Pattern Recognition in Soccer: Perceptions of Skilled Defenders and Experienced Coaches

The ability to perceive and recognise patterns of play is important for performance in tasks with strict spatiotemporal constraints. Study aims were twofold: (i) to qualitatively investigate the mechanisms and processes underpinning how soccer players recognise patterns, (ii) to qualitatively investigate the importance of pattern recognition in competition and practice environments. Six skilled soccer central defenders and seven experienced soccer coaches were interviewed. A reflexive thematic analysis of the data identified six higher-order and twenty-two lower-order themes relating to pattern recognition and anticipation in competition and practice environments. The six higher order themes were: recognising danger and distance to ball, sources of information, experience, opposition team, organisation and communication, and development in practice environments. Participants shared that developing pattern recognition and game reading skill is crucial in creating effective practice environments that support the transfer of skills into competition. Providing central defenders with representative scenarios during practice is recommended to stimulate problem-solving and promote familiarity with patterns of play to underpin game reading and thus skilled performance.