Scoring Big with Data: How Lion City Sailors are Transforming Football Analytics in Singapore
It's not uncommon in the world of sports to view data analytics as a game-tool, but for one Singapore Premier League football club, it has become a game-changer.
In this exclusive interview with Qixiang He, the Head of Data Analysis for the First Team at Lion City Sailors Football Club (LCS), we delve into how the club leverages data to enhance player performance and transform game strategies. We also explore how the world of sports analytics parallels with other industries, and what the future holds for data in sports.
Harnessing Data for Performance and Recovery
LCS employs a meticulous approach to player performance and recovery, utilising an array of data from wearables like GPS trackers and heart rate monitors. "These devices provide real-time insights into how hard our players are pushing in training and matches," says He.
This data, combined with self-reported assessments of fatigue and muscle soreness and individual consideration such as previous injuries, playing position, and age allow the team to gauge recovery and readiness, making individualised training modifications based on these insights.
"On certain days of the week, depending on the proximity of the training day to our match day, we have different physical themes and focus that we use to set out target loads," He explains.
He emphasises the importance of a structured yet flexible weekly plan: "We don't adhere to a traditional Monday to Sunday schedule. Instead, we create a 'microcycle' plan that spans from one match day to the next, adjusting daily based on player performance and unforeseen variables." This dynamic approach ensures that the team can respond to the numerous uncontrollable factors that arise during training and matches.
Visualisation of players' HMLD per individual across each training or matchday
Preventing Injuries with Data
Injury prevention at LCS is grounded in rigorous testing, both on and off the field. On-field tests include sprint testing (10m, 30m, curved sprints) and agility tests (T-Test, 5-0-5 agility test). Off-field, the players assess the strength of their hamstrings, quadriceps, and groin using isokinetic dynamometers and force gauges. They also perform single-leg and double-leg counter movement jumps to assess lower limb power, coordination and fatigue.
"These tests help us identify discrepancies in strength and power between limbs, which can indicate a higher risk of injury," He explains. By addressing these discrepancies through targeted strength and conditioning exercises, LCS aims to keep players in peak condition. "For players returning from injuries, we test them at certain phases of their rehabilitation process to gauge how ready they are to return to training and playing matches," He adds.
Collaborative Data-Driven Strategies
Effective use of data at LCS requires collaboration across various departments, including medical, rehab, and strength and conditioning staff. Frequent communication ensures that everyone is aligned and can interpret the data effectively. "Our higher management fully embraces data analytics, which is crucial for managing a football club with so many moving parts," He notes. The players themselves have also seen the benefits, often requesting their own performance data to track progress. "There is occasional push-back if testing is too regular or wearables cause discomfort, but overall, our players see the value in this data," He says.
Impacting Match Preparation and Strategy
Data also plays a pivotal role in match preparation at LCS. The performance department provides concise summaries of each player's physical readiness to the head coach, facilitating informed team selection. Platforms like Wyscout offer additional technical data on opponents, helping the team tailor their strategies. "We prepare a summary of how hard each player has trained leading up to the game and their state of recovery. This information is critical for making tactical decisions," He explains.
He shares an example where live data prompted the substitution of a fatigued player, preventing potential injury and optimising performance. "We can get a live feed of how much each player is running or sprinting throughout the match," he notes. This allows for real-time decisions that can significantly impact the game's outcome.
Future Innovations in Sports Data
Looking ahead, LCS plans to integrate more advanced activity tracking technology to enhance data collection without causing player discomfort. "We're looking to implement cutting-edge fitness wearables that monitor sleep and physical state of recovery," He reveals. Optical tracking technology will also allow for the collection of running and sprinting data via video feeds, reducing the need for GPS trackers.
He predicts a growing role for AI and machine learning in extracting valuable insights from the vast amounts of data collected. "Data is increasingly becoming a critical tool in football” says He. “Although I think it would not be able to (and should not) replace the subjective viewpoints and experience of various staff in any team supplementing the subjective expertise of our staff," he argues.
Cross-Industry Applications of Sports Data Analytics
Beyond sports, the data analytics methods used at LCS have potential applications in industries like banking, retail, and manufacturing. We can draw parallels in how data can predict trends, optimise performance, and improve decision-making processes in these fields. In the same way a football team can use data to monitor and enhance player performance, other industries can use similar methods to track and improve their operations. By embracing data-driven strategies, organisations can gain a competitive edge, much like LCS has in football.
As LCS continues to innovate and lead in sports analytics, their journey offers valuable lessons for data and analytics professionals across all sectors. The future of football – and indeed many industries – is data-driven, and LCS is at the forefront of this exciting evolution.
If you have a story to tell about your data and analytics journey, we would like to hear from you. Get in touch with Corinium's Eleen Meleng to learn more about this opportunity.
