Introduction

A New Perspective on the Game

Football is not a sum of isolated statistics; it is a complex, dynamic phenomenon of “unbreakable wholeness”. The new Introductory Course to Game Analysis and Scouting by the Official School of Tactical Periodisation® was designed for professiona

More than learning how to “cut video”, you will learn to think the game.

More than learning how to “cut video”, you will learn to think the game. From the conception of the Game Idea to its operationalization in the Pattern Morphocycle, get ready to transform the way you observe your team, the opponent, and the player market.

SKILLS

What you will learn

Informations

Course Details

INSIDE THE COURSE

See the Course in Action

Class from the 1st Edition

Course Webinar

Program

Programmatic Content

1.1. The conception of football, the game, and training. Its implications for defining the observation and analysis of one’s own team’s play, the opponent’s, and global football trends.

1.2. Defining the object of study: The Game.

1.3. The game moments in football as a “continuum.” An unbreakable whole.

1.4. Definition of game concepts and their respective significance in Tactical Periodization:

     1.4.1. The Game Idea as a prior intention

     1.4.2. Structure and sub-structures

     1.4.3. Game System

     1.4.4. Game Model as an intention in action

1.5. Practical Case Study

1.The Analyst’s Roles and Typologies from a Multidimensional Perspective:

     1.1. Tactical Analyst – Own Team

     1.2. Opponent Analyst – Collective and Individual

     1.3. Technical/Individual Analyst

     1.4. Set Piece Analyst

2.Observation and the Identification of Game Trends and Patterns:

     2.1. Criteria and Contextual Variables of Observation

     2.2. Qualitative Indicators of Collective Performance

     2.3. The Interpretation of Performance Metrics

     2.4. Observation and Registration Methods

     2.5. Workflow: Information Gathering, Filtering, and Reporting

3.Case Study: Practical Analysis of Real-Life Example(s) from the Perspective of Interconnecting Game Moments

1.The Weekly and/or Monthly Analysis Cycle:

     1.1. Planning the observation and analysis cycle (own team in training/match and/or opponent(s)).

2.The Strategic Plan in Match Analysis:

     2.1. Identifying Patterns and Defining Strengths/Weaknesses.

     2.2. Planning how to neutralize/emphasize (opponent/own team).

3.Analyst’s Tasks and Workflow in the Microcycle:

     3.1. Pre-Match and Post-Match Analysis.

     3.2. Live Analysis and Feedback.

     3.3. Information Management.

4.Integrating the Analysis Process into Training and Match Day:

     4.1. In Training – The Analyst’s Role.

     4.2. Match Day – The Analyst’s Role Before/During/After.

1.Typologies and Structuring of Analysis Reports:

      1.1. Tactical Reports (Own Team and Opponent).

      1.2. Individual Reports.

      1.3. Set Piece Reports.

2.Visual Report Construction:

      2.1. Step-by-step guide to creating functional reports.

      2.2. Visual Presentation Tools: Keynote/PowerPoint.

3.Introduction to WyScout as an Analysis and Content Tool:

     3.1. Key Features and Usage (Search, Filtering, and Exporting).

     3.2. Integration of WyScout content into the Final Report.

1.Introduction to Métrica Playbase:

     1.1. Software Presentation and its Applications in Match Analysis.

     1.2. Interface and Essential Functionalities (Content Organization).

2.Practical Use of the Software for Analysis:

     2.1. Coding Game Events and Creating Playlists.

     2.2. Editing Video Clips and Segmenting Sequences.

     2.3. Creating Annotations and Telestration for Idea Communication.

3.Practical Cases and Real-Life Applications.

1.Simple Data Management and Analysis:

     1.1. Principles of organizing and structuring databases applied to Football.

     1.2. Creation and Maintenance of Simple Databases.

     1.3. Using Excel and Google Sheets for Basic Statistical Treatment, Table, and Chart Creation.

2.Data Visualization and Performance Optimization:

     2.1. Introduction to Creating Functional Analysis Dashboards.

     2.2. Database Platforms.

     2.3. Interpretation of Patterns and Trends through Dashboards.

3.Introduction to Scouting and Player Evaluation:

     3.1. Scouting Processes, Tools, and Software.

     3.2. Different Levels and Types of Scouting and the importance of Structured Observation.

     3.3. Using ScoutDecision Software for Player Evaluation and Data Management.

Investment

Registration and Payment

TRAINERS

The Professionals of This Course

Rúben Santos

Football Coach / Analyst

Rúben Santos

Currently: Coach / Analyst (Free Agent) Previously: Analyst and Assistant Coach at CD Trofense
Coach / Analyst: CD Trofense (Portugal), SC União Torreense (Portugal), CDC Montalegre (Portugal), A.D. Grijó (Portugal), Dragon Force (Portugal).
Academic Qualifications: University of Porto – Sports Faculty (FADEUP) Degree in Sports Sciences

João Teixeira

Football Coach / Analyst

João Teixeira

Currently:Match Analyst / Assistant Coach: Club Atlético Lanús (Argentina)
Coach / Analyst: Cádiz CF (Spain), Universidad de Chile (Chile), Vélez Sarsfield (Argentina). FC Porto / Dragon Force (Portugal)
Academic Qualifications: University of Porto – Sports Faculty (FADEUP) Master in High Performance Training – Football

André Monteiro

Football Coach / Analyst

André Monteiro

Currently: Football Coach / Analyst (Free Agent) Previously: Assistant Manager at Wolverhampton Wanderers FC
Coach / Analyst: Wolverhampton Wanderers (England), Al-Shabab (Saudi Arabia), Girondins de Bordeaux (France), Royal Excel Mouscron (Belgium), FC Porto (Portugal).
Academic Qualifications: University of Porto – Sports Faculty (FADEUP) Degree in Physical Education and Sports / Sports Sciences

Abel Pimenta

Football Coach / Analyst

Abel Pimenta

Currently: Football Coach / Analyst (Free Agent) Previously: Assistant Manager at LASK Linz (Austria)
Coach / Analyst: LASK Linz (Austria), Stade Rennais (France), SC Braga (Portugal), FC Arouca (Portugal), Gil Vicente (Portugal), Sevilla FC / Sevilla Atlético (Spain), Celta de Vigo (Spain)
Academic Qualifications: University of Porto – Sports Faculty (FADEUP) Master in High, Performance Training Degree in Sports Sciences

Ready to Transform Your Vision and Analysis of the Game?

Join a community of professionals who think football

The course will start on 20 October 2026.

Yes. If you request a cancellation up to 15 days before the course starts, you will receive a full refund.

For cancellations made between 14 days and 48 hours before the start of the course, a refund may still be issued, subject to an administrative fee, provided that the cancellation does not compromise the minimum number of participants required for the course to run.

Payment is divided into two instalments: the first instalment is paid at the time of enrolment, and the second instalment must be paid no later than 48 hours before the course starts.

A Game Analyst observes, interprets and organises information about their own team, opponents and players, with the aim of supporting the coaching staff’s decision-making process.

Their work may include tactical analysis, identifying patterns of play, individual player analysis, set-piece analysis, training and match analysis, video production and report creation.

More than simply collecting data or producing video clips, the analyst seeks to transform information into useful knowledge for coaches and players.

Game Analysis focuses primarily on understanding the performance of your own team and the opposition, identifying behaviours, patterns, trends, strengths and areas for improvement.

Scouting is more focused on observing, evaluating and identifying players, with the aim of understanding whether a particular player profile fits the needs, characteristics and context of a team or club.

Although they have different objectives, Game Analysis and Scouting share many tools and skills, including structured observation, video analysis, data analysis and report creation.

No. The course is structured to accommodate participants who are beginning their journey in Game Analysis, as well as coaches and football professionals who already have experience and want to deepen or systematise their knowledge.

Throughout the course, participants progressively explore key concepts, observation processes, professional workflows and tools used in Game Analysis and Scouting.

Throughout the course, different tools commonly used in professional Game Analysis and Scouting environments will be introduced and applied, including Wyscout, Metrica PlayBase and ScoutDecision.

Participants will also work with tools such as Excel and Google Sheets for organising and visualising data and creating dashboards, as well as PowerPoint/Keynote for producing and presenting visual reports.

The objective is not simply to learn how to use the software, but to understand when, why and how each tool can be integrated into a professional analysis workflow.

You do not need to have your own Wyscout or Metrica PlayBase licence before joining the course.

The tools are introduced within the context of the programme, and any access required for demonstrations or practical activities will be communicated to participants according to the requirements of each module.

Yes. The course is particularly relevant for coaches who want to improve their ability to observe and interpret the game, analyse their own team and the opposition, and transform that information into decisions for training and competition.

The programme aims to bring analysis closer to the coaching process by connecting observation and analysis with training planning, strategic match preparation and intervention on matchday.

Yes. The course is delivered 100% online, allowing participants to join from Portugal or from anywhere else in the world.

The edition starting on 20 October 2026 runs for 6 weeks, with sessions taking place on Tuesdays, from 8:00 pm to 12:00 am Lisbon time.

The programme also includes an exclusive online Masterclass, providing participants with an additional opportunity to deepen their knowledge and explore topics related to Game Analysis and Scouting from a professional football perspective.

Upon successful completion of the programme, participants receive a Certificate of Completion for the Game Analysis and Scouting in Football Course, issued by the Official School of Tactical Periodisation® by Vítor Frade®.

The course also awards 2.8 Credit Units (UC) for the renewal of the Portuguese Professional Sports Coach Licence — TPTD, subject to the applicable regulations.

The 2.8 Credit Units (UC) are continuing education credits recognised in Portugal for the renewal of the Professional Sports Coach Licence (Título Profissional de Treinador de Desporto — TPTD).

Under the current regulations, 3 UC are required to renew the TPTD, meaning that this course provides 2.8 of the 3 UC required, subject to the conditions applicable to the participant’s coaching level and licence validity period.

For distance-learning programmes, the IPDJ currently establishes a correspondence of 1 UC for every 10 hours of training.


Yes. As the programme is 100% online, you can attend from anywhere in the world.

You should simply take into account the time difference between your location and Portugal. The English-language edition takes place on Tuesdays, from 8:00 pm to 12:00 am Lisbon time.