Enhanced Football Intelligence (EFI) is a modern data acquisition and public presentation system for match statistics. It is available exclusively on FIFA Training Centre and is used in the matches they present. Snippets of this data are provided during match broadcasts and made publicly available in PDF format after the games.
EFI differs from traditional data sources by providing extensive tracking data to the public, captured through a multi-camera optical tracking system. Unlike traditional action data, tracking data measures not only on-the-ball actions but also off-the-ball movements and player positioning across the field. Historically, this data was withheld from the public and accessible only to teams via player monitoring systems.
For more information and video explainers, please visit FIFA Training Centre Metrics.
Possession
Traditional possession percentage data has been widely used for years, but EFI enhances this metric by introducing two new categories: In Contest and Out of Play. Out of Play time is excluded from the calculation, and the data is presented as possession percentages for Team A, Team B, and In Contest.
In Contest refers to moments when neither team has clear control of the ball. For example, this can occur when a defender blocks a pass, leaving the ball loose in the middle of the field.
For more information and video explainers, please visit EFI Metric – Possession Control.
Phases of Play
This data is presented in percentage form based on the time each team spends in specific phases. It is divided into three main categories: In Possession, Out of Possession, and Set Play Phases. Set Play Phases are excluded from the Out of Possession calculation but included as a subcategory under In Possession.
In Possession occurs when a team has control of the ball, while Out of Possession refers to when the opponent has control. Both categories are further divided into several subcategories. Note: The percentages may not total exactly 100% due to overlaps and subcategory phases that are not always clearly defined.
In Possession Categories:
- Build-Up: The Build-Up phase occurs when a team initiates attacking play using short, side-to-side passes to move the ball forward.
- Unopposed: The defensive team applies minimal pressure.
- Opposed: The defensive team applies defensive pressure.
2. Progression: The Progression phase happens when a team moves the ball vertically through defensive lines, either by passing or carrying the ball.
3. Final Third: The Final Third phase occurs when an attacking team has possession of the ball in the opponent’s final third of the field
4. Long Ball: The Long Ball phase is characterized by a pass that bypasses the defense by going over it.
5. Attacking Transition: The Attacking Transition phase occurs when a team that was defending regains possession and immediately begins moving the ball forward in attack.
6. Counter Attack: The Counter Attack phase happens when a team quickly moves the ball into open space left by the opposing team during a failed attack.
7. Set Piece: The Set Piece phase refers to “dead-ball” situations, such as throw-ins, free kicks, or corner kicks.
Out Of Possession Categories:
- Press: The Press phase occurs when a defensive team applies pressure to the attacking team. This involves multiple defenders working together.
2. Block: The Block phase occurs when the defensive team is organized into a recognizable shape, usually consisting of horizontal lines across the field.
3. High/Mid/Low: The Press and Block phases are further divided based on field zones:
- High Zone: The area furthest from the defending team’s goal.
- Mid Zone: The middle third of the field.
- Low Zone: The area closest to the defending team’s goal.
4. Recovery: The Recovery phase occurs when the defensive team moves toward their own goal, often without applying pressure, with the intent of reforming their defensive shape.
5. Defensive Transition: The Defensive Transition phase begins immediately after a team loses possession and switches to defense.
6. Counter Press: The Counter Press phase occurs when a team, after transitioning from attack to defense, applies pressure to regain possession before settling into a Block or Press phase.
For more information and video explainers, please visit EFI Metric – Phases of Play.
Ball Recovery Time
Ball Recovery Time measures the amount of time, in seconds, it takes for a team to regain possession after losing it. This metric is presented as an average across the game.
Between possessions, the ball may be either in the opponent’s control or classified as In Contest, where neither team has clear possession.
For more information and video explainers, please visit EFI Metric – Ball Recovery Time.
Line Breaks
What Are Lines:
Lines are formed when a defensive team establishes their shape, with players arranged in horizontal lines across the field. At any given moment, a team may have between two to four lines or units. These lines typically occur in the following order, starting from the area closest to the defending team’s goal: Defensive Line, Midfield Line, Attacking Midfield Line, and Attacking Line.
Line Breaks:
A Line Break occurs when an attacking team successfully moves the ball past one of these defensive lines. To qualify as a Line Break, the ball must pass the defender closest to the goal they are defending.
Types of Line Breaks:
There are three primary ways an attacking team can break a defensive line:
- Pass: Moving the ball past a defensive line through a traditional pass.
- Cross: A long, mostly horizontal pass, often aimed toward wide areas of the field.
- Ball Progression: When a player carries or dribbles the ball past a defensive line.
Line Break Directions:
An attacking team can attempt to break a defensive line in three directions:
- Through: Moving the ball directly through the middle of the defensive line.
- Around: Moving the ball around the line, typically between a defender and the sideline.
- Over: Moving the ball through the air, over the defensive line.
For more information and video explainers, please visit EFI Metric – Line Breaks.
Receptions and Offers
What are Receptions and Offers:
An Offer occurs when an attacking player positions themselves to be available to receive a pass from their teammates. A Reception happens when the player successfully receives the ball.
Additional Details:
Numerous additional metrics are calculated for both team-wide and individual player Offers and Receptions. These include:
- Location on the Pitch: Where the Offers and Receptions occur.
- Phase of Play: The game phase during which the actions take place.
- Player Movement: Whether the player was moving or stationary at the time of the action.
For more information and video explainers, please visit EFI Metric – Receptions Behind Midfield and Defensive Lines.
Line Heights and Team Lengths
Line Heights and Team Lengths provide insights into the positioning of a team’s players on the field during different In Possession and Out of Possession phases. The goalkeeper is excluded from these calculations.
These metrics are measured in meters and include:
- The average distance from the defender closest to the goal line.
- The distance to the attacker furthest from that defender.
- The horizontal spread of the team, measured from the player furthest to the left to the player furthest to the right.
Additionally, these measurements are used to calculate the area occupied by the team during a phase, expressed in square meters.
For more information and video explainers, please visit EFI Metric – Defensive Line Height and Team Length.
Forced Turnovers
Forced Turnovers occur when Defensive Pressure applied by the defending team leads to a change in possession.
In the initial PDF documents, there was a column for Forced Turnovers at the individual player level, but it consistently showed “0.” Although it was stated that Forced Turnovers would be measured as both a team and individual player metric, it is currently only available as a team metric.
For more information and video explainers, please visit EFI Metric – Forced Turnovers.
Defensive Pressure
What is Pressure?
Pressure occurs when a defensive player closes down space and approaches an attacking player who has possession of the ball. Several subcategories of Defensive Pressure are measured:
1. Direct Pressure
This occurs when a defensive player moves aggressively and swiftly toward an attacking player.
2. Pushing On
This occurs when a defensive player puts pressure on an attacking player before they receive the ball.
3. Pushing On Into Pressing
This happens when a defensive player’s Pushing On action transitions into a Pressing action as soon as the attacking player receives the ball.
4. Pressing Direction: Inside/Outside
This refers to the direction in which a defensive player’s pressing action forces the attacking player to move.
- For example, if the defensive player’s pressure forces the attacking player toward the middle of the field, it is categorized as Inside.
5. Average Pressure Duration
This metric measures the average time (in seconds) that each pressing action lasts during the match.
For more information and video explainers, please visit EFI Metric – Pressure on the Ball.
Additional/Miscellaneous
1. Second Balls
The recovery of a loose ball after a defensive event.
2. Possession Actions/Defensive Actions
This is a ratio that compares a team’s total possession actions to their defensive actions. A higher ratio typically indicates that the team had more of the attacking play.
- Note: The name is similar to “Passes per Defensive Action” (PPDA), but it measures something entirely different.
3. Ball Progression
Attempting to move past one or more defensive players while carrying the ball (dribbling).
4. Take On
Attempting to dribble past one or more defensive players directly.
5. Step In
Carrying the ball, either under defensive pressure or unopposed, into a zone of open space.
6. Possession Interrupted
When a defensive player disrupts the attacking team’s possession, but the attacking team ultimately retains the ball.
For more information on additional terms, please visit FIFA Training Centre and use the search bar to look for “Football Language” items.