedback Results Match Views & Feedback: 'Performance and video analysis for goalkeepers isn’t usually available so building this into a development plan was important. The match views opened up a new way to review matches' (Head Academy GK coach, Club B).

Match Views & Feedback Results Traditional ‘TV’ view gives limited feedback opportunities i.e. usually when the GK is directly involved in play Previous research dictated that GKs aren’t involved in play 85% of the match (based upon 1 season – don’t need statistics to realise this) Wanted to investigate ‘off the ball’ involvement Have tried filming from behind the goal for GK’s view Came up with this…….

Match Views & Feedback Results

Results Opens up previously neglected areas: Match Views & Feedback Results Opens up previously neglected areas: Positioning without the ball Support play Communication Starting positions ‘Coding’ specific to GKs – when matches are reviewed the individual clips are broken down into the above areas along with shots, crosses, set plays, counter attacks and distribution

Match Views & Feedback Results GK would look back at their coded match areas with the coach on a 1 to 1 basis My role as analyst is to prepare selected clips and whatever information the coach wants Coach would feedback their points from the game. A very interactive process that gets the GK thinking about their whole performance Feedback feeds into their development plans

Match Views & Feedback Results The GKs work mostly on their own performance, but also the below model can be applied: Self – own performances Peers – others in their club/age group to start discussion and questions Ideal – Pro GKs – Match of the Day Saves of the week, YouTube Videos, Question sheets and performance profiles

Conclusion It is evident that methods are continually being developed to further enhance GK performance at the elite level although the gap between research and practice still needs further bridging. The GK specific performance analysis system developed has been well received by players and coaches and been demonstrated to be an extremely useful tool in monitoring specific GK performance.

The Future! Further evaluation of techniques Biomechanical analysis of former England elite goalkeeper Decision Making analysis Varied training practices Consolidation of existing practice Further research projects – International perspectives…. ‘Scientific Approaches to Goalkeeping in Football’ – out this Autumn

References Bachi, N., Baron, R., Calderon, M.F.J., Di Salvo, V & Pigozzi, F. (2007). Performance Characteristics According to Playing Position in Elite Soccer. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 28, (3), p222-227. Clemence, R, Thomas, M, Grant & A, Williams, A. (2000). Goalkeeper Distribution Patterns in the Premier League. FA Insight. 3, (2), p23-25. Elleray, A. (2011). A case study comparing current goalkeeper coaching structures within professional youth football systems in England , Unpublished MSc manuscript. University of Worcester Spratford, A, Mellifont, R & Burkett, B. (2009).The influence of dive direction on the movement characteristics for elite football goalkeepers. Sports Biomechanics, 8, (3), p235–244

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