Developing the Coach Education System in Japan: Tactical Analysis through Objective Data in Football

Abstract

Within football coach education in Japan, coaches are often provided with information related to specific coaching methods, rather than dedicating more time towards enhancing their coaching intelligence through the recognition of game situations. Effective coaching in football should be supported by accurate recognition of game situations based on football tactics. However, the quality of recognising game situations is dependent upon a coach's experience, resulting in discrepancies between coaches which may cause difficulties when engaging in tactical discussions related to game situations within coach education programmes. Therefore, the current research aimed to propose a tactical analysis system in football using a numerical model as a tool to enable interactive and high-quality discussions amongst coaches, particularly between course tutors and learner coaches within formal coach education programmes. The analytical model attempts to ensure an objective tactical understanding of a football game and aims to reduce variability and subjectivity in coaches’ recognition of game situations. Hence, it may enhance football coaches’ ability to recognise game situations and promote more informed tactical discussions with others, contributing to the development of football coach education in Japan and meaningful coach learning.