My name is Gonzalo Sánchez, an Everton Physical Trainer from Viña del Mar, Chile, where I work with a team that competes in the Vital Plan Vital Championship of the National Professional Football Association of Chile.
As a soccer coach, I use Dartfish in multiple ways: to analyze, to diagnose and to make informed decisions when working with high level players.
First, I would like to introduce the tagging methodology I use with Dartfish and the classification of the types of game events.
It’s important to use the assembly of the event panel, a clear typology of events, since it will be the vehicle that will lead us to an adequate analysis, based on our vision and/or philosophy of play. Its classification will be relevant and conditioned by aspects related to our game model and the equipment we analyze (an opponent) or the type of game we analyze (a match or practice).
Next, I would like to present a general classification and standardization, based on the game cycle:
- ATTACKING
- DEFENDING
- STOP BALL ACTIONS
ATTACKING
With this concept we refer to all situations in which the team to be analyzed is in possession of the ball. This concept can be classified in multiple ways based on the:
- Speed of the game
- Progression in the game
- Countryside area
- Patterns that are developed based on the above characteristics
- Extra aspects
As an example of the analysis panel assembly for this game cycle we will have:
- Game Start
- Organized Attack
- Fast Attack – Direct
- Counterattack
- Game Width
- Depth of Play
- Orientation Changes
- Side Centers
DEFENDING
Unlike the attack, we talk about all the situations in which the team to analyze is not in possession of the ball. This concept can be classified based on:
- Height of the defensive block (low, medium or high block)
- Intensity and/or movements after the loss of the ball
- Intensity and/or movements in the different blocks
- Zonal or individual defense
- Extra aspects
As an example of the analysis panel assembly for this game cycle we will have:
- General Pressure
- Pressure After Loss
- Zone and Folding Phase
- Defensive Transition
- Marking
STOP BALL ACTIONS
ABPs are those referring to all situations that include throw-ins, free throws and corner kicks. Unlike offensive and defensive actions, ABPs are easier to classify.
The aspects to take into account to perform the categorization of the ABP are:
| ABP Offense | ABP Defense |
|---|---|
| Type of Attack in ABP | Type of defense |
| Who enters to finish off (height, experience, aerial game, etc.) | Who defends (height, experience, air game, etc.) |
| Release Type | Type of marking |
| Space where they are located | Spaces where you defend yourself |
| Space where they finish | Volume of players defending |
| Player Tour | Areas where the launching comes from (in case of free kick or throw-in). |
| Second plays | |
| Pitcher | |
| Areas where launching takes place (in case of free kick or throw-in) |
