Putting the player first: A method to analyse and develop expert players performance in professional soccer

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Performance Analysis
• Soccer Coaching

Background:

• Traditional performance analysis often overlooks the player's subjective experience.
• Enhancing expert performance requires methods that integrate individual perspectives.
• Professional soccer demands sophisticated, player-focused analytical tools.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and evaluate a player-centred performance analysis method for professional soccer.
• To explore expert players' experiences with a novel performance analysis methodology.
• To determine the effectiveness of a player-centred approach in enhancing soccer performance.

Main Methods:

• A player-centred performance analysis method was developed and applied.
• Data collection involved the application of the method and unstructured interviews.
• The study sample comprised thirty professional soccer players from three teams.
• An interpretive data analysis approach was employed.

Main Results:

• The player-centred method foregrounds the player's intrinsic experience.
• Analysis and interpretation processes place the player at the centre.
• Findings highlight advancements in understanding collective expert player performance.
• The method potentially increases opportunities for sustained learning.

Conclusions:

• A player-centred approach is an effective mechanism for enhancing expert soccer players' performance.
• This methodology offers deeper insights into player dynamics and development.
• Integrating player experience is crucial for advancing performance analysis in professional soccer.