Identifying and analysing game styles and factors influencing a team’s strategy in field hockey

Lord, Felicity; Pyne, David B.; Welvaert, Marijke; Mara, Jocelyn K

doi:10.1080/02640414.2022.2037839

Cited by 3 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…To condense highly detailed in-game event variables into a holistic game plan, clustering algorithms can be employed. Clustering algorithms, such as k-means clustering, factor analysis or self-organising maps, group games with similar patterns into clusters which represent different strategies occurring during a game [ 16 , 17 , 23 , 24 ]. These patterns are deemed game styles which are defined as the consistent strategy implemented by a team [ 25 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The code window used to analyse in-game events is displayed in Fig 3 . Refer to Lord et al, [ 23 ] for a detailed explanation of data capture procedures and variables. Code rows (and their associated labels) included all user-defined major game events; game actions (types and movement effects), stoppages (types and restart speeds), turnovers (types, pressures, and locations) and goal shots (outcomes, pressures, and locations).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Refer to Lord et al, [ 23 ] for a detailed explanation of chosen variables and data analysis methods. Normalised variables (calculated from their code row) included in the creation of game styles were:…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Capture, analyse, visualise: An exemplar of performance analysis in practice in field hockey

et al. 2022

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The goal of performance analysis is to capture the multitude of factors that affect sports strategy, and present them in an informative, interpretable, and accessible format. The aim of this study was to outline a performance analysis process in field hockey that captures, analyses and visualises strategy in layers of detail culminating in the creation of an RStudio Shiny application. Computerised notational analysis systems were developed to capture in-game events and ball tracking data of 74 matches from the Women’s Pro League 2019. Game styles were developed using k-means cluster analysis to reduce detailed in-game events into practical profiles to identify the attack types, game actions and tempo of a team’s strategy. Ball movement profiles were developed to identify the predictability (entropy) and direction (progression rates) of ball movements, and consequent distribution of possession in different attacking zones. The Shiny application, an interactive web-platform, links the information from simple game profiles with detailed game variables to understand each teams’ holistic game plan, how they are different, and how to exploit these differences. The process outlined can be applied to any team invasion sport to understand, develop and communicate successful strategies under different match situations.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Capture, analyse, visualise: An exemplar of performance analysis in practice in field hockey

et al. 2022

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“…Game styles are defined as the consistent attacking and defensive strategies implemented by a team [ 7 ]. Game styles have previously been developed in soccer, Australian Football, Rugby Union, and field hockey by studying ingame events and describing the game actions used, strength in attack types or speed of play [ 8 – 12 ]. For example, Lord et al, [ 12 ] identified game styles in international field hockey teams based on whether a team typically used passing or dribbling actions, were strong or poor in established and counter attacks, created high or low set pieces per game and employed a possession or direct tempo.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Game styles have previously been developed in soccer, Australian Football, Rugby Union, and field hockey by studying ingame events and describing the game actions used, strength in attack types or speed of play [ 8 – 12 ]. For example, Lord et al, [ 12 ] identified game styles in international field hockey teams based on whether a team typically used passing or dribbling actions, were strong or poor in established and counter attacks, created high or low set pieces per game and employed a possession or direct tempo. This analysis method identified ways a team was successful by focusing on what actions and events were occurring in a game in relation to the opposition.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predicting the unpredictable: analysing the entropy and spatial distribution of ball movement patterns in field hockey

Lord¹,

Pyne²,

Welvaert³

et al. 2023

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Analysing the ball movement patterns of team invasion sports provides practical insight into successful strategies by identifying how and where to move the ball to create goal scoring opportunities. The aim of this study was to analyse the entropy and spatial distribution of ball movement patterns in international field hockey teams. A notational analysis system was developed in SportsCode to analyse 131 matches (n = 57 men, n = 74 women) from the 2019 Pro League tournament. The start and end location of each ball movement and the outcome of each play was recorded. Calculated variables included game possession (%), entropy, possession per zone (%) and progression rates. Decision trees identified that higher circle possession and direct movements to goal from deep attack, and lower build attack and build defence entropy, were the strategies most likely to lead to goal shots. However, teams should be unpredictable when the opposition are organised to maintain possession and unbalance the defence. Match context only had small effects on ball movement strategies highlighting there is more than one way to be successful. Executing strategies that exploit these factors should lead to greater attacking opportunities and success. Analysing the dynamic, complexity of international hockey allows coaches to prepare specific strategies for individual teams.

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Technical performance differences amongst international netball teams at the Commonwealth Games 2022

Hersant,

Oates

2024

International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport

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Identifying and analysing game styles and factors influencing a team’s strategy in field hockey

Cited by 3 publications

References 27 publications

Capture, analyse, visualise: An exemplar of performance analysis in practice in field hockey

Capture, analyse, visualise: An exemplar of performance analysis in practice in field hockey

Predicting the unpredictable: analysing the entropy and spatial distribution of ball movement patterns in field hockey

Technical performance differences amongst international netball teams at the Commonwealth Games 2022

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