Creating a game model

By the end of this section, participants should be aware of the role performance analysis plays in creating a game model, the importance of clear communication between coaching staff and players, and how the game model identifies the most important data to be collected and reported.

For performance analysis to be purposeful, there must be a clear understanding of how a team wants to play the game and what they are trying to achieve. This is where the creation of a game model can inform training and game plans, identify key performance indicators to measure success, establish areas to include in a feedback model, and help identify individual player focus areas. 

According to David Aznar, manager at Athletic Club Bilbao:

"A good game model is about getting the job done with the people you've got," 

https://www.fifatrainingcentre.com/en/community/expert-knowledge/david-aznar-on-game-models.php

A game model is essentially working out a way to win with the team you have available, and ensuring everyone, both coaching and playing group, understand how that will be achieved.

"The intention is to create a shared understanding, across the coaching and playing group, of how the team want to play in certain moments of the game, combined with the collective decisions or actions they can take. All of which is underpinned by a shared language."

https://www.rugbycoachweekly.net/rugby-coaching/game-models-uncovered

The performance analyst can assist with developing a game model by:

• Providing statistical insight into the shape of the competition in which a team will be competing (what does ball-in-play look like? how many set pieces are there per match? how many breakdowns? etc.)
• Providing analysis on how the team and individuals performed in the past
• Highlighting both areas of strength and areas of concern
• Answering key questions from both coaches and strength & conditioning staff
• Working with coaches to determine what needs measuring and how it will be measured
• Creating a visual playbook and dictionary for both coaches and players to help define what the ideal game looks like, and the meaning of shared language used.