Is it worth the effort? Understanding and contextualizing physical metrics in soccer
This work addresses the need for better integration of physical and tactical metrics in soccer analytics, offering practical tools for analysts, coaches, and other staff, though it appears incremental in combining existing methods.
The paper tackles the problem of linking physical performance to value generation in soccer by contextualizing player runs and assessing their impact using a possession-value model, resulting in a framework that provides insights for various club practitioners.
We present a framework that gives a deep insight into the link between physical and technical-tactical aspects of soccer and it allows associating physical performance with value generation thanks to a top-down approach. First, we estimate physical indicators from tracking data. Then, we contextualize each player's run to understand better the purpose and circumstances in which it is done, adding a new dimension to the creation of team and player profiles. Finally, we assess the value-added by off-ball high-intensity runs by linking with a possession-value model. This novel approach allows answering practical questions from very different profiles of practitioners within a soccer club, from analysts, coaches, and scouts to physical coaches and readaptation physiotherapists.