Half-to-Half Shape Change Analysis

Comparing a team's passing network and player positioning between the first and second half reveals whether tactical adjustments took effect and what changed structurally. The analysis answers: did the halftime intervention change who is involved, where they're positioned, and whether that change led to better outcomes? It's the primary data-driven tool for evaluating in-game tactical adjustments.

Build two passing networks (or positional heatmaps) — one per half — from the same match. Compare: (1) which players' involvement increased/decreased; (2) which connections appeared or disappeared; (3) whether xG contribution improved in the second half. An effective halftime adjustment shows a changed network structure and improved xG output. A failed adjustment shows a changed structure with no xG improvement — or no change at all.

1. Judging the adjustment by the result: A 2-0 loss in the second half doesn't mean the adjustment failed — check xG. A 1-0 win doesn't mean it succeeded.
2. Only looking at substitutions as the adjustment: Positional instructions without personnel changes can produce equally large network shifts.