Soccermatics

Name: Soccermatics
Author: David Sumpter

David Sumpter

Discover how mathematics and data reveal football’s hidden patterns, from passing and shot quality to the tactics and decisions that separate winning teams from the rest.

15 min7 Chapters

Listen to the intro

0:47

Science & Technology

Psychology

Education & Creativity

Outline

What's it about?

Soccermatics (2016) explores how mathematics and data can reveal the hidden patterns behind football. David Sumpter applies concepts from geometry, probability, statistics, and collective behaviour to explain passing networks, team formations, player movement, tactics, and goal scoring. Through real matches and accessible examples, the book shows how mathematical thinking can deepen our understanding of the game without taking away its excitement and unpredictability.

Key ideas

Mathematics and data can reveal hidden patterns in football that are easy to miss by simply watching a match.
Ideas from geometry, probability, statistics and collective behaviour can be applied directly to how teams play.
Passing networks and team formations can be studied mathematically to explain how a team is organised on the pitch.
Player movement, tactics and goal scoring can all be analysed using data drawn from real matches.
Mathematical thinking deepens our understanding of the game without removing its excitement and unpredictability.

About the author

David Sumpter is a British mathematician, author, and professor of applied mathematics at Uppsala University in Sweden. His research focuses on collective behaviour and the mathematical patterns that shape the actions of animals, people, and sports teams. He has also advised leading football clubs on data analytics and is known for making complex mathematical ideas engaging and accessible to general readers. Macmillan

Questions people ask

What is Soccermatics about?

Soccermatics by David Sumpter explains how mathematics and data can uncover the hidden patterns behind football, from passing and formations to tactics and goal scoring.

Who is Soccermatics for?

It suits football fans curious about the thinking behind the game and anyone interested in seeing how mathematics and data apply to a familiar subject. The examples are accessible and drawn from real matches.

How long does the Soccermatics summary take on Durar?

The Durar summary takes about 15 minutes to read or listen to. It covers how David Sumpter uses geometry, probability and statistics to explain what happens on the pitch.