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Football is more than just a game on the pitch - it's a science that is constantly evolving. The rapid development of technology has fundamentally changed the way teams train, analyse and prepare for matches. At the forefront of this revolution is video analysis - a tool that allows every movement, every tactic and every detail of a game to be captured and analysed. But how exactly is video analysis changing football training? How are top clubs using this technology to improve their players and optimise their strategies? In this in-depth look, we reveal the secret mechanisms of video analytics, discuss its role in modern football and show how it is revolutionising performance on the pitch. Prepare to discover the invisible threads that guide modern football teams to success and redefine the way games are analysed and played.
Video analysis is an indispensable tool in match preparation. Coaches and analysts use match videos to study both their own team's performance and that of their opponents. Detailed analyses can be used to identify weaknesses in the opponent's build-up play and develop appropriate training strategies. For example, analysing the opponent allows certain recurring moves to be identified, which the coach can use to implement specific defensive drills in training.
Video analysis makes it possible to precisely assess the individual performance of players. By recording and analysing training matches, coaches can provide targeted feedback based on visual evidence. This helps players to visualise specific situations and their own actions and to understand what they can specifically improve. For example, a midfielder's positional play can be analysed to improve the efficiency of their runs and decision making under pressure.
Another important aspect of video analysis in training is the ability to monitor the long-term development and progress of players. Through regular video analyses, the coach can track a player's development over the course of the season and adjust training plans to ensure that each player achieves their personal and team goals.
To effectively integrate video analysis into everyday training, many clubs use special software and mobile applications like for example zone14 that allow coaches and players to access analyses and feedback directly on the training pitch. These tools often also offer the opportunity to repeat and discuss certain match scenes directly on the pitch, which significantly improves the players' ability to learn and adapt.
Video analysis plays a crucial role in improving players' technical skills. Coaches can use training recordings to analyse players' technique when receiving the ball, passing or shooting. Using slow motion and zoom functions, it is possible to recognise exactly how a player hits the ball or which foot position he adopts when receiving the ball. Such analyses lead to targeted feedback that helps to correct technical weaknesses.
In tactics training, video analyses are used to improve the players' understanding of moves and formations. Coaches can pick out specific sequences of play to discuss the positioning and movement behaviour of the players. This is particularly useful for improving the effectiveness of pressing situations, block defence or switching from defence to attack. Players can better understand how their actions affect the team game through visualisation.
Standard situations such as free kicks, corners and penalties are often decisive for the game. Video analysis helps to assess the effectiveness of execution and defensive work in these situations. By analysing past matches or training sessions, the coach can give specific instructions on how the players can improve their positioning and running routes in order to be more effective in set-piece situations.
Video analysis enables individualised coaching of players through detailed observation of their performance. For example, the analysis can show how well a striker overcomes the offside trap or how a midfielder deals with pressure situations. Such individual analyses are crucial for creating customised training plans that are tailored to the specific needs of the players.
After an injury, a gradual return to regular training is crucial. Video analysis can help monitor and analyse the player's movements to ensure there are no unfavourable patterns or asymmetries that could encourage re-injury. Visually reviewing a player's progress in real time is an essential tool for medical teams and coaches.
AI significantly expands the possibilities of traditional video analysis. Those systems are able to analyse large amounts of video data much faster than human analysts ever could. They are able to automatically recognise and categorise certain player movements, ball positions and even the posture of players. Such systems not only help to measure player performance, but also to create predictive analyses for future matches.
Tracking AI can replace additional hardware such as GPS trackers, simplifying data collection and ensuring players' performance is not affected by external devices. This technology enables professional insights and objective feedback, improving tactical execution and communication within the team. zone14 STATS is able to capture data such as distances, sprints and speeds directly from the pitch. The comparability of the data enables a new dimension of coaching, improves the quality of the coaching team's decisions and increases the motivation of the players.
With zone14 LIVE, important moments during the game can be captured and tagged in real time, so that instant summaries can be created and nothing is missed. The tags can be customised, which significantly reduces post-match analysis time as the tagged events can be retrieved immediately, rather than having to re-watch the entire game. In addition, all tagged events can be summarised in playlists to get a clear overview of the most important moments and to compare current match scenarios with past ones.
zone14 REPLAY offers a user-friendly video analysis platform that has been specially developed by coaches for coaches. The solution is used worldwide by analysts in various football leagues, from professional to amateur football. It aims to save time and costs while providing efficient and professional analysis options. Videos can be uploaded and saved to the cloud with just a few clicks. Users have the option of customising their tagging board, organising drawings and clips, saving them in playlists, downloading them or sharing them via WhatsApp.
The technology behind video analysis and artificial intelligence is developing rapidly. In the coming years, we could see even more intelligent systems that can provide even more accurate analyses in real time. These developments could fundamentally change the way coaches and players play football.
FC Barcelona is known for its ‘La Masia’ academy and its unique Tiki-Taka system of play. Video analysis is used intensively to teach the players the principles of passing, ball control and spatial awareness. Analysing training and match videos allows coaches to provide individual feedback and highlight specific areas for improvement, which supports the precise execution of the Tiki-Taka style.
Under coach Jürgen Klopp, Liverpool FC have developed specific training sessions focussing on set pieces. Video analysis is used to assess the execution of free kicks and corner kicks both in training and in matches. In addition, the technical team analyses the opponent's style of play in order to identify weaknesses in the opponent's defence in set-piece situations, which are then incorporated into the pre-match tactical briefing.
Under Pep Guardiola, Manchester City have utilised video analysis to perfect the spatial awareness and positioning of players. By analysing player positions in detail during training and matches, the coach can make adjustments to improve the possession game and help players use and create space more effectively.
The integration of video analysis into football training has fundamentally changed training methods and match preparation. This technology allows coaches and analysts to scrutinise every element of the game with unprecedented accuracy and depth. From individual performance assessment to strategic match preparation, video analysis is a powerful tool to maximise strengths and minimise weaknesses.
Through detailed analysis of player movements, tactical formations and opponent strategies, coaches can develop bespoke training programmes tailored to the exact needs of their teams and individual players. This personalised approach not only promotes the development of each player's technical skills and tactical understanding, but also improves the dynamics and performance of the team as a whole.
Overall, video analytics has the potential to permanently change the landscape of professional football by providing an in-depth understanding of all aspects of the game and giving coaches and players the tools to compete and triumph at the highest level.
