The Danish U19 Academy Preseason Project: Key Findings

Communication data generate meaningful insights

During the preseason preparations, some of the Danish U19 academy teams used Vokalo’s wearable communication technology during friendly matches.

Vokalo has analysed the extensive data set of live player communication collected during the preseason games, resulting in unique insights into players' on-field communication and how it affects team performance.

. The data set collected: 

• 8 Danish football clubs (U19) from the highest level

• 39 matches

• 239 different players

• 97.343 communication interactions

Communication affects football results

Some key findings from the analysed interactions indicate that team communication matters.

⚽ In 7 out of 7 matches where both teams used Vokalo, data shows the winning team always communicated more task-oriented. 

⚽ Overall, winning teams had the most communication interactions, except in one match. While one winning team had fewer total interactions than the losing team, it still had the highest number of task-oriented communication interactions.

⚽ Goalkeepers, Central Backs and Central Midfielders communicated significantly more task-oriented on winning teams than their colleagues on losing teams.

The results of our analysis are consistent with several scientific studies that demonstrate the importance of a task-oriented communication style for effective teamwork.

Effective team communication helps teammates make informed split-second decisions

Cues or short phrases such as “time”, “settle”, “man-on”, “look left”, “free”, “control him”, or “shift” are examples of effective task-oriented communication.

It connects players as a cohesive group that can adapt quickly to changing game scenarios and helps teammates “read the game”, allowing them to make well-informed split-second decisions.

The potential for improving sports performance through communication is largely untapped. Teams including communication skills in their daily practice will have a significant advantage in the future. 

Using communication data in practice will show benchmarks across positional groups, making it easier for players to set measurable goals and work towards improving their skills and performance in this area. 

Verbal data can also help inform the talent mapping and identification of on-field leaders and the communication skills needed for each playing position.

Are you interested in knowing more about Vokalo's solution? Contact Jakob Hjort Nygaard or call +45 26 79 12 24 for more information.

Click here to read our blog on 5 Reasons Why Athletes Don’t Communicate