A shot in soccer can be a slow roller by an under-6 player that somehow finds the back of the pint-sized net used for the smallest players. Or, it can be a sizzling shot taken by a pro like Inter Milan’s Dejan Stankovic, who volleyed the ball over a rival keeper from midfield in a 2011 Champions League match in Italy. Immediately called “the goal of the season” by expert commentators, Stankovic’s rocket showed the value of being prepared to shoot just 25 seconds into a high-stakes game.

Definition

A shot in soccer is a ball that is kicked or headed towards the goal. The NCAA defines a shot in Section 3 of its Official Soccer Statistics Rules as an attempt taken with the intent of scoring that is directed toward the goal. This excludes crosses, or long kicks typically taken from the side of the field near the goal line that feed the ball into the penalty area in front of the goalkeeper.  A goalkeeper who grabs a cross does not receive credit for a save. An exception to this would be a cross that the goalie stops that would have otherwise entered the goal.

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Analysis

Notational analysis is essentially a means of recording events so that there is an accurate and objective record of what happened in a sports game.  A record of what actually took place.  Spectators and parents will often see the game differently.  For the fan that aspect of subjectivity often makes following the sport as exciting as it.  Even the best coaches struggle to recall sequences of events accurately and often fail to recognise where a sequence of positive play originates, or where errors evolve and players’ view of the game can vary greatly.  Notational analysis gives the coach a factual record of data – of what does not lie.  Importantly, the method of data collection needs to be reliable, objective and relevant to the level of play.  Most importantly it must add value to the player and coach.

Collecting stats in sport originated in the US in basketball and baseball, soccer is a late comer to analysis, but nonetheless there are  a number of systems and tools available to the coach today.     The stats of athletes and participants in track and field events, swimmers and cyclists are easier to measure and produce metrics from – finish time, height jumped etc.  Analysis in soccer provides its own challenges, but with the right approach can yield great benefits to the entire team.  There is no one method to collecting stats, nor is there one method for each level of the game.

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