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
Introduction
• Performance analysis in
football – focus on specific
positional feedback
• (No specific GK analysts!)
• Youth development
(Elleray, 2011)
Player
Analyst
GK
Performance
Analyst
Coach
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
Data
recording
system
Observation
Movement
&
Technique
Filming
training
sessions
KPI
monitoring
Match
Views &
Feedback
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
Distribution
• Three elite youth goalkeepers
• Thematic content analysis highlighted
the success of the system
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.
Results
Movement
&
Technique
• 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)
Results
Basic Handling
Movement
&
Technique
Movement
&
Technique
Results
Set Position
Results
Jumping
(Crossing)
Movement
&
Technique
Results
Dive
Movement
&
Technique
Results
Dive
Movement
&
Technique
Results
Dive
Movement
&
Technique
Results
Dive
Movement
&
Technique
Variability of Practice
Movement
&
Technique
• 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
• 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
Results
Match
Views &
Feedback
• 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).
Results
Match
Views &
Feedback
• 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…….
Results
Match
Views &
Feedback
Results
Match
Views &
Feedback
• 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
Results
Match
Views &
Feedback
• 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
Results
Match
Views &
Feedback
• 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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