1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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)

9. Distribution
Results

10. Distribution
Results

11. Distribution
Results

12. 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.

13. 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)

14. Movement & Technique
Results
Basic Handling

15. Movement & Technique
Results
Set Position

16. Movement & Technique
Results
Jumping (Crossing)

17. Movement & Technique
Results
Dive

18. Movement & Technique
Results
Dive

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

20. 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

21. 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?

22. 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

23. 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).

24. 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…….

25. Match Views & Feedback
Results

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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

29. 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.

30. 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

31. 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), p
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

32. Thank you very much for your attention!
Thank you very much for your attention!
Please take a card
Any questions?