A good report combines visualisations and context to tell a clear story for its recipients. Choosing the right tool involves balancing time investment against level of customisation.
Recommended Workflow
In OpenField Cloud, start with the Reporting Tab
Quick, valuable insights using pre-configured templates
Covers most concepts discussed previously (tags, average sets, contextual analysis)
Move to the Timeline Tab
Offers more flexibility for custom visualisations
Requires more time investment
Advanced Options
Export data as CSV for deeper analysis
Access via API for automated workflows or integration with other systems
Tips for Effective Reporting
Choose the Right Chart Type
Bar Charts: Compare actual vs reference values (e.g. training session vs match benchmark); use grouped or stacked bars for clear comparisons
Line Charts: Track trends over time; overlay reference lines or bands to show expected ranges
Scatter Plots: Show relationships between variables and highlight reference clusters or thresholds
Bullet Charts: Summarise performance against a target or reference
Heatmaps: Visualise deviations or density with colour intensity; ideal for large datasets
Incorporate Reference Indicators
Reference lines (horizontal or vertical) or bands for averages, thresholds, or targets (e.g. median performance)
Shaded areas to indicate expected ranges (e.g. optimal training intensity)
Use Clear Labels and Titles
Label all axes and define units (meters, %, etc.)
Add descriptive titles (e.g. “Player Performance vs Matchday Averages”)
Leverage Colours Effectively
Use contrast for actual vs reference values
Gradients to indicate intensity of deviations
Consistent colour schemes to avoid confusion
Show Percentages or Deviations
Display % difference from reference in the chart (e.g. +20% above matchday average)
Use diverging colour palettes for positive and negative deviations
Aggregate Data Where Necessary
Group by categories (e.g. player positions) to identify patterns
Show individual performances alongside team averages
Focus on Simplicity
Avoid overcrowding charts with data or complex layouts
Prioritise key messages using whitespace effectively
Reporting Options
Provides a team overview across daily, weekly, and monthly cycles
Highlights flagged athletes or emerging team trends
Offers in-depth, session-level analysis
Breaks down performance by periods or individual athletes
Compares sessions with matchday benchmarks to assess if team goals are met or if any athletes require top-up sessions
Delivers individualised session insights
Includes volume, intensity, heatmaps, and MD comparison percentages for detailed tactical analysis of the athlete
Provides insights into team and athlete progress over a selected time period
Enables weekly or monthly analysis to track increases or decreases in performance
Includes the Acute:Chronic Workload Ratio (ACWR) to identify potential overtraining
Compares team totals with previous matches
Focuses on meaningful, actionable team outputs
Summarises total weekly loads and compares them with historical weeks
Presents team's load as an average of the weekly load of each player (e.g. ‘Last week, each player averaged 25 km of total distance’)
Customising Parameters
You can customise which metrics appear in your reports by editing the Reporting_Parameters group.
Timeline Tab
Widgets
Cloud Widgets are the foundation of the Timeline. The key features we recommend are:
Wizard: Step-by-step guidance for selecting tables/graphs
Filters: Refine your visualisation by selecting which data to include, even when handling multiple activities
Database Settings: Switch between period or annotation data structure
Comparisons: Incorporate Average Set results
Formatting the Data: Highlight key aspects in your charts
Training Wizard
Plan training days based on coach-defined loads using your established period naming strategy
Exporting Reports
Reports can typically be exported as CSV or PDF files.
PDF Export
Create, export to PDF and share multiple reports with tables and graphs
Tailor reports for coaches or athletes
Send via email, individually or in bulk
Local CSV Export (CTR Export)
Generate a CTR Export (CSV) to locally export your data, individually or in bulk
Includes activity & period summary data for each athlete, and tags
Ideal for building longitudinal databases
Use parameter groups to avoid exporting unnecessary data
API
API Token Generation
API Tokens allow access to your OpenField account for integration
API Connect Documentation
Connect API guide provides overview of our API, including test calls examples
Enables automated reporting and advanced analysis
Catapult Athlete App
Catapult Athlete App empowers athletes by giving them access to their session data on their phone
Allows optional remote uploads for monitoring load of loaned, rehab, or off-season players
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