A visual showing where shots were taken from, usually with size or color indicating xG. You can see at a glance whether a team is shooting from good or bad positions. Shot maps reveal patterns - a striker who only shoots from inside the six-yard box, or a midfielder who tries their luck from everywhere. Post-match analysis uses them constantly to show what chances were created.
Harry Kane's shot maps show why his goal-scoring is so efficient - the vast majority of his attempts come from high-xG areas inside the box, while lesser strikers have shot maps scattered all over the pitch with long-range efforts.
Robbie
Feb 5, 2026
The extra stoppage time that always seemed to appear when Manchester United needed a goal under Sir Alex Ferguson (1986-2013). Whether refs actually gave United more time is debatable, but they definitely scored a lot of late winners, especially at Old Trafford. Ferguson's touchline presence and United's habit of pushing until the final whistle made it feel like the clock would never run out on them.
Manchester United's 1999 Champions League final victory epitomized Fergie Time - trailing Bayern Munich 1-0, United scored twice in stoppage time (90+1 and 90+3 minutes) to complete an astonishing comeback.
Robbie
Feb 5, 2026
The foot that stays planted while you kick with the other. Where you place your standing foot affects the direction and power of your shot or pass. Too far from the ball and you lean back, skying it. Too close and you can't get a clean swing. Coaches drill standing foot placement into youth players because it's the foundation of good technique.
When pundits say a striker "got his body over the ball," they usually mean his standing foot was positioned correctly - planted close to the ball so he could lean forward and keep the shot down rather than blazing it over.
Robbie
Feb 5, 2026
How close together a team stays when defending. A compact shape has small gaps between players and lines, making it hard for opponents to play through. When compactness breaks down - players drift, lines stretch - holes appear. Analytics can measure it by tracking the distance between the deepest defender and highest attacker, or the space between lines. Staying compact requires discipline and fitness.
Atlético Madrid's compactness under Simeone made them incredibly hard to break down. The gap between their defensive and midfield lines was often less than 10 meters, leaving attackers with no space to receive between the lines.
Robbie
Feb 5, 2026
Passes that move the ball meaningfully towards the opponent's goal - usually defined as 10+ yards forward or any pass into the box. It separates useful possession from sideways passing. Players who rank high in progressive passes are the ones who actually move the ball into dangerous areas. Useful for spotting midfielders who drive play forward even if they don't score or assist much.
Toni Kroos consistently ranked among Europe's top midfielders for progressive passes, averaging over 8 per game - his ability to break lines with weighted through balls and diagonal switches made Real Madrid's build-up play among the most effective in the world.
Robbie
Feb 5, 2026