The Step 7 club, Shrewsbury Up and Comers FC is embracing the new Veo Analytics features to help improve the players on the pitch. Players at every level of the club can utilise data and video, whether it is learning the basics or implementing more advanced game strategy and tactics

Shrewsbury Up And Comers FC is a Junior Football Club established in 1973. The club has over 500 boys and girls playing in the Shropshire Junior Football League from under 8’s to under 18’s. In 2020, during the pandemic, the club decided to start an adult team to complete the player pathway from Junior football to the adult game. The adult team is currently in its 3rd season of the Salop Leisure Premier League, which is Step 7 of the National Football ladder.

Helping the players improve their game
Tom Reynolds, the First Team Manager, spoke about how the club uses data and analytics to evaluate player performance and identify areas for improvement. "Being a Step 7 club, we need to get players doing the basics well. With Veo Analytics, we can help players improve their game. The 2D map is great for player positioning and pitch geography. Possession is an important aspect of the game, so we use the possession stat data to make sure we keep the ball in the right areas of the pitch."

Tom also spoke about how the club uses analytics to inform game strategy and tactics. "We always try to stick to our Playing Philosophy, but strategies and tactics vary from game to game depending on opposition and pitch. We use analytics to make sure players are listening to what has been instructed of them in the game. Set pieces are also very important at this level, so we analyze this area."

A tool for visual learners

During practice and training sessions, Tom says the club incorporates analytics and data visualization tools to enhance player development: "We show players clips of the game where they have done well or need to improve. Some players prefer visual learning rather than verbal, so it’s good to have this tool. If the analytics show that we are not getting enough shots in a game, we work on the attacking and finishing phase of the game in training. If possession is not where it needs to be, we increase ball protection and passing/receiving skills in sessions."

The club also uses analytics to evaluate the effectiveness of their coaching methods and make adjustments as needed. "We look at the analytics game by game to see where we have gaps and need improvement. We are always challenging our players to be better, and the pass strings stat gives players that challenge. Can we keep the ball for long periods?"

Finally, Tom gave a specific example of how analytics helped the team achieve success on the field. "In a certain game, we wanted to make sure we played longer passes to play in the opposition's final third more and utilize our pace in attacking areas by hitting space behind the opposition's back line. The pass location stat after the game proved that the team listened, and it helped us get a win." Tom ends.