ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the historical development of match analysis, with a special focus on positional data analysis as it emerged in the new millennium. Important milestones and pioneers in the evolution of match analysis include Hugh Fullerton and his article on baseball statistics; Lloyd Messersmith and his hand notational system for basketball; Charles Reep and his works on football statistics and tactics; Ralf Rangnick’s work when coaching TSG Hoffenheim; the start of commercial tracking technologies using GPS or cameras; the emergence of Amisco and Prozone; and the beginning of understanding the subject scientifically. Interviews with Prof. Dr. Lames from TU Munich and Prof. Dr. Perl discuss match analysis as a research field worldwide and their important contributions to the field.
