Opposition Analysis - Key Points

Initial information
  • Key offensive & defensive objective/mentality of opposition
  • Physical and mental state after recent games
  • Injuries & suspensions
  • Previous games against [if possible] this team in home & away games
  • Goals/objectives for our players to prevent opposition strengths or exploit weaknesses


Diagram of the teams model of play, similar to this one below:



Offensive organisation
  • Key objectives and mentality
  • Team dynamics & systems used
  • Phases 1-4 analysis - including annotated images and video
  • Patterns in all 4 phases
  • Changes in rhythm
  • Strengths and weaknesses of the team
  • Individual player information & relevant statistical analysis


Defensive organisation
  • Key objectives and mentality
  • Analysis on how they defend when the opposition is in each phase [phases 1-4] - including annotated images and video
  • Marking and pressing patterns in all 4 phases
  • Pressing triggers
  • Control of zones/free zones
  • Strengths and weaknesses of the team
  • Individual player information & relevant statistical analysis


Offensive transitions
  • Key objectives and mentality
  • What reaction occurs when they regain the ball from the opponent in all 4 phases of the opponents build up - including annotated images and video
  • Strengths and weaknesses of transitions
  • Individual player information & relevant statistical analysis
  • Transitions from set plays


Defensive transitions
  • Key objectives and mentality
  • What reaction occurs when they regain the ball from the opponent in all 4 phases of the opponents build up - including annotated images and video
  • Strengths and weaknesses of transitions
  • Individual player information & relevant statistical analysis
  • Transitions from set plays


Set plays
  • Offensive patterns from: corners, free kicks, throw ins and penalties
  • Defensive marking patterns from: corners, free kicks, throw ins and penalties
  • Strengths and weaknesses
  • Information and statistics on players relevant for this area


Specific information for our players
  • Relevant information for players - information should be presented in a way that suits the player best [such as what time of learner they are - video, images, text or a mixture].
  • Not all players need or benefit from this information, so it’s important that only those that want or can use it to benefit from these specific instructions get it.

Extra notes

Offensive organisation phases
  • Phase 1 - construction from defence
  • Phase 2 - preparation in midfield
  • Phase 3 - creation
  • Phase 4 - finishing

Defensive organisation phases
  • Phase 1 - organisation and mentality when opposition is in phase 1 of their offensive organisation
  • Phase 2 - organisation and mentality when opposition is in phase 2 of their offensive organisation
  • Phase 3 - organisation and mentality when opposition is in phase 3 of their offensive organisation
  • Phase 4 - organisation and mentality when opposition is in phase 4 of their offensive organisation

Offensive transition phases
  • Phase 1 - reaction/what the team look to do when regaining the ball from the opposition - when the opposition is in phase 1 of their offensive organisation
  • Phase 2 - reaction/what the team look to do when regaining the ball from the opposition - when the opposition is in phase 2 of their offensive organisation
  • Phase 3 - reaction/what the team look to do when regaining the ball from the opposition - when the opposition is in phase 3 of their offensive organisation
  • Phase 4 - reaction/what the team look to do when regaining the ball from the opposition - when the opposition is in phase 4 of their offensive organisation

Defensive transition phases
  • Phase 1 - reaction/re-organisation when the team lose the ball in phase 1 of their offensive organisation
  • Phase 2 - reaction/re-organisation when the team lose the ball in phase 2 of their offensive organisation
  • Phase 3 - reaction/re-organisation when the team lose the ball in phase 3 of their offensive organisation
  • Phase 4 - reaction/re-organisation when the team lose the ball in phase 4 of their offensive organisation

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