Individual Player Analysis

TLDR

This section contrasts random observation that captures highlights and lowlights with systematic tracking of every action, decision, and movement pattern for targeted players, establishing that players exhibit consistent behavioural patterns rather than having “good games” and “bad games,” with outcomes varying based on these underlying patterns.

Applies the 6W framework to individual player analysis by tracking technical actions (passing completion, receiving quality, dribbling success, shooting accuracy), tactical behaviours (positioning, decision-making, communication, pressing), and their interaction with teammates, opposition, game situations, and positional changes.

Establishes two systematic tracking methods: the complete player journey analysing every significant touch across three viewing sessions, and the 15-minute snapshot focusing on three five-minute periods representing opening performance, pre-half-time fatigue response, and late-game decision-making under pressure.

Categorises tracking into technical execution under pressure measuring success rates and consistency, tactical understanding examining positional discipline and game intelligence, and physical/mental application monitoring work rate and recovery patterns.

Progresses from video observation to development planning through strength recognition and reinforcement, weakness identification and improvement, and individual training session design that replicates match situations, culminating in structured feedback sessions that connect video evidence to specific training exercises and measurable improvement targets for personalised player development.

Why Most Player Analysis from Video Fails

Common approach: Watch match footage and note when a player does something good or bad

Professional approach: Systematically track every action, decision, and movement pattern for targeted players

The critical difference: Random observation captures highlights and lowlights. Systematic tracking reveals behavioural patterns that determine player development needs.

Here’s the truth most coaches won’t admit: You can’t develop a player if you don’t systematically understand their current patterns. Video tracking gives you that understanding.

The Player Tracking Revolution

What individual video tracking reveals:

• Decision-making patterns: Does the player consistently choose the right option?
• Positioning habits: Where does the player excel/struggle positionally?
• Technical consistency: Which skills are reliable under pressure?
• Physical capabilities: Speed, stamina, and physical involvement patterns
• Mental approach: How does the player respond to challenges/successes?

Professional insight: Players don’t have “good games” and “bad games.” They exhibit consistent patterns that sometimes yield good outcomes and sometimes result in poor outcomes.

Your job as an analyst: Identify the patterns so you can reinforce positive ones and modify problematic ones.

Applying Your 6W Framework to Individual Player Video Tracking

Use your systematic approach for focused player analysis:

WHAT - Specific Behaviours to Track

Technical Actions:

• Passing: Completion rate, direction preference, decision speed
• Receiving: First touch quality, body positioning, awareness
• Dribbling: Success rate, situation selection, risk assessment
• Shooting: Accuracy, power, situation recognition

Tactical Behaviours:

• Positioning: Zone adherence, movement timing, space occupation
• Decision-making: Option selection, timing, risk/reward balance
• Communication: Verbal and non-verbal leadership behaviours
• Pressing: Timing, intensity, coordination with teammates

6W Individual Tracking Template:

WHO - Individual vs Team Context

Track how the player affects and is affected by:

• Teammates: How do partnership combinations work?
• Opposition: Which opponents cause the most problems?
• Game situation: How does performance change with score/time?
• Position changes: Does the player adapt to different roles?

Professional Standard: Individual analysis without team context is incomplete. Always track how the player fits within team patterns.

Systematic Player Video Tracking Methods

Method 1: The Complete Player Journey

Tracking Process:

• Pre-match: Note player’s starting position and role expectations
• Every touch: Apply 6W framework to significant actions (not throw-ins/simple passes)
• Off-ball movement: Track positioning and movement patterns when not in possession
• Key moments: Focus extra attention on crucial game situations

Video Analysis Session Structure:

1. First viewing: Track all ball contacts and immediate outcomes
2. Second viewing: Focus on off-ball movement and positioning
3. Third viewing: Analyse decision-making patterns and consistency

Method 2: The 15-Minute Player Snapshot

For time-efficient analysis:

Select 3 x 5-minute periods from match footage:

• Minutes 1-5: Opening period behaviour patterns
• Minutes 35-40: Pre-half-time performance under fatigue
• Minutes 75-80: Late-game performance and decision-making

6W Application to each period: Track 2-3 significant actions per period using your systematic framework.

Video Tracking Categories

Category 1: Technical Execution Under Pressure

What to track in the video:

• Success rate: How often does the player execute skills successfully?
• Pressure response: How does the technique change under opponent pressure?
• Consistency: Are technical skills reliable throughout the match?

Systematic Observation:

Category 2: Tactical Understanding

Video Analysis Focus:

• Positional discipline: Does the player maintain role responsibilities?
• Tactical flexibility: Can the player adapt to changing game situations?
• Game intelligence: Does the player anticipate play developments?

Category 3: Physical and Mental Application

Track through video:

• Work rate: Intensity levels at different match periods
• Duelling: Success in physical contests (aerial, ground, 50/50s)
• Recovery: How quickly does the player bounce back from setbacks?

Player Development Video Analysis

From tracking to improvement planning:

Strength Recognition and Reinforcement

Video Analysis Example:

6W Pattern:

• WHAT - Crossing accuracy
• WHO - striker movement
• WHERE - right attacking third
• WHEN - Building attacks
• HOW - Early cross with pace
• OUTCOME - 4 scoring opportunities created

Development Plan: Continue using crossing strength, add variety in crossing positions

Weakness Identification and Improvement

Video Analysis Example:

6W Pattern:

• WHAT - Final third decision-making
• WHO - striker and wide players available
• WHERE - penalty area entries
• WHEN - Good scoring opportunities
• HOW - Rushed decisions, poor option selection
• OUTCOME - Waste scoring chances

Development Plan: Decision-making practice in final third scenarios

Individual Training Session Design from Video Analysis

Video Observation → Training Solution Process:

1. Step 1: Identify 3 specific patterns from video tracking
2. Step 2: Apply data-to-wisdom pyramid to each pattern
3. Step 3: Design training exercises that replicate video situations
4. Step 4: Create success measures based on video findings

Training Exercise Example:

Player Communication and Feedback from Video Analysis

Using video analysis for effective player development conversations:

The Feedback Session Structure

1. Positive Pattern Recognition (2-3 minutes) Show video examples of the player’s successful patterns:

“Look at this sequence where you received the pass, checked your shoulder, and found the overlapping run. This shows excellent awareness and decision-making.”

2. Development Opportunity Identification (3-4 minutes) Show video examples with a specific improvement focus:

“In these three situations, notice how you received with your back to goal. Let’s look at your first touch options and how we can practice this.”

3. Training Connection (1-2 minutes) Explain how the upcoming training will address video findings:

“Tomorrow we’ll practice receiving under pressure with specific first touch techniques based on what we’ve seen in the footage.”

Player Tracking Documentation

Video Analysis Record Template:

Player: _______________  Date: ___________

Strengths Identified: (3 specific patterns with video times)
Development Areas: (2 specific patterns with video times)
Training Focus: (Specific exercises based on video analysis)
Follow-up Analysis: (Date for next video tracking session)

Advanced Player Tracking Techniques

Comparative Analysis:

• Track the same player across multiple matches for consistency patterns
• Compare player performance in different positions/roles
• Analyse performance against different standards of opposition

Partnership Analysis:

• Track how the player performs with different teammates
• Identify most/least effective player combinations
• Analyse communication and understanding patterns

Situational Analysis:

• Performance when the team is winning/losing/drawing
• Performance in first/second half
• Performance under different weather/pitch conditions

Player Video Tracking Mastery Check

You’ve mastered individual player video tracking when:

• ✅ Players recognise and understand the patterns you identify from footage
• ✅ Your video analysis directly leads to improved individual training sessions
• ✅ You can predict player behaviours based on previous video analysis
• ✅ Other coaches reach similar conclusions about players after using your tracking methods
• ✅ Players show measurable improvement in areas identified through video tracking

Individual player video tracking transforms generic coaching into personalised development. Master this skill, and you accelerate every player’s improvement.

Part of the Learn How To Analyse A Match Course - Core Analysis Skill