Human Factors in Sports Systems: An Empirical Investigation of Events in Team Games

Abstract

A recently developed computer system was used to analyze the events that occur during a soccer game. This system was used for two purposes. Firstly, to accumulate a large data base of information from international games (1982 F.I.F.A. World Cup Finals) and secondly, to aid in the coaching process and hence improve both individual and team performance (Canadian Olympic Soccer Team). The Computer Assisted Sport Evaluation (CASE) system allowed a complete analysis of each game and produced information relative to several key aspects of soccer. The data reported in this paper is a small part of the available information, but relates to the most crucial part of team game performance, that being the events surrounding how goals are scored and, therefore, how games are won and lost.