Tom Harrison
@tomh36.bsky.social
Football data analyst, ex Santos Laguna/Orlegi Sports
Writing Liga MX analysis in English- https://cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/
Y en Español- https://cambiodejuego.beehiiv.com/
Writing Liga MX analysis in English- https://cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/
Y en Español- https://cambiodejuego.beehiiv.com/
Pinned
Tom Harrison
@tomh36.bsky.social
· Sep 2
Blocking the goalkeeper's sightline can increase goal probability
Analysis of defensive positioning and the impact of pressure on a shot
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com
✍️ Blocking the goalkeeper's sightline can increase goal probability
▫️Defensive positioning study with @statsbomb.com data
▫️Pressuring shots reduces goal probability
▫️If a defender can't pressure the shot they should move to clear the keeper's view
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/blocking-t...
▫️Defensive positioning study with @statsbomb.com data
▫️Pressuring shots reduces goal probability
▫️If a defender can't pressure the shot they should move to clear the keeper's view
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/blocking-t...
Pass and move 🏃
🔷 Whilst tracking data is needed to fully assess off-ball movement, we can visualize movement during a pass combo with event data
🔷 I split pass & move into 2 types:
1️⃣ Wall pass (1-2)
2️⃣ ABCA combo (Player A makes pass 1 & receive pass 3)
👇 Example from Messi at past 2 World Cups
🔷 Whilst tracking data is needed to fully assess off-ball movement, we can visualize movement during a pass combo with event data
🔷 I split pass & move into 2 types:
1️⃣ Wall pass (1-2)
2️⃣ ABCA combo (Player A makes pass 1 & receive pass 3)
👇 Example from Messi at past 2 World Cups
October 31, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Pass and move 🏃
🔷 Whilst tracking data is needed to fully assess off-ball movement, we can visualize movement during a pass combo with event data
🔷 I split pass & move into 2 types:
1️⃣ Wall pass (1-2)
2️⃣ ABCA combo (Player A makes pass 1 & receive pass 3)
👇 Example from Messi at past 2 World Cups
🔷 Whilst tracking data is needed to fully assess off-ball movement, we can visualize movement during a pass combo with event data
🔷 I split pass & move into 2 types:
1️⃣ Wall pass (1-2)
2️⃣ ABCA combo (Player A makes pass 1 & receive pass 3)
👇 Example from Messi at past 2 World Cups
xG p90 leaders in Europe's "big 5" leagues plus Liga MX, 2025-26 (Data from FBref, minimum 500 minutes):
▫️ Erling Haaland - 1.03
🇲🇽 Armando "Hormiga" González - 0.75
▫️ Kylian Mbappe - 0.73
The 22-year-old should be Mexico's next export to Europe
▫️ Erling Haaland - 1.03
🇲🇽 Armando "Hormiga" González - 0.75
▫️ Kylian Mbappe - 0.73
The 22-year-old should be Mexico's next export to Europe
October 27, 2025 at 7:43 PM
xG p90 leaders in Europe's "big 5" leagues plus Liga MX, 2025-26 (Data from FBref, minimum 500 minutes):
▫️ Erling Haaland - 1.03
🇲🇽 Armando "Hormiga" González - 0.75
▫️ Kylian Mbappe - 0.73
The 22-year-old should be Mexico's next export to Europe
▫️ Erling Haaland - 1.03
🇲🇽 Armando "Hormiga" González - 0.75
▫️ Kylian Mbappe - 0.73
The 22-year-old should be Mexico's next export to Europe
🧵 Thread: I recently explored a few ideas to analyze a team's press in more detail 👇
1️⃣ Pressing triggers
▫️By focusing on the opponent's pass before a 1st pressing action in a sequence, it's possible to separate different triggers
👇 The graphic shows an example, with the 8 triggers that I defined
1️⃣ Pressing triggers
▫️By focusing on the opponent's pass before a 1st pressing action in a sequence, it's possible to separate different triggers
👇 The graphic shows an example, with the 8 triggers that I defined
October 24, 2025 at 3:20 PM
🧵 Thread: I recently explored a few ideas to analyze a team's press in more detail 👇
1️⃣ Pressing triggers
▫️By focusing on the opponent's pass before a 1st pressing action in a sequence, it's possible to separate different triggers
👇 The graphic shows an example, with the 8 triggers that I defined
1️⃣ Pressing triggers
▫️By focusing on the opponent's pass before a 1st pressing action in a sequence, it's possible to separate different triggers
👇 The graphic shows an example, with the 8 triggers that I defined
✍️ Pressing triggers, orientation & defensive positioning: Developing opposition analysis ideas 👇
▫️Focusing on the pass before a pressure to analyze triggers
▫️How the trigger impacts outcomes
▫️Orientation & positioning can add more layers of detail
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/pressing-t...
▫️Focusing on the pass before a pressure to analyze triggers
▫️How the trigger impacts outcomes
▫️Orientation & positioning can add more layers of detail
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/pressing-t...
Pressing triggers, orientation & defensive positioning
Developing opposition analysis ideas & analyzing how pressing triggers impact outcomes
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com
October 21, 2025 at 4:05 PM
✍️ Pressing triggers, orientation & defensive positioning: Developing opposition analysis ideas 👇
▫️Focusing on the pass before a pressure to analyze triggers
▫️How the trigger impacts outcomes
▫️Orientation & positioning can add more layers of detail
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/pressing-t...
▫️Focusing on the pass before a pressure to analyze triggers
▫️How the trigger impacts outcomes
▫️Orientation & positioning can add more layers of detail
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/pressing-t...
Reposted by Tom Harrison
Welcome new people, here are some soccer analytics and tactics accounts to follow if you're into that
October 15, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Welcome new people, here are some soccer analytics and tactics accounts to follow if you're into that
2 goals for the extraordinary Gilberto Mora in the U20 World Cup yesterday.
Back in February, I profiled the 16-year-old, analysing his underlying numbers, remarkable ball retention, shot locations and performances in the Tijuana academy 👇
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/the-best-p...
Back in February, I profiled the 16-year-old, analysing his underlying numbers, remarkable ball retention, shot locations and performances in the Tijuana academy 👇
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/the-best-p...
The best prospect in Mexican football?
Analyzing Gilberto Mora, in Liga MX and academy football
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com
October 2, 2025 at 4:38 PM
2 goals for the extraordinary Gilberto Mora in the U20 World Cup yesterday.
Back in February, I profiled the 16-year-old, analysing his underlying numbers, remarkable ball retention, shot locations and performances in the Tijuana academy 👇
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/the-best-p...
Back in February, I profiled the 16-year-old, analysing his underlying numbers, remarkable ball retention, shot locations and performances in the Tijuana academy 👇
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/the-best-p...
✏️ Studying tempo in a high press, inspired by tactical analysis from @jonmackenzie.bsky.social & @liamtharme.bsky.social
▫️Pressing a ball reception = Less progression & more recoveries
▫️More time on the ball = More long passes & better success %
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/tempo-and-...
▫️Pressing a ball reception = Less progression & more recoveries
▫️More time on the ball = More long passes & better success %
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/tempo-and-...
Pressing the ball reception can improve high press efficiency
Studying the concepts of tempo and access in a high press
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com
September 15, 2025 at 3:39 PM
✏️ Studying tempo in a high press, inspired by tactical analysis from @jonmackenzie.bsky.social & @liamtharme.bsky.social
▫️Pressing a ball reception = Less progression & more recoveries
▫️More time on the ball = More long passes & better success %
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/tempo-and-...
▫️Pressing a ball reception = Less progression & more recoveries
▫️More time on the ball = More long passes & better success %
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/tempo-and-...
Reposted by Tom Harrison
🤔🤔🤔
✍️ Pressing the ball reception can improve high press efficiency
▫️Limiting time on the ball before a pressing action reduces opposition ball progression
▫️Generating turnovers is more complex, as increased time pre-press leads to more long passes
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/tempo-and-...
▫️Limiting time on the ball before a pressing action reduces opposition ball progression
▫️Generating turnovers is more complex, as increased time pre-press leads to more long passes
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/tempo-and-...
Tempo and access: Key concepts for a successful high press?
Studying opposition time on the ball before being put under pressure
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com
September 13, 2025 at 2:52 AM
🤔🤔🤔
Reposted by Tom Harrison
This one is good
And applies to the importance of shots from the likes of DJJ and Lukic from outside the box
#doop
And applies to the importance of shots from the likes of DJJ and Lukic from outside the box
#doop
✍️ Blocking the goalkeeper's sightline can increase goal probability
▫️Defensive positioning study with @statsbomb.com data
▫️Pressuring shots reduces goal probability
▫️If a defender can't pressure the shot they should move to clear the keeper's view
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/blocking-t...
▫️Defensive positioning study with @statsbomb.com data
▫️Pressuring shots reduces goal probability
▫️If a defender can't pressure the shot they should move to clear the keeper's view
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/blocking-t...
Blocking the goalkeeper's sightline can increase goal probability
Analysis of defensive positioning and the impact of pressure on a shot
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com
September 13, 2025 at 12:56 PM
This one is good
And applies to the importance of shots from the likes of DJJ and Lukic from outside the box
#doop
And applies to the importance of shots from the likes of DJJ and Lukic from outside the box
#doop
✍️ Pressing the ball reception can improve high press efficiency
▫️Limiting time on the ball before a pressing action reduces opposition ball progression
▫️Generating turnovers is more complex, as increased time pre-press leads to more long passes
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/tempo-and-...
▫️Limiting time on the ball before a pressing action reduces opposition ball progression
▫️Generating turnovers is more complex, as increased time pre-press leads to more long passes
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/tempo-and-...
Tempo and access: Key concepts for a successful high press?
Studying opposition time on the ball before being put under pressure
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com
September 12, 2025 at 5:06 PM
✍️ Pressing the ball reception can improve high press efficiency
▫️Limiting time on the ball before a pressing action reduces opposition ball progression
▫️Generating turnovers is more complex, as increased time pre-press leads to more long passes
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/tempo-and-...
▫️Limiting time on the ball before a pressing action reduces opposition ball progression
▫️Generating turnovers is more complex, as increased time pre-press leads to more long passes
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/tempo-and-...
Reposted by Tom Harrison
✍️ Blocking the goalkeeper's sightline can increase goal probability
▫️Defensive positioning study with @statsbomb.com data
▫️Pressuring shots reduces goal probability
▫️If a defender can't pressure the shot they should move to clear the keeper's view
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/blocking-t...
▫️Defensive positioning study with @statsbomb.com data
▫️Pressuring shots reduces goal probability
▫️If a defender can't pressure the shot they should move to clear the keeper's view
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/blocking-t...
Blocking the goalkeeper's sightline can increase goal probability
Analysis of defensive positioning and the impact of pressure on a shot
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com
September 8, 2025 at 6:02 PM
A pleasure to provide some quotes for the @cesarhfutbol.bsky.social piece on Gilberto Mora
Check it out below 👇
Check it out below 👇
"This kid could definitely be a Champions League-level player in the future"
Meet 16-year-old Mexican wonderkid Gilberto Mora, one of the most exciting young players in world soccer and a possible savior for El Tri at the World Cup.
www.espn.com/soccer/story...
Meet 16-year-old Mexican wonderkid Gilberto Mora, one of the most exciting young players in world soccer and a possible savior for El Tri at the World Cup.
www.espn.com/soccer/story...
Introducing Gilberto Mora, 16, Mexico's great hope for the 2026 World Cup
Gilberto Mora is one of the most exciting talents that Mexico has produced in the last few years, as the teenager will now look to live up to that hype at the World Cup.
www.espn.com
September 5, 2025 at 7:41 PM
A pleasure to provide some quotes for the @cesarhfutbol.bsky.social piece on Gilberto Mora
Check it out below 👇
Check it out below 👇
Reposted by Tom Harrison
Nothing I love more than when analytics research backs up things that just obviously completely make sense
September 3, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Nothing I love more than when analytics research backs up things that just obviously completely make sense
Reposted by Tom Harrison
I,
and I can't stress this enough,
love this shit.
and I can't stress this enough,
love this shit.
✍️ Blocking the goalkeeper's sightline can increase goal probability
▫️Defensive positioning study with @statsbomb.com data
▫️Pressuring shots reduces goal probability
▫️If a defender can't pressure the shot they should move to clear the keeper's view
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/blocking-t...
▫️Defensive positioning study with @statsbomb.com data
▫️Pressuring shots reduces goal probability
▫️If a defender can't pressure the shot they should move to clear the keeper's view
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/blocking-t...
Blocking the goalkeeper's sightline can increase goal probability
Analysis of defensive positioning and the impact of pressure on a shot
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com
September 2, 2025 at 6:27 PM
I,
and I can't stress this enough,
love this shit.
and I can't stress this enough,
love this shit.
Yes, and I know it's simple, but I've seen coaches teaching "ball, body, goal" positioning (or something along the same lines) to both goalkeepers and defenders. This naturally results in the defender blocking the keeper's view.
So it's something that hasn't been considered enough in my opinion.
So it's something that hasn't been considered enough in my opinion.
Are you saying that if the keeper can't see the ball he's less likely to save the shot?
😉
😉
September 3, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Yes, and I know it's simple, but I've seen coaches teaching "ball, body, goal" positioning (or something along the same lines) to both goalkeepers and defenders. This naturally results in the defender blocking the keeper's view.
So it's something that hasn't been considered enough in my opinion.
So it's something that hasn't been considered enough in my opinion.
Reposted by Tom Harrison
This is v cool. Reminds me of Dyche’s Burnley doing a neat funnelling thing where there was no pressure but the Gk sightline was kept clear.
September 2, 2025 at 6:23 PM
This is v cool. Reminds me of Dyche’s Burnley doing a neat funnelling thing where there was no pressure but the Gk sightline was kept clear.
Reposted by Tom Harrison
Fun example of the kind of thing you can look into with the Statsbomb public dataset
✍️ Blocking the goalkeeper's sightline can increase goal probability
▫️Defensive positioning study with @statsbomb.com data
▫️Pressuring shots reduces goal probability
▫️If a defender can't pressure the shot they should move to clear the keeper's view
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/blocking-t...
▫️Defensive positioning study with @statsbomb.com data
▫️Pressuring shots reduces goal probability
▫️If a defender can't pressure the shot they should move to clear the keeper's view
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/blocking-t...
Blocking the goalkeeper's sightline can increase goal probability
Analysis of defensive positioning and the impact of pressure on a shot
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com
September 2, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Fun example of the kind of thing you can look into with the Statsbomb public dataset
Reposted by Tom Harrison
✍️ Blocking the goalkeeper's sightline can increase goal probability
▫️Defensive positioning study with @statsbomb.com data
▫️Pressuring shots reduces goal probability
▫️If a defender can't pressure the shot they should move to clear the keeper's view
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/blocking-t...
▫️Defensive positioning study with @statsbomb.com data
▫️Pressuring shots reduces goal probability
▫️If a defender can't pressure the shot they should move to clear the keeper's view
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/blocking-t...
Blocking the goalkeeper's sightline can increase goal probability
Analysis of defensive positioning and the impact of pressure on a shot
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com
September 2, 2025 at 5:55 PM
✍️ Blocking the goalkeeper's sightline can increase goal probability
▫️Defensive positioning study with @statsbomb.com data
▫️Pressuring shots reduces goal probability
▫️If a defender can't pressure the shot they should move to clear the keeper's view
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/blocking-t...
▫️Defensive positioning study with @statsbomb.com data
▫️Pressuring shots reduces goal probability
▫️If a defender can't pressure the shot they should move to clear the keeper's view
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/blocking-t...
✍️ Free-kicks: Where should teams shoot from?
▫️Analyzing StatsBomb open data to find the most efficient decision based on the location of the free-kick
▫️How Messi has out-performed the average
▫️Should teams attempt more indirect free-kicks?
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/free-kicks...
▫️Analyzing StatsBomb open data to find the most efficient decision based on the location of the free-kick
▫️How Messi has out-performed the average
▫️Should teams attempt more indirect free-kicks?
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/free-kicks...
Free-kicks: Where should teams shoot from?
It seems that teams should attempt more indirect free-kicks
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com
August 25, 2025 at 5:41 PM
✍️ Free-kicks: Where should teams shoot from?
▫️Analyzing StatsBomb open data to find the most efficient decision based on the location of the free-kick
▫️How Messi has out-performed the average
▫️Should teams attempt more indirect free-kicks?
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/free-kicks...
▫️Analyzing StatsBomb open data to find the most efficient decision based on the location of the free-kick
▫️How Messi has out-performed the average
▫️Should teams attempt more indirect free-kicks?
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/free-kicks...
✍️ 10 ways that football clubs should be using analytics
🆕Recruitment & contracts
✅Pre-game, live, collective & individual analysis
❓Predicting young player potential
📈Training data & overall trends
👇Exploring each type with Liga MX case studies
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/10-ways-th...
🆕Recruitment & contracts
✅Pre-game, live, collective & individual analysis
❓Predicting young player potential
📈Training data & overall trends
👇Exploring each type with Liga MX case studies
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/10-ways-th...
10 ways that football clubs should be using analytics
How teams can create advantages over their opponents
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com
July 18, 2025 at 9:09 PM
✍️ 10 ways that football clubs should be using analytics
🆕Recruitment & contracts
✅Pre-game, live, collective & individual analysis
❓Predicting young player potential
📈Training data & overall trends
👇Exploring each type with Liga MX case studies
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/10-ways-th...
🆕Recruitment & contracts
✅Pre-game, live, collective & individual analysis
❓Predicting young player potential
📈Training data & overall trends
👇Exploring each type with Liga MX case studies
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/10-ways-th...
✍️ Is Alexis Gutiérrez good enough for América?
▫️Less attacking output than current options Álvaro Fidalgo & Érick Sánchez
▫️Very little impact in build-up
▫️Few dribbles, lots of sideways/backwards passes
👇Complete analysis of América's new signing
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/alexis-gut...
▫️Less attacking output than current options Álvaro Fidalgo & Érick Sánchez
▫️Very little impact in build-up
▫️Few dribbles, lots of sideways/backwards passes
👇Complete analysis of América's new signing
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/alexis-gut...
Is Alexis Gutiérrez good enough for Club América?
Cruz Azul have done well to get a significant fee for Gutiérrez
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com
June 30, 2025 at 2:45 PM
✍️ Is Alexis Gutiérrez good enough for América?
▫️Less attacking output than current options Álvaro Fidalgo & Érick Sánchez
▫️Very little impact in build-up
▫️Few dribbles, lots of sideways/backwards passes
👇Complete analysis of América's new signing
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/alexis-gut...
▫️Less attacking output than current options Álvaro Fidalgo & Érick Sánchez
▫️Very little impact in build-up
▫️Few dribbles, lots of sideways/backwards passes
👇Complete analysis of América's new signing
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/alexis-gut...
✍️ Re-building Juárez: Where should they try to strengthen?
▫️Left-back options to replace Orquin
▫️Replacement if Campillo leaves
▫️How to improve central creation
▫️Better striker than Zaldívar
Article analyzing the squad & possible signings below 👇
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/re-buildin...
▫️Left-back options to replace Orquin
▫️Replacement if Campillo leaves
▫️How to improve central creation
▫️Better striker than Zaldívar
Article analyzing the squad & possible signings below 👇
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/re-buildin...
Re-building Juárez
Analyzing the Juárez squad after their best-ever Liga MX season, and signings to strengthen for the future
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com
June 24, 2025 at 9:37 PM
✍️ Re-building Juárez: Where should they try to strengthen?
▫️Left-back options to replace Orquin
▫️Replacement if Campillo leaves
▫️How to improve central creation
▫️Better striker than Zaldívar
Article analyzing the squad & possible signings below 👇
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/re-buildin...
▫️Left-back options to replace Orquin
▫️Replacement if Campillo leaves
▫️How to improve central creation
▫️Better striker than Zaldívar
Article analyzing the squad & possible signings below 👇
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/re-buildin...
✍ Re-building Club América: Where should they try to strengthen?
▫️ Orquín should take Chicote's minutes
▫️ Another midfielder to boost options?
▫️ A direct replacement if Brian leaves
▫️ Various options to improve cover out wide
Article below 👇
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/re-buildin...
▫️ Orquín should take Chicote's minutes
▫️ Another midfielder to boost options?
▫️ A direct replacement if Brian leaves
▫️ Various options to improve cover out wide
Article below 👇
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/re-buildin...
Re-building América
Analyzing the squad, their disappointing season, and options to strengthen the side
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com
June 10, 2025 at 6:17 PM
✍ Re-building Club América: Where should they try to strengthen?
▫️ Orquín should take Chicote's minutes
▫️ Another midfielder to boost options?
▫️ A direct replacement if Brian leaves
▫️ Various options to improve cover out wide
Article below 👇
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/re-buildin...
▫️ Orquín should take Chicote's minutes
▫️ Another midfielder to boost options?
▫️ A direct replacement if Brian leaves
▫️ Various options to improve cover out wide
Article below 👇
cambiodejuegoenglish.beehiiv.com/p/re-buildin...