The purpose of this study was to develop a new method for analysis of team match performance in soccer and test its reliability from videotapes. Team match performance analysis, which includes qualitative evaluation of different dimensions of match performance involved in the opponent interaction, was developed by using 22 multidimensional categorical variables. This is thought to provide a more valid assessment of team match performance, since it is considered to be a product of the confrontation between two teams. To test inter- and intra-observer reliability, a random sample of 200 team possessions from videos of 163 out of 182 (90%) matches played in the Norwegian professional league in 2004 was analysed. Kappa coefficients (?) values of 0.81-1.0 were considered very good, 0.61-0.80 good, 0.41-0.60 moderate, 0.21-0.40 fair, and <0.21 poor. Kappa values were considerably better for the intra-observer test (16 (73%) very good, (23%) good and 1 (4%) moderate) than the inter-observer test (7 (32%) very good, 5 (23%) good, 7 (32%) moderate, 2 (9%) fair and 1 (4%) poor of 22 variables). A new method, representing a potentially valuable tool for more valid assessment of team match performance, has been developed as a reliable method for most variables used.
© Copyright 2009 International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport. Taylor & Francis. All rights reserved.