TactiQuest
Role
User Research, Prototyping,
Augmented Reality, UI Design
Course
Final Project, CIID
9 Weeks, May 2025 - July 2025
Tools
Unity 3D, Figma, C#
Advisor
TactiQuest
Role
User Research, Prototyping,
Augmented Reality, UI Design
Course
Final Project, CIID
9 Weeks, May 2025 - July 2025
Tools
Unity 3D, Figma, C#
Advisor
Why football?
Why football?
You might be wondering what inspired me to pursue this project on football. As you can probably guess, I’m a passionate football fan and a devoted supporter of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club. Football has always been part of my life — my grandfather was a professional player in the 1960s, so the sport runs in my blood.
Coming from a country where football is immensely popular but the national team consistently struggles, I’ve often asked myself why the performance doesn’t match the passion. This curiosity motivated me to explore the deeper layers of the game — understanding how football truly works, the journey young players take, and how cultural and environmental factors shape their development into successful athletes.
You might be wondering what inspired me to pursue this project on football. As you can probably guess, I’m a passionate football fan and a devoted supporter of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club. Football has always been part of my life — my grandfather was a professional player in the 1960s, so the sport runs in my blood.
Coming from a country where football is immensely popular but the national team consistently struggles, I’ve often asked myself why the performance doesn’t match the passion. This curiosity motivated me to explore the deeper layers of the game — understanding how football truly works, the journey young players take, and how cultural and environmental factors shape their development into successful athletes.
picture of my grandfather as a professional football player in 1960s.
picture of my grandfather as a professional football player in 1960s.
Indian football academy kids playing football.
Indian football academy kids playing football.
Formation - Where players stand on the field.
Pressing - When your whole team chases the ball together to win it back fast.
Counter Attack - When your team gets the ball and quickly runs toward the other goal before the other team is ready.
Spacing - Moving away from defenders so your teammates can pass to you.
Marking - Staying close to an opponent so they can’t get the ball easily.
What is Football Tactic?
What is Football Tactic?
When I began my initial research, I realized that football is far more than just kicking a ball — it’s a deeply strategic game where every pass, movement, and decision is part of a bigger plan. Beneath the physical play lies a psychological layer — a mind game — that often determines success or failure. This is where tactics come in.
In essence, football tactics are the blueprint of how a team plays. They represent the coach’s vision — a structured plan that defines how players position themselves, how they move collectively, and how they respond to different situations on the pitch. Tactics guide the team’s rhythm, communication, and overall decision-making.
Good tactics give players clarity and purpose. They transform individual skill into coordinated teamwork, allowing players to anticipate each other’s actions and make faster, smarter decisions. In modern football, tactics are constantly evolving, influenced by data analysis, player versatility, and the dynamic flow of the game.
Understanding tactics helped me see football as a complex system of strategy, communication, and adaptability — not just a sport, but a thoughtful design of movement and collaboration.
Tactics is classified into 5 types:
Formation
Pressing
Spacing
Marking
Counter Attack
When I began my initial research, I realized that football is far more than just kicking a ball — it’s a deeply strategic game where every pass, movement, and decision is part of a bigger plan. Beneath the physical play lies a psychological layer — a mind game — that often determines success or failure. This is where tactics come in.
In essence, football tactics are the blueprint of how a team plays. They represent the coach’s vision — a structured plan that defines how players position themselves, how they move collectively, and how they respond to different situations on the pitch. Tactics guide the team’s rhythm, communication, and overall decision-making.
Good tactics give players clarity and purpose. They transform individual skill into coordinated teamwork, allowing players to anticipate each other’s actions and make faster, smarter decisions. In modern football, tactics are constantly evolving, influenced by data analysis, player versatility, and the dynamic flow of the game.
Understanding tactics helped me see football as a complex system of strategy, communication, and adaptability — not just a sport, but a thoughtful design of movement and collaboration.
Tactics is classified into 5 types:
Formation
Pressing
Spacing
Marking
Counter Attack
Formation - Where players stand on the field.
Pressing - When your whole team chases the ball together to win it back fast.
Spacing - Moving away from defenders so your teammates can pass to you.
Marking - Staying close to an opponent so they can’t get the ball easily.
Counter Attack - When your team gets the ball and quickly runs toward the other goal before the other team is ready.
Initial Exploration
Initial Exploration
I began my exploration by examining the tools currently available in the market that focus on football development. These tools can generally be categorized into two main types:
Individual Analysis – Tools that evaluate a player’s skill level, as well as their physical and mental health.
Team-Based Analysis – Tools that concentrate on teamwork, strategy, and overall tactical performance.
I also researched the stages of children’s development to understand when and how they start learning tactics. Through this, I realized the crucial role tactical understanding plays at a young age. Developing tactical awareness early offers several key benefits:
Builds game intelligence and enhances decision-making skills
Improves communication with teammates and coaches
Increases confidence by helping players understand what to do in different situations
Makes the game more fun and engaging
Reduces frustration when challenges arise
Empowers kids to take initiative and lead, rather than just follow
I began my exploration by examining the tools currently available in the market that focus on football development. These tools can generally be categorized into two main types:
Individual Analysis – Tools that evaluate a player’s skill level, as well as their physical and mental health.
Team-Based Analysis – Tools that concentrate on teamwork, strategy, and overall tactical performance.
I also researched the stages of children’s development to understand when and how they start learning tactics. Through this, I realized the crucial role tactical understanding plays at a young age. Developing tactical awareness early offers several key benefits:
Builds game intelligence and enhances decision-making skills
Improves communication with teammates and coaches
Increases confidence by helping players understand what to do in different situations
Makes the game more fun and engaging
Reduces frustration when challenges arise
Empowers kids to take initiative and lead, rather than just follow
Spacing - Moving away from defenders so your teammates can pass to you.
Marking - Staying close to an opponent so they can’t get the ball easily.
Counter Attack - When your team gets the ball and quickly runs toward the other goal before the other team is ready.
Formation - Where players stand on the field.
Pressing - When your whole team chases the ball together to win it back fast.
Exploring the VR game called beYourBest which helps in improving game vision in a VR space.
Levels of how to become a Professional football players
Exploring the VR game called beYourBest which helps in improving game vision in a VR space.
Levels of how to become a Professional football players
Interviews
Interviews
After exploring and understanding what football tactics are, how the game truly works, and why tactical learning is important for young players—as well as researching existing tools in the market—I felt it was the right time to speak with people who have real-life experience in youth football. I decided to focus on three key groups: parents, coaches, and young players. This led me to the opportunity to talk with some amazing individuals and gain valuable insights from their experiences.
After exploring and understanding what football tactics are, how the game truly works, and why tactical learning is important for young players—as well as researching existing tools in the market—I felt it was the right time to speak with people who have real-life experience in youth football. I decided to focus on three key groups: parents, coaches, and young players. This led me to the opportunity to talk with some amazing individuals and gain valuable insights from their experiences.
Russ Hullet
UEFA A Pro Licensed Coach
Megumi Kosaka
UEFA A Pro Licensed Coach
Enrico Merelli
Amateur Coach
Chris Downs
Parent
Kana Kurihara
Parents
Cooper Downs
Former Youth Player
Chokchey Cappai
Former Youth Player
Graham Marshall
Parent and Amateur Coach
Findings and insights
Findings and insights
🧠 Spatial Awareness
Youth players often find it difficult to understand space, positioning, and timing—especially without clear visual support or interactive examples.
“Some of my teammates weren’t clear about tactics because coaches were not good teachers.”
“How do I know that my kid’s club is developing him properly? What do I look for in a club, a coach, etc. If I know that then I can relax and let them do their job while I supplement. If I don't know then I'm always worried about what's happening at the club.”
🧠 Spatial Awareness
Youth players often find it difficult to understand space, positioning, and timing—especially without clear visual support or interactive examples.
“Some of my teammates weren’t clear about tactics because coaches were not good teachers.”
“How do I know that my kid’s club is developing him properly? What do I look for in a club, a coach, etc. If I know that then I can relax and let them do their job while I supplement. If I don't know then I'm always worried about what's happening at the club.”
😰 Fear of Judgement
Fear of failure, particularly in front of coaches or teammates, holds them back from experimenting or asking questions, especially when coaches don’t emphasize tactical learning.
“The best young players are the ones who come from the orphanage.”
“Coaches knew about football, but they don’t know about education, so they don’t know how to teach.”
“Your potential is limited by the tactics of your coach.”
😰 Fear of Judgement
Fear of failure, particularly in front of coaches or teammates, holds them back from experimenting or asking questions, especially when coaches don’t emphasize tactical learning.
“The best young players are the ones who come from the orphanage.”
“Coaches knew about football, but they don’t know about education, so they don’t know how to teach.”
“Your potential is limited by the tactics of your coach.”
👥 Inclusiveness
At home, kids rarely talk about tactics with their parents, as they often feel their parents lack football knowledge.
“I rarely talk about tactics or football in general to my parents.”
👥 Inclusiveness
At home, kids rarely talk about tactics with their parents, as they often feel their parents lack football knowledge.
“I rarely talk about tactics or football in general to my parents.”
🧏🏻 Communication Gap
Underlying tension between coaches and parents can further limit a child’s ability to build confidence and develop a deeper understanding of the game.
“Parents can either be great or they can be a pain in the a**.”
“Coaches knew about football, but they don’t know about education, so they don’t know how to teach.”
🧏🏻 Communication Gap
Underlying tension between coaches and parents can further limit a child’s ability to build confidence and develop a deeper understanding of the game.
“Parents can either be great or they can be a pain in the a**.”
“Coaches knew about football, but they don’t know about education, so they don’t know how to teach.”
After listening to these insightful conversations and understanding their challenges, two key issues consistently emerged: communication and understanding football tactics.
While exploring both, I chose not to pursue the communication gap challenge. Coaches were often reluctant to engage with parents, while parents wanted to influence their child’s football development—creating a persistent conflict of interest that seemed difficult to resolve.
Through a process of elimination, I decided to focus on the second challenge—helping kids better understand football tactics in a simple and engaging way.
After listening to these insightful conversations and understanding their challenges, two key issues consistently emerged: communication and understanding football tactics.
While exploring both, I chose not to pursue the communication gap challenge. Coaches were often reluctant to engage with parents, while parents wanted to influence their child’s football development—creating a persistent conflict of interest that seemed difficult to resolve.
Through a process of elimination, I decided to focus on the second challenge—helping kids better understand football tactics in a simple and engaging way.
Exploring the VR game called beYourBest which helps in improving game vision in a VR space.
Levels of how to become a Professional football players
Prototypes
Prototypes
Initial prototypes
Initial prototypes
Initially, my first prototype aimed to explore the parent–child relationship in the context of learning and understanding football tactics at home. To do this, I created a football tactics board game that involved the use of dice and cards.
But before starting, I asked myself an important question — why a board game? The reasons were:
Playing board games has been shown to improve working memory, attention, and problem-solving skills in children.
Emotional Competence: Engaging in board games can enhance emotional understanding and reduce behavioral problems in school-age children.
Social Interaction: Board games promote cooperation, turn-taking, and other prosocial behaviors.
Initially, my first prototype aimed to explore the parent–child relationship in the context of learning and understanding football tactics at home. To do this, I created a football tactics board game that involved the use of dice and cards.
But before starting, I asked myself an important question — why a board game? The reasons were:
Playing board games has been shown to improve working memory, attention, and problem-solving skills in children.
Emotional Competence: Engaging in board games can enhance emotional understanding and reduce behavioral problems in school-age children.
Social Interaction: Board games promote cooperation, turn-taking, and other prosocial behaviors.
Board Game with lego piece set and how the board looks
Cards to be used in the board game
Board Game with lego piece set and how the board looks
Cards to be used in the board game
While the idea of a board game initially seemed promising, once I began testing it with participants, several challenges became apparent. Players struggled to understand the game’s concept and rules, and the numerous constraints made the experience less enjoyable.
This led me to one of the most important insights from this prototype:
Designing a game is much harder than I expected.
This realization encouraged me to continue exploring and developing new prototypes.
While the idea of a board game initially seemed promising, once I began testing it with participants, several challenges became apparent. Players struggled to understand the game’s concept and rules, and the numerous constraints made the experience less enjoyable.
This led me to one of the most important insights from this prototype:
Designing a game is much harder than I expected.
This realization encouraged me to continue exploring and developing new prototypes.
Other prototypes
Other prototypes
After identifying the main challenges through testing the board games with participants, I began creating a series of simple prototypes, gradually improving them based on user feedback:
Paper Prototype: I started with an A4 sheet representing a football field, using Post-its as buttons and circular tokens as players. This gave me the basic structure for my final prototype.
Card Game: Next, I designed a football-themed card game, similar to Uno, where players learn tactics while playing. This concept inspired the idea of using hints in my later prototypes.
Magnetic Tokens: I then created movable magnetic tokens to simulate football movements, which introduced the idea of animated tactical scenarios and elevated the interactivity of my prototype.
Projection Game: Combining these ideas, I built an interactive projection game using Makey Makey and a Figma prototype. Although it showed potential, I realized that projection doesn’t work well in bright environments—and since football is played outdoors, this setup wasn’t practical.
Taking all these insights together, I decided to develop my final prototype in augmented reality (AR). This approach allows the tool to be used in open spaces, making it accessible through a mobile phone or tablet.
After identifying the main challenges through testing the board games with participants, I began creating a series of simple prototypes, gradually improving them based on user feedback:
Paper Prototype: I started with an A4 sheet representing a football field, using Post-its as buttons and circular tokens as players. This gave me the basic structure for my final prototype.
Card Game: Next, I designed a football-themed card game, similar to Uno, where players learn tactics while playing. This concept inspired the idea of using hints in my later prototypes.
Magnetic Tokens: I then created movable magnetic tokens to simulate football movements, which introduced the idea of animated tactical scenarios and elevated the interactivity of my prototype.
Projection Game: Combining these ideas, I built an interactive projection game using Makey Makey and a Figma prototype. Although it showed potential, I realized that projection doesn’t work well in bright environments—and since football is played outdoors, this setup wasn’t practical.
Taking all these insights together, I decided to develop my final prototype in augmented reality (AR). This approach allows the tool to be used in open spaces, making it accessible through a mobile phone or tablet.
Board Game with lego piece set and how the board looks
Cards to be used in the board game
A normal football pitch prototype with player token.
Card game with football attributes to learn the game better.
A magnetic board with magnetic token to move the players around.
Projection game using a projector
Projector set for the projection game
Gameplay for the projection to be taught by the soccer coaches.
A normal football pitch prototype with player token.
Card game with football attributes to learn the game better.
A magnetic board with magnetic token to move the players around.
Projection game using a projector
A normal football pitch prototype with player token.
Card game with football attributes to learn the game better.
A magnetic board with magnetic token to move the players around.
Projection game using a projector
Projector set for the projection game
Gameplay for the projection to be taught by the soccer coaches.
Projector set for the projection game
Gameplay for the projection to be taught by the soccer coaches.
After exploring all these prototypes, I decided to combine the key elements from each of them into a single, cohesive concept.
After exploring all these prototypes, I decided to combine the key elements from each of them into a single, cohesive concept.
Introducing TactiQuest
Introducing TactiQuest
TactiQuest is an AR-based app that makes learning football tactics fun and engaging for kids. It allows them to explore and practice tactical concepts interactively—whether at home, in coaching facilities, or anywhere they play.
But the main question is why make a tactical game in Augmented Reality, well some of the major reasons were:
AR transforms flat diagrams into real-world scenarios, they can move around which helps kids grasp tactics better when they can see spatial movement in 3D.
Moving players, responding to scenarios — this creates muscle memory + game sense instead of listening to a coach or watching static videos, kids are actively involved.
It becomes a shared learning experience, not just a solo one as screen-based interaction lets parents or coaches guide without needing tech expertise.
It fits into the digital habits of today’s kids as they’re already used to interactive apps, games, and mobile screens.
What they learn on the screen, they apply on the pitch as kids don’t just memorize positions — they develop anticipation and timing.
TactiQuest is an AR-based app designed to help kids learn football tactics in a fun, interactive way—right from home or at your coaching facilities or anywhere they are.
But the main question is why make a tactical game in Augmented Reality, well some of the major reasons were:
AR transforms flat diagrams into real-world scenarios, they can move around which helps kids grasp tactics better when they can see spatial movement in 3D.
Moving players, responding to scenarios — this creates muscle memory + game sense instead of listening to a coach or watching static videos, kids are actively involved.
It becomes a shared learning experience, not just a solo one as screen-based interaction lets parents or coaches guide without needing tech expertise.
It fits into the digital habits of today’s kids as they’re already used to interactive apps, games, and mobile screens.
What they learn on the screen, they apply on the pitch as kids don’t just memorize positions — they develop anticipation and timing.
How to play
How to play
The game begins with a loading screen. Once it’s done, you’ll see three main options:
What is Tactics
Rules of the Game
Play Game
Learn the Basics
Tap What is Tactics to read a short introduction explaining the concept of tactics in football.
Tap Rules of the Game to explore all the basic rules and instructions you need before playing.
Get Ready to Play
After understanding the basics, click Ready to Play. You’ll be redirected to a screen where you can choose a position to explore.
Choose Your Position
Select Defense (or any available position). You’ll then see a page with simple instructions. When you’re ready, tap Ready to Play again.
Set Up the Game Field
You’ll be prompted to find an A4-size football field page.
Once you scan it, a 3D football field will appear, and an animated match scenario will play out.Analyze and Respond
After the animation, a question appears based on the scenario.
When you’re ready to answer, click Move Player.Solve the Challenge
Drag and place the player in the correct position on the field.
If your move is correct — you win the challenge.
If not, you can use the Hint button for guidance.
Complete Your Training
Keep solving each challenge to finish your training session for the day.
Finally, apply what you’ve learned in real-world football situations!
Video demonstration of the game is down below.
The game begins with a loading screen. Once it’s done, you’ll see three main options:
What is Tactics
Rules of the Game
Play Game
Learn the Basics
Tap What is Tactics to read a short introduction explaining the concept of tactics in football.
Tap Rules of the Game to explore all the basic rules and instructions you need before playing.
Get Ready to Play
After understanding the basics, click Ready to Play. You’ll be redirected to a screen where you can choose a position to explore.
Choose Your Position
Select Defense (or any available position). You’ll then see a page with simple instructions. When you’re ready, tap Ready to Play again.
Set Up the Game Field
You’ll be prompted to find an A4-size football field page.
Once you scan it, a 3D football field will appear, and an animated match scenario will play out.Analyze and Respond
After the animation, a question appears based on the scenario.
When you’re ready to answer, click Move Player.Solve the Challenge
Drag and place the player in the correct position on the field.
If your move is correct — you win the challenge.
If not, you can use the Hint button for guidance.
Complete Your Training
Keep solving each challenge to finish your training session for the day.
Finally, apply what you’ve learned in real-world football situations!
Video demonstration of the game is down below.
Technical components
Technical components
TactiQuest was developed in Unity. Since I was not very experienced with the platform, I encountered several technical challenges during the development process.
I used image detection to recognize a printed football field on A4 sheets, which then generated a 3D football pitch on the screen. Initially, I experimented with plane surface detection by using a table as the medium, but I found it to be unreliable — the football pitch often failed to appear. This led me to adopt image detection as a more stable and consistent solution.
I created animated prefabs to build engaging and interactive scenarios that participants could solve during the experience.
I designed the game’s user interface in Figma and then implemented it in Unity to ensure smooth navigation and an intuitive walkthrough experience.
TactiQuest was developed in Unity. Since I was not very experienced with the platform, I encountered several technical challenges during the development process.
I used image detection to recognize a printed football field on A4 sheets, which then generated a 3D football pitch on the screen. Initially, I experimented with plane surface detection by using a table as the medium, but I found it to be unreliable — the football pitch often failed to appear. This led me to adopt image detection as a more stable and consistent solution.
I created animated prefabs to build engaging and interactive scenarios that participants could solve during the experience.
I designed the game’s user interface in Figma and then implemented it in Unity to ensure smooth navigation and an intuitive walkthrough experience.
A4 football field page is scanned and 3D football field is generated.
A4 football field page
Animated scenario prefab
Animated football scenario is created in unity 3D.
UI Screen created in figma and implemented in unity.
Scenario popup UI screen.
A4 football field page is scanned and 3D football field is generated.
A4 football field page
A4 football field page is scanned and 3D football field is generated.
A4 football field page
Animated scenario prefab
Animated football scenario is created in unity 3D.
UI Screen created in figma and implemented in unity.
Scenario popup UI screen.
Animated scenario prefab
Animated football scenario is created in unity 3D.
UI Screen created in figma and implemented in unity.
Scenario popup UI screen.
Testing
Testing
I had the opportunity to test my prototype with Alessandro, a youth football player who plays for Atalanta BC’s Under-13 team.
Alessandro quickly grasp the game's mechanics and develop a quick understanding of football tactic through the app with ease.
After playing, Alessandro became more curious about the game and eagerly asked if there were more levels to explore.
Once he understood the game, he began explaining football tactics to his mother and even started teaching her how to play.
The mother became concerned that the game might be addictive, as Alessandro was highly engaged and excited while playing.
I had the opportunity to test my prototype with Alessandro, a youth football player who plays for Atalanta BC’s Under-13 team.
Alessandro quickly grasp the game's mechanics and develop a quick understanding of football tactic through the app with ease.
After playing, Alessandro became more curious about the game and eagerly asked if there were more levels to explore.
Once he understood the game, he began explaining football tactics to his mother and even started teaching her how to play.
The mother became concerned that the game might be addictive, as Alessandro was highly engaged and excited while playing.
Next Steps
Next Steps
Discuss with professional coaches and based on that, add more levels and scenarios into the game to make the game more engaging.
To prevent addiction and support healthy engagement, allowing kids to progress gradually and deeply understand each tactical concept at their own pace.
Make the game accessible to everyone, not just for kids but also for all the football enthusiast who wanted to learn football tactic in a fun engaging way and the coaches who want to teach football tactics in an effective way.
Discuss with professional coaches and based on that, add more levels and scenarios into the game to make the game more engaging.
To prevent addiction and support healthy engagement, allowing kids to progress gradually and deeply understand each tactical concept at their own pace.
Make the game accessible to everyone, not just for kids but also for all the football enthusiast who wanted to learn football tactic in a fun engaging way and the coaches who want to teach football tactics in an effective way.
I would like to end this with a quote from one of my favourite TV show, TED LASSO.
“Success is not about the wins and losses. It’s about helping these young fellas be the best versions of themselves, on and off the field.”
This is what inspired me to ground TactiQuest in this meaningful quote.
I would like to end this with a quote from one of my favourite TV show, TED LASSO.
“Success is not about the wins and losses. It’s about helping these young fellas be the best versions of themselves, on and off the field.”
This is what inspired me to ground TactiQuest in this meaningful quote.