Visualizing and Analyzing Disputed Areas in Soccer

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Abstract

Space ownership models assign 2D areas to individuals, based on their ability to reach locations according to their direction and speed. In this paper, we investigate the case where two or more individuals can reach a given location simultaneously. We refer to those locations as disputed areas, as there is tension and uncertainty on ownership, which is an important spatial analysis tool, e. g., in sports where players share a space with adversaries. We present the process to calculate those disputed areas from existing space ownership models, and introduce several visualizations and analysis of those areas using sport tracking data from Liverpool 2019’s goals. Those areas have been particularly insightful to understand assists, the ultimate pass that is critical for a team to score. We also report on feedback from experts both on the relevance of those areas as well as their visual design.