Traditional counting statistics continue to hold immense value in football due to their descriptive power and ease of communication, but we can also go beyond them to produce skill and value-based models that provide even greater insight into team and player performance.
On-Ball Value (OBV) is one such model. Developed by Hudl Statsbomb and available across 140+ competitions worldwide, it assigns a value to each action a player takes in line with the positive or negative impact it has on the probability of their team scoring and conceding.
This provides a more accurate picture of the value each player adds with their actions, particularly those related to ball progression, and allows for a more rounded analysis of risk and reward. For instance, does the value a player adds with successful dribbles and carries outweigh the negative consequences when they lose the ball?
Here are some quick examples of how OBV can be used in both match analysis and recruitment workflows.
On-Ball Value in Opposition Analysis
Where are Opponents Most Dangerous?
OBV provides a rapid means of identifying the areas of the pitch in which an upcoming opponent creates an above-average amount of value.
From there, you can drill down further to establish which individual players add most value in those zones and visualize their most dangerous actions.
This information can quickly guide further video and data analysis to establish strategies to limit the team’s effectiveness in the zones in which they usually generate most danger.
Where are Opponents Most Vulnerable?
There is also merit in looking at the reverse of that: in which areas of the pitch does an upcoming opponent concede value?
From there, you could analyze the proportion of that value conceded from carries versus passes to get further insight into the type of actions with which opponents have been able to generate value in those zones.
Again, this provides an easy starting point for further analysis that can inform matchday strategy.
On-Ball Value in Recruitment
Finding High-Value Dribblers and Ball Carriers
Traditionally, ball progression has been measured through a player’s ability to pass or carry the ball into zones like the final third or the penalty area. While there remains value in that approach, these are, in reality, arbitrary cutoffs.
OBV allows you to measure the value of the specific areas that a player is able to progress the ball into, whilst also taking into account the starting point and context of the pass or carry, providing a more holistic measurement that also balances the positive contributions from completed actions against the value lost through turnovers of possession.
For example, you can easily identify a shortlist of young wingers that add significant value through dribbles and carries, and from there conduct further data and video analysis to filter down to those who best fit your style of play.
It is also possible to analyze actions originating in specific areas of the pitch. For example, you could identify the midfielders who add most value with dribbles and carries through the center or the full-backs who add most value after receiving the ball in their own half.
Establishing Risk/Reward Profiles
OBV provides a valuation framework that allows you to identify players whose risk profiles best fit your game model.
For example, if you employ an active high press you might be more comfortable with your central attacking midfielder attempting high-risk, high-reward passes knowing that you will be able to quickly counterpress if the ball is lost.
But if you are more of a counter-attacking team that relies on the ball-carrying ability of your wingers to advance the ball forward, you might want a central attacking midfielder who takes less risks in possession and simply helps move the ball on to your most dangerous attackers.
OBV allows you to quickly find the right profile.
Advanced Data that Streamlines Decisions
On-Ball Value (OBV) is just one of the many advanced metrics and models that make Hudl Statsbomb global football’s trusted analytics partner.
From metrics like Pressures, Pass Footedness and Shot Impact Height to advanced models such as Statsbomb xG, xPass and Pass Clustering, Statsbomb data provides decision-makers with reliable and actionable insights.
Do you work for a club, league or federation? Want to get a hands-on feel for the value of Hudl Statsbomb data? Get in touch today to request a free trial.
