Opposition and dynamics at the core of game-play analysis in soccer

Abstract

This paper examines the theory of dynamic systems and its use in the domains of the study and analysis of team sports. The two teams involved in a match are looked at as two interacting systems in movement, where opposition is paramount. Several key elements for the observation of game play are studied. The notions of game-play configuration and elasticity are important but are not purely mechanical since players make decisions that may disturb the contraction / expansion of the attack / defense system. Sometimes, the match gets disturbed due to some unexpected situation, to an inadvertent decision that relates to the notion of urgency. Emergent phenomena are unpredictable, even unexplained phenomena that shape into regularities, relational structures or even original entities. These various concepts, along with elements of movement in play, are integrated in models intended to help players and observers grasp a systemic view of action play.