ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to raise awareness of the limits of match analysis and to encourage match analysts to critically question their own human limitations. Three aspects that can potentially have a distorting influence on the conclusions drawn by match analysts are discussed: First, the limited ability of humans to deal accurately with random events and probabilities that might lead to overexplaining. Second, the tendency of individuals to overestimate their own abilities. Third, the risk of being consciously or unconsciously influenced by internal and external expectations. The chapter provides illustrative examples of negative consequences of misjudgements in match analysis. Moreover, it presents a variety of scientific studies that aim at the data-based verification of observations and the quantification of random influence in sports games, both of which can help to minimise incorrect assessments in match analysis. This prepares match analysts for the difficult task of balancing intuitive perception and data-based scientific approaches in their daily work.
