DeepMind researchers pioneered a model capable of anticipating penalty kick directions based on players’ positions on the field. Subsequently, they advanced to a model analyzing game footage to predict player movements, even when they ventured off-screen. Yet, as Petar Veličković, a staff research scientist at Google DeepMind, explains, these systems fell short of providing actionable insights to coaches in real-world scenarios. Their quest for a more practical solution led to the birth of TacticAI.

Originally conceived as a predictive tool for open play, TacticAI’s early iteration could assess games and inform coaches about potential passing recipients or opportunities for goal-scoring. However, Liverpool’s analysts and coaches advocated for a more focused approach, suggesting a concentration on corner kicks. These set pieces, occurring approximately 10 times per game, offer a strategic pause where teams can swing the ball into the box. Despite this opportunity, only a small fraction result in goals. Recognizing the significance of improving corner strategies, Veličković emphasizes the potential competitive advantage such enhancements could yield over a season.

Drawing from player-tracking data encompassing thousands of Premier League corners from 2020 to 2021, the researchers utilized graph representation to model player arrangements. Leveraging geometric deep learning, which capitalizes on the field’s symmetry, the model efficiently processed vast amounts of data. This innovative approach generated tools beneficial for soccer coaches. TacticAI, analyzing player positions at corner kick moments, predicts potential first ball contacts and shot probabilities. Subsequently, it offers recommendations to optimize player positioning and movement, whether to maximize attacking opportunities or minimize defensive vulnerabilities.

Liverpool’s soccer experts particularly appreciated TacticAI’s ability to identify critical attackers and defensive lapses. This granular insight, according to Veličković, streamlines the process of identifying weaknesses in opponents’ defenses or refining team performances during training. TacticAI provides a comprehensive solution to track player movements and suggest strategic adjustments, ultimately enhancing teams’ corner kick execution and defensive resilience.