Performance Analysis: a look at the methods used in grassroots categories of football clubs in the city of Porto Alegre-RS

Abstract

Introduction and Objective: In the last decades football has been studied and interpreted in its minute details, obtaining more qualified information about the game. Performance analysis seeks to improve the performance of the team and/or the athlete. The present study aimed to investigate the application of performance analysis methods in the process of training young footballers in three professional clubs in the city of Porto Alegre-RS. Materials and Methods: The methodology of this study is characterized as applied, exploratory and descriptive, with a qualitative approach. Through semi-structured interviews, performance analysts from the grassroots categories of three clubs were interviewed. As a data analysis procedure, the triangulation method was used. Results and Discussion: The clubs structured in this area of activity, despite systematizing the methods used differently, are based on principles based on theory. Performance analysts mention using quantitative and qualitative analyzes of game data, as well as making individual and collective observations. However, in some cases, there was a greater concern in the analysis of collective data, overlapping individual analyzes, being able to distance themselves from the development and training of athletes, the role of the basic categories. Conclusion: Performance analysis can assist in the training and development of young football athletes, and it is up to professionals in the field to find the best methods for its application. The resources used by the analysts, especially the game footage, provide a more technical look at the events that occurred in the matches.