Soccer Performance Analyst Course

Lesson 1 • Data Types in Soccer Analysis

Distinguishes event data, tracking data, and qualitative observation. Students learn which data type answers which analytical question.

Lesson 2 • The Analyst's Role in Modern Soccer

Defines the performance analyst position within club hierarchies and coaching staffs. Connects role clarity to effective collaboration and output relevance.

Lesson 3 • Analytical Frameworks and Workflows

Outlines structured approaches to conducting analysis from question to presentation. Establishes repeatable workflows students apply in every subsequent chapter.

Lesson 4 • Introduction to Key Performance Indicators

Presents common KPIs used across professional clubs and explains how they are selected. Grounds students in measurable outcomes before advanced metrics.

Lesson 1 • Live and Post-Match Tagging

Covers real-time tagging during matches and retrospective coding from recordings. Students practice speed and accuracy under time pressure.

Lesson 2 • Building a Coding Structure

Teaches how to design a tagging taxonomy aligned to coaching priorities. A well-built coding structure accelerates clip retrieval and consistency.

Lesson 3 • Managing Video Libraries and Databases

Addresses file naming, folder structures, and metadata tagging for long-term retrieval. Organized libraries save time and protect institutional knowledge.

Lesson 4 • Clip Editing and Presentation Packages

Demonstrates how to compile, trim, and sequence clips into coaching presentations. Effective packages communicate insights without overwhelming viewers.

Lesson 1 • Probability and Expected Value Metrics

Introduces probability concepts underpinning expected goals and expected assists. Students understand model assumptions before applying outputs.

Lesson 2 • Descriptive Statistics in Soccer Context

Covers means, medians, distributions, and variance applied to match metrics. Provides the statistical baseline for all subsequent quantitative analysis.

Lesson 3 • Working with Spreadsheets and Data Tools

Builds practical skills in spreadsheet software for data cleaning, formulas, and pivot analysis. Bridges statistical concepts to everyday analyst workflows.

Lesson 4 • Correlation and Regression Analysis

Teaches how to identify relationships between variables and build simple predictive models. Students avoid common correlation-causation errors in soccer contexts.

Lesson 1 • Defensive Organization and Compactness

Examines block depth, defensive lines, and compactness metrics. Students quantify how teams restrict space and identify exploitable gaps.

Lesson 2 • Transition Analysis: Defense to Attack

Examines how teams exploit possession wins to launch attacks quickly. Students identify counter-attack patterns and direct play tendencies.

Lesson 3 • Offensive Structure and Build-Up Patterns

Analyzes how teams progress the ball from defense to attack through positional play. Students map build-up routes and identify preferred passing lanes.

Lesson 4 • Pressing Systems and Triggers

Covers high-press, mid-press, and counter-press structures with trigger identification. Students code pressing sequences and measure press success rates.

Lesson 5 • Transition Analysis: Attack to Defense

Focuses on the moments immediately after possession loss and how teams reorganize. Transition vulnerability is a critical insight for opponent preparation.

Lesson 1 • Cognitive and Decision-Making Analysis

Examines how analysts assess positioning, scanning, and decision speed from video. Cognitive indicators are increasingly valued in modern recruitment.

Lesson 2 • Physical and Athletic Performance Data

Introduces GPS and accelerometer outputs including distance, speed zones, and load. Students interpret physical data alongside tactical context.

Lesson 3 • Technical Skill Assessment via Video

Teaches systematic observation of passing, dribbling, shooting, and defensive actions. Structured observation reduces subjectivity in technical evaluation.

Lesson 4 • Player Role Definitions and Metrics

Maps positional roles to relevant KPIs and behavioral expectations. Role clarity ensures metrics are contextually appropriate for each player.

Lesson 1 • Data Visualization Principles for Soccer

Teaches chart selection, color theory, and layout principles for soccer data. Effective visualization is the bridge between analysis and coaching action.

Lesson 2 • Spatial Analysis and Pitch Control

Introduces pitch control models and space creation metrics derived from tracking data. Students interpret spatial dominance and identify tactical implications.

Lesson 3 • Advanced Possession and Passing Metrics

Covers progressive passing, ball progression metrics, and passing network analysis. Students move beyond basic pass completion to meaningful possession quality measures.

Lesson 4 • Defensive Metrics Beyond Tackles and Interceptions

Presents pressure success rates, defensive actions per possession, and off-ball positioning metrics. Expands defensive evaluation beyond traditional counting stats.

Lesson 1 • Analyzing Opponent Defensive Patterns

Identifies how opponents defend, press, and transition defensively. Reveals exploitable weaknesses for the team's attacking game plan.

Lesson 2 • Analyzing Opponent Offensive Patterns

Systematically examines how opponents create chances through build-up, combinations, and set pieces. Findings directly inform defensive preparation.

Lesson 3 • Producing the Pre-Match Report

Assembles all scouting findings into a structured pre-match document and video package. Reports must be concise, visual, and directly usable in team meetings.

Lesson 4 • Key Player Identification and Neutralization

Focuses analysis on opponent players who most influence match outcomes. Students produce individual opponent profiles for targeted preparation.

Lesson 1 • Throw-Ins and Indirect Set Pieces

Covers the underanalyzed area of throw-in routines and indirect free kicks. Students learn to identify patterns and design simple routines.

Lesson 2 • Importance and Prevalence of Set Pieces

Quantifies the goal contribution of set pieces in professional soccer. Establishes why dedicated set piece analysis is a competitive priority.

Lesson 3 • Attacking Corner and Free Kick Analysis

Examines delivery types, runner patterns, and blocking structures in attacking set pieces. Students code and categorize opponent attacking routines.

Lesson 4 • Designing and Testing Set Piece Routines

Guides students through creating new attacking routines based on opponent weaknesses. Routines are evaluated against defensive structures using spatial data.