Data and Analytics is changing football at a rapid pace. With the advancement of Data Analytics capabilities various facets of the game is getting a relook. Data and Analytics has helped in quantifiably studying the game which was often look at from an emotional point of view.
Following are some of the aspects of football that are getting altered by D&A
Tactics
D&A has revolutionised tactics in football. Ever wonder why the corners are taken short? Or why do managers insist on playing from the back? Well the answer is D&A. D&A has shown that corners do not result in goals as often as our intuition suggests. It is also a way of giving away possession and becoming vulnerable to counter attacks. Similarly, a goalkeeper launching the ball to mid field from a goal kick means that there is 50% chances of possessing the ball for both teams. In the meantime, should the team hold a defending posture or an attacking one. Should the attackers be on the shoulder of the defenders or drop deeper. Such quandaries were solved with the help of D&A which showed that passing from back meant better possession, also the team would know which shape to take depending on the ball position.
So the next time you are enjoying you football, look for the underlying patterns of play. D&A would have surely had a say in them.
Preceptor Football 