02 Dic How the Integrated Convex Hull Revolutionizes Tactical Strategy in Football
The dynamics of modern football demand tools and concepts that help coaches better understand the game and make more informed strategic decisions. In this context, the Integrated Convex Hull, developed by the Football Intelligence & Sports Performance Area at LALIGA, redefines how we analyze space on the field and provides new keys for training and competition. Here’s a clear and practical explanation of how this model can enhance your work as a coach.
What is the Integrated Convex Hull?
The Integrated Convex Hull is not just a theoretical concept; it’s a tool for visualizing and understanding the area where most of the dynamic play happens. This model combines the defensive lines of both teams and their lateral players to form a «battleground» where 90% of the game takes place (excluding set pieces).
Simply put: imagine a zone on the pitch where both teams are constantly interacting, and analyzing it reveals how well your defensive lines, pressure, and the opponent’s attacking opportunities are functioning.
How can this model help you?
1. Identifying key risk zones
The model highlights two critical areas to focus on:
- Between the defensive line and the goalkeeper: If an opponent breaks into this area with numerical superiority or through a deep pass, you’re in serious trouble. Working to prevent breaks in this zone is essential.
- Lateral channels outside the Convex Hull: Wingers tend to position themselves in these spaces during offensive phases. If executed with speed and precision, these zones can create great attacking opportunities.
Practical use: Strengthen coordination between your defenders and goalkeeper to protect the space behind the line. Additionally, use specific drills in training to exploit the lateral channels with speed.
2. Maximizing the use of the offside line
The interaction between the Integrated Convex Hull and the offside line is crucial. This model enables you to analyze how to use the opponent’s defensive line to force errors or give your forwards an advantageous position.
Practical use: Introduce simulations in training where players practice managing the offside line, both defensively and offensively, based on real scenarios analyzed with the Convex Hull.
3. Voronoi areas: Understanding the goalkeeper as a key player
The model measures the area where the goalkeeper has priority to reach the ball before any other player. This helps evaluate how much space your goalkeeper covers and how it relates to their defensive line.
Practical use: Adjust the goalkeeper’s position based on their interaction with the defenders to reduce vulnerable spaces. Work on deep ball drills to improve their game reading.
What does this mean for the coach’s daily work?
- Training planning: Design sessions that replicate critical situations identified by the model, such as protecting spaces between lines or exploiting wide areas.
- In-match decision-making: Use this knowledge to adjust tactics in real-time, identifying whether the opponent is exploiting spaces or if you can create superiority in key areas.
- Opponent analysis: The Integrated Convex Hull helps anticipate how the opponent’s lines will interact, allowing you to plan strategies to break their structure.
Conclusion
The Integrated Convex Hull is more than just an analytical tool—it’s a new way of looking at football from a practical, applicable perspective. With this model, coaches can improve spatial occupation, optimize transitions, and gain a tactical edge. The key lies in integrating these concepts into everyday training and competition realities.