Saturday afternoon. The final whistle blows. You have just watched 90 minutes of your team’s football, and by Sunday morning, you remember the goals, the cards, and maybe that one brilliant save. But can you explain why those moments happened? Can you identify the patterns that led to success or failure?
If you are like most grassroots coaches, the answer is probably no.
This is the tragedy of modern football coaching - we watch hundreds of hours of football but learn remarkably little from it. We blame individual mistakes rather than understanding system breakdowns. We focus on effort instead of identifying improvable patterns.
The result? Training sessions that miss the mark, players who repeat the same errors, and matches that become missed learning opportunities.
But what if there was a better way?
The Problem with Traditional Match Watching
Most coaches approach match analysis the same way supporters do - emotionally invested in the result but blind to the process.
Surface-Level Observations
- “We defended poorly”
- “Need to be more clinical in front of goal”
- “Midfield was overrun”
- “Did not want it enough”
These observations feel accurate but provide zero actionable insight for improvement.
Crisis Management Mentality
Training becomes reactive:
- Lose? Practice defending
- Miss chances? Run shooting drills
- Poor passing? Passing squares
This approach treats symptoms rather than identifying root causes.
Individual Blame Culture
When analysis lacks depth, it is easy to blame individuals:
- “The centre-back should have cleared it”
- “The striker needs to be more clinical”
- “The midfield was not working hard enough”
This creates a blame culture that stunts development.
The 6W Framework: A Revolution in Match Analysis
After years of watching coaches struggle with match analysis, I developed the 6W Framework - a systematic approach that transforms how you understand football matches.
Instead of vague observations, the 6W Framework asks specific questions about every significant moment:
1. Who Made the Decision?
Identify the specific player and their role in the team structure. This is not about blame - it is about understanding decision-making patterns.
2. What Was the Outcome?
Document exactly what happened - pass completed, shot saved, tackle made, space created. Be factual, not judgmental.
3. Where Did It Happen?
Location matters. The same decision in different areas of the pitch has different risk/reward implications.
4. When in the Phase of Play?
Was this during build-up, final third approach, defensive transition, or sustained pressure? Context changes everything.
5. Why That Choice?
This is the crucial question. What information did the player have? What options were available? Why did they choose that action?
6. What Should Happen Next Time?
Based on your analysis, what would you want to see in similar situations? This directly informs your training focus.
Real-World Application
Example: The “Defensive Mistake”
Traditional Analysis: “Centre-back made a terrible pass that led to their goal”
6W Analysis:
- Who: Centre-back receiving ball from goalkeeper
- What: Attempted short pass to midfielder, intercepted
- Where: Our defensive third, 25 yards from goal
- When: Immediately after winning back possession
- Why: No obvious forward passing options, midfield did not create angles
- What Next: Practice building from the back with midfield movement
Training Implication: The session focuses on creating passing options rather than just passing technique.
Example: The “Missed Chance”
Traditional Analysis: “Striker should have scored that”
6W Analysis:
- Who: Striker receiving cross in penalty area
- What: Shot over the bar from 12 yards
- Where: Central position, 12 yards from goal
- When: During sustained attacking pressure
- Why: First touch took ball away from goal, rushed the finish
- What Next: Practice first touch preparation in box
Training Implication: Session works on receiving under pressure and shot preparation, not just shooting technique.
The Result
The 6W Framework has helped 1,200+ coaches move from watching football to understanding it. They plan better sessions, develop players more effectively, and see consistent improvement in match performance.
Stop wasting those 90 minutes of observation. Start turning every match into a learning opportunity.
Ready to revolutionise your match analysis? Join coaches in the Football Coaching Academy where we share systematic observation methods and training connections.
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