How Do You Analyse Football?

How Do You Analyse Football?

Imagine walking into a workshop filled with tools. Each tool has a specific purpose, from the precise wrench to the reliable hammer. A skilled craftsman knows how to choose the right tool for the job, guided by the project at hand. But what if the craftsman had no blueprint? Instead of methodically building, they might experiment aimlessly, trying different tools and hoping for success. Now, picture this as football analysis. Without a systematic framework, analysing football becomes a guessing game—a cycle of trial and error, akin to crafting without a plan.

This blog offers a blueprint: a universal, systematic way to analyse football rooted in the CDEF framework. By starting with the game itself and using the tools of Communication, Decision Making, Execution, and Fitness, coaches can move away from guesswork and toward informed, objective analysis. Let’s explore how this framework simplifies football’s complexities and provides clarity for coaches, players, and teams.

Is there a universal and systematic way of analysing football? The answer is yes. Football is a universal sport with a singular objective: to score one more goal than the opponent. This understanding forms the foundation of the CDEF framework—a universal lens for coaching, playing, and analysing football. Its universality lies in its starting point: the actual game of football.

What Is Football?

To analyse football, we must first answer a fundamental question: What is football? The simplest answer is this: football is CDE (Communication, Decision Making, Execution) for 90 minutes. The consistent application of CDE leads to its byproduct, football fitness. To analyse football, one must view C-D-E as core components of the game. Any problem that arises can be traced to one of these components or to their byproduct, F (fitness).

There are hundreds of thousands of elements within the C level (Communication), and it can take a coach over 10 years to master them. The same applies to the D (Decision Making), E (Execution), and F (Fitness) components of this universal framework. However, many coaches are unaware of the CDEF framework. If they don’t know about it, what exactly have they been coaching and analysing? Without this systematic approach, they are effectively playing Russian roulette, hoping to win by chance and accumulating headless experience as they jump from one club to another.

CDEF as a Starting Point

When analysing football, the CDEF framework serves as the starting point. Beyond this framework, coaches can utilize additional tools to refine their analysis. Coaching is about acquiring as many football references as possible—objective football knowledge that can be stored and used when needed. However, the game itself should always be the starting point. A coach’s experience is a tool, but it must not be independent of football’s principles.

A New Tool for Football Analysis

When analysing, the first step is for the coach to describe and explain the problem. For example, a coach might notice their team is struggling to maintain possession during transitions. Describing the problem involves identifying what is happening, such as misplaced passes or poor positioning. Explaining the problem requires digging deeper into why these issues are occurring—perhaps players are not communicating effectively (C), making poor decisions under pressure (D), or failing to execute the required technical actions (E).

Steps for Analysing Football Problems

• Step 1: Identify the problem—Does it belong in C (Communication), D (Decision Making), E (Execution), or F (Fitness)?

• Step 2: Determine if it is a football problem or a problem below football actions.

• Step 3: If it is a football problem, solve it within the football environment where CDE is present.

• Step 4: If it is a basic action problem, address it through precondition training outside the football environment.

• Step 5: If it is a movement issue, resolve it with corrective exercises in a specialized setting.

By following these steps, coaches can ensure that problems are addressed systematically and within the appropriate context.

Football Action

Football action refers to any action performed within a football environment where CDE (Communication, Decision Making, Execution) is present. These actions occur both during training and matches, as long as the football environment maintains its integrity. Football action is characterized by players collecting information through communication, making decisions based on that information, and executing those decisions in the game context. This process encapsulates the dynamic and situational nature of football.

For example, consider a winger who receives the ball near the sideline. The player communicates by observing the positions of teammates and opponents. Based on this information, they make a decision—to either dribble, pass, or cross. Finally, they execute this decision by performing the chosen action. If any of these components (C, D, or E) is missing, such as poor communication leading to a misjudged decision, the action cannot be considered a successful football action.

This distinction is crucial for coaches when analysing problems. If the problem is rooted in a football action, it must be solved within the football environment, where CDE (Communication, Decision Making, Execution) is present. If the problem lies below the football level, such as in basic actions or movements, it must be addressed outside the football environment. For instance, a basic action issue like poor kicking technique requires specific precondition training away from football, while a movement problem like an inefficient running gait needs to be resolved outside the basic action context through corrective movement training.

Basic Actions 

Basic actions are foundational actions that allow players to play football, such as running, kicking, jumping, or catching. Movement lies at the level below basic actions and refers to the physical mechanisms required to perform these foundational actions. For example, running involves lifting one leg, placing it forward, and repeating the motion while coordinating with arm movements. If a player cannot perform a basic action due to movement limitations, such as a physical injury or inefficiency, the issue lies at this foundational movement level.

If a player struggles with a football action due to deficiencies in basic actions or movements, the coach must determine the appropriate environment to address it. Football problems require solutions within the football environment. Basic action issues, such as kicking or jumping, necessitate targeted training outside the football environment, and movement problems, like gait inefficiencies, require even more specialized corrective work outside the basic action context. For example, if a player’s kicking technique is poor, they may need focused training outside the football environment. This is called basic action training or precondition training.

Consider a scenario where a goalkeeper has trouble catching high balls during matches. While the immediate observation might focus on their inability to catch, the underlying issue could stem from a basic action or movement problem, such as poor jumping mechanics or weak hand-eye coordination. By addressing these foundational movements and actions, the coach can help the player re-enter the football environment more prepared.

Basic action training is not football training; it prepares the player to re-enter the football environment. While basic action training or movement correction can help improve a player’s foundational skills, it does not guarantee success on match day. Basic actions and movement corrections are uncontextual decisions executed without the communicative and decision-making elements of football.

Movement

Below basic actions lies movement. Movement refers to the physical mechanisms required to perform basic actions. For instance, running involves lifting one leg, placing it forward, and repeating the motion while coordinating with arm movements. If a player cannot run due to a physical limitation, such as a broken bone, the issue lies at the movement level.

For example, consider a midfielder who struggles to maintain balance when changing direction rapidly. This could stem from an inefficient movement pattern, such as poor core stability or uneven muscle strength. By addressing these movement limitations with targeted corrective exercises, the player can perform basic actions, like pivoting and sprinting, more effectively on the pitch.

Simplifying Coaching Roles

This analytical approach also simplifies coaching roles. Coaches can specialize in football actions, basic actions, or movements. For example, a coach focusing on football actions would address problems directly on the pitch, ensuring that CDE (Communication, Decision Making, Execution) is present. A basic actions coach might work outside the football environment to refine a player’s kicking or jumping skills, while a movement coach would focus on correcting foundational issues, such as balance or coordination, in a specialized setting.

The order of addressing these roles is also critically important. If a problem arises, the first person to consult should always be the football action coach. Only after ruling out issues at the football action level should the focus shift to basic actions, and finally to movement if necessary. This ensures that problems are addressed efficiently and within the correct context.

If a head coach identifies a problem requiring expertise beyond their team’s capabilities, they can bring in specialists, such as medical professionals or physiotherapists. This ensures a structured approach, always starting with football as the primary reference point.

The Goal of This Blog

This blog aims to equip coaches with a universal and systematic method for analysing football. By following the CDEF framework and the process outlined here, coaches can move away from trial and error and towards informed, objective decision-making. This approach is not rooted in opinion or personal experience but is instead built on the universal principles of football. By applying this method, the 100 coaches we mentioned earlier can confidently address the question, "How do you analyse football?" and develop solutions that are informed by the game itself.

Thank you for reading this blog. I hope it provides valuable insights and helps coaches rethink their approach to football analysis, ultimately improving the game for players, teams, and fans alike.

Conclusion

In conclusion, football analysis should not rely on trial and error or imitating past winners. Instead, it requires a systematic and universal approach rooted in the game itself. The CDEF framework provides a structured method to break down football into its core components: Communication, Decision Making, Execution, and Fitness.

For example, a coach addressing defensive lapses can use this framework to identify whether the issue lies in poor communication during transitions (C), flawed tactical decisions (D), or ineffective execution of defensive actions (E). Similarly, a team struggling to maintain possession might uncover problems related to communication breakdowns or poor decision-making during transitions. By pinpointing the issue, the coach can implement targeted solutions effectively.

By adopting this systematic approach, coaches move away from subjective guesswork and toward informed, objective decisions that benefit players, teams, and the game itself. The ultimate goal is to let football inform the coaching process, ensuring that training and analysis reflect the game’s unique demands.

If this blog resonated with you, take the first step toward mastering football analysis. Apply the CDEF framework in your sessions, explore how C, D, E, and F shape your team, and let football’s principles guide your coaching. Together, let’s elevate the sport through universal, systematic thinking.