Author(s): TAMURA, T., NAMIKI, N.2, FUKUSHI, N.3, Institution: KYOTO SANGYO UNIVERSITY, Country: JAPAN, Abstract-ID: 920

INTRODUCTION:
Game analysis is important because it has a substantial impact on team victory. In recent years, game analyses using video images and statistics have been conducted for various ages and levels. Almost all professional soccer clubs have staff members (analysts) who specialise in game analysis. We conducted an interview survey with analysts at professional soccer clubs to elucidate the process of game analysis.
METHODS:
The participants included five members of a Japanese professional soccer club (the J-League). The survey was conducted using one (interviewee) versus two (interviewers) semi-structured, in-depth, open-ended interviews. Five core questions were prepared for the interviews, such as the team’s role in game analysis, among others. Thematic analysis methods were used, and finally, comparisons and integration were conducted. Meaningful responses were converted into text, and texts sharing similar meanings were grouped into subcategories. Small categories with high affinity were grouped into medium categories. Furthermore, medium categories were grouped into large categories. Finally, large or medium categories that were deemed to be related were spatially arranged.
RESULTS:
Five of the participants were coaches and analysts charged with analysing opponents, developing countermeasures, and proposing strategies. Based on their "background as analysts”, they played the role of analysts in the following order: "data collection”, "preparation for game analysis”, "game analysis”, "sharing with coaches and staff”, and "sharing with players. In "data collection”, preparation began about 2 weeks prior to kickoff, and involved reviewing video footage of about five opponents games. Additionally, they checked interviews with the coach and social networking services, and made predictions about the players who would play in the game as part of the "preparation for game analysis. In "game analysis”, they analysed the game based on their own teams game model, and checked the overall picture of the game as well as the details. Numerical data were used only to understand the overall picture, and no analyst actively utilised it. In the "sharing with the coach and staff" section, the data intended for player presentation was determined, and in the "sharing with the players" section, the data was conveyed in a manner that positively framed the players’ perception and made it straightforward for them to comprehend and relate to their training.
CONCLUSION:
In Japan, analysts often work concurrently with coaches and their analyses focus on game footage. Their responsibilities include match analysis; specifically requiring the capability to analyse video footage aligned with the coachs game model. Moreover, effective communication skills were essential for conveying the analysis appropriately to the coach and players. Additionally, only few clubs and staff members were employing numerical data, attributing this to a lack of knowledge on how to effectively use the generated data.