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Jul 26
The power of Motivational movies is tremendous. In a previous post I gave you a idea of one I produced for the DCU Gaelic Team. Here is one I came across on YouTube. Think about how you might apply something like this with your team. It can be done with a simple video camera and some free editing tools. Or if you would like one done for your team. Give me a shout.
Jul 23
This an idea of having a few key players involved in a ‘tactics team’. A group of players who the management discuss openly the tactics of the team and how to achieve the best results.
Basically a few players are chosen from the team, for example in rugby a few from the backs and a few from the forwards, to represent the players on a tactics panel. I think this is a fantastic idea for a number of reasons.
1. Not every player understands tactics. I know they all should but we all know the players, in any sport, who just seem to get things done. Sometimes those players work best with their head clear of information.
2. Not every player likes responsibility. Although all players should (and the top ones do) take responsability not all players like it. Removig this burden might free up some people to play in a more relaxed state.
3. Too many cooks…. maybe only having a few players fully immersed in the tactics along with the management and staff means that more can be achieved in a shorter period of time. Leaving more time to practice what you have learnt.
4. By having a few key decision makers on the pitch means that the responsibility does not just lie with the captain or the manager. In any sport the possibility of picking up an injury is common, it’s important to have a number of key decision makers on the pitch at all times.
5. The players have a say! Having a small group will probably invite more interaction between players and coaches and should lead to more formulated plan on how to play the game.
I know many teams will have an informal ‘Tactics Team’ but maybe you should make it more formal and announce to everyone who is on it and the function it is there to serve. Organise to have at least one tactics meeting with the panel between big games. You don’t have to break out the video analysis each time maybe a whiteboard and some markers will help get the point across.
Jul 22
As I mentioned on this blog a few weeks ago there is a Sports Conference being held in City West, Dublin Saturday 25th July. We will be there - STAND 26 - If you need tickets just drop me an email.
There are some great speakers at the conference and you are sure to learn something on the day.
One talk I would like to draw your attention to is a talk on Performance Analysis by Denise Martin.
Workshop Title: Achieving Performance Impact from Video Analysis
Key Points:
Target Audience: Coaches interested in or already using analysis within their training programmes.
Many teams and athletes are doing ‘video’ or some form of analysis, but in how many cases is it more about ticking that box because everyone else is doing it, than actually having a direct impact on performance?
This seminar aims to challenge coaches on the use of analysis within their coaching set-up and show how simple changes can have a significant impact on preparation, training and ultimately performance.
Ranging from pen/paper notational analysis to the latest innovations in computer based analysis, the interactive seminar will outline the methods most appropriate to your coaching needs and detail how to go about structuring suitable analysis support.
The key to gaining performance impact from analysis is feedback. The coach must be able to interpret and video or stats and translate that into a message for the athletes. Video is a hugely effective medium to illustrate that message which in turn needs to be implemented on the training ground. The seminar will debate the ‘dos and don’ts’ of feedback from a team and individual perspective with suggestions on when to do what, how much and so on.
Another aspect of video work in sport which is becoming more and more common is the use of motivational compilations. The content and timing of these can have a role in enhancing performance and again this will be discussed with recommendations on best practice.
Denise Martin is an experienced performance Analyst and has worked for many teams and athletes including the IRFU and is currently the Performance Analyst with the Dublin Senior Hurling Team.
Jul 21
Came across this video today on YouTube. It’s from the Canadian Sports Centre where they train their high performance athletes. Some interesting use of the Performance Analysis Technology (including Dartfish). I really liked the look of the eye movement camera. Must google that later.
Anyway - here’s the video hope you enjoy.
Jun 19
Performance Analysis in Sport is certainly a growing area. Although we are not seeing the end of the days where the role of the performance analyst is attached to that of many other jobs in the backroom staff, it is changing.
A big reason, I think, Performance Analysis is behind other areas like Physio Therapy is because of the lack of formal education in the area. It is only in the last couple of years that colleges here in Ireland like CIT, Tralee IT and UCC have dedicated modules to the area of Performance Analysis in Sport. I think the more of these colleges that embrace performance analysis as a genuine elemnet of coahing and sports science the higher the standards we can expect in the field.
At present there is only one University in the world offering Performance Analysis at Masters Level. While it is certainly not a prerequisite that you must become qualified at masters level to be a performance analyst it would be great to see more college offering this level of qualification, as it can only improve the standards.
There are a couple of organisations looking to achieve some form of accreditation and training in the area but nothing concrete yet. The only two I know of are ISPAS (International Society of Performance Analysis in Sport) and thevideoanalyst.com
I think it’s important that more people join the debate and raise the standard of Performance Analysis in Sport.
Any thoughts?
May 19
1. Support. I know most people would probably put price at number one but it really isn’t the most important thing. I don’t know how many times we have replaced another piece of software (you know who you are) that people bought because it was cheap. It is so important that whomever you buy software off over a great level of training and support. It is no use spending money on something that you either won’t get any training on or if you forget how to do something that you can’t pick up the phone and speak to somebody.
2. Ease of Use. You don’t need to be a techie to know how to use video analysis put it is important that the software is designed to help you as much as possible. It is no use having the best software in the world if nobody can find what they are looking for. Don’t be afraid to ask the supplier how hard it is to use, and don’t just take their word for it get examples of the types of people that are using it day in day out. I know Dartfish would not have survived as long as it has without being easy-to-use. Most people using Dartfish are not techie’s and some are using a computer for the first time. (Again you know who you are!!)
3. Price. Ahhh Finally I hear you say. I am well aware price is important I just don’t think it is the most important. Remember if you buy cheap you will buy twice (and if you buy expensive your boss will never forgive you). The important thing to consider when finding out about the price is get the balance right. You want to make sure you get everything you need without overpaying. Everyone should ask 3 questions along with the price.
1. Does the price include training or is that extra?
2. Do I need any other equipment to make video analysis work (camera, laptop etc..?)
3. Do I have to pay an annual charge or not?
4. Different Versions. I know for most people once you start putting version numbers after products people can get lost. Most people will get lost deciding between version 4.5.3 and 6.7. Don’t worry about it too much, just make sure you are getting the right version. If you heard that team X have a certain version make sure that’s the one you are enquiring about. For all you match analysts out there Dartfish only has 2 versions you need to concern yourself with and in most cases only 1 will be applicable.
5. Potential to Develop. A lot of people will ring me up and say I want the software just for 1 or 2 simple things. It’s like buying a car, when you are 17 and getting your first car you are delighted if it goes forward and hell if it has windows, never mind electric windows, you’re delighted. However the more you drive the more you realise you would like some ‘extras’ “Wouldn’t it be great if the car had Air Con or a CD player or a sunroof. Video analysis is a bit the same, what you think you need at the start will not be what you need in a few months. So make sure to enquire about how far you might take it. What could you use video analysis for in the future? If the software is good enough it should meet your requirements for years to come.
May 18
Just wanted to draw your attention to the Stats work done by the Irish News on a Monday. Each week they take a featured game and analyse it. They produce some really good stats from the game and it gives you a great idea of where the game was one or lost.
This is a picture from the latest game Fermanagh v Down. The Score origin is a good stat to look at. Basically do teams tend to score from Kickouts won or dispossessing the opposition. I know Kerry and Tyrone have very different approaches on this one.
Unfortunatley they charge for the content but you can check out the article at http://www.irishnews.com/appnews/597/5776/2009/5/18/617809_381687959482McGrathfe.html
Jan 19
A date for your diaries: You may be interested to note that a special webinar event will take place next week, a short presentation by Julia Wells from the English Institute of Sport on how she applies video analysis to the sports that she works with in her role as one of the most experienced Performance Analysts at the EIS. If this interests you, following the link below will allow you to register for the event and you’ll receive notification about how to take part.
The EIS is the government funded support provider to elite sport in the UK and although Julia won’t be giving out any secrets that might give a competitive advantage to rival nations, I have seen her present before and her depiction of the roles of a professional analyst and how Dartfish is applied in challenging conditions are very interesting.
Please note that times are GMT which is 1 hour behind Central Europe and 5 hours ahead of EST.
Jan 13
The last thing any management team want to happen is every time the Video is brought out to be played the team switch off. It is important to keep things fresh and one way to do this is create motivational movies.
You don’t have to become Stephen Spielberg or anything – in a lot of cases putting some clips of good team and individual play together and setting it to music will act as a great motivator for your team.
I have seen some counties go to great length in producing Motivational Movies before every big game. There is no doubt that the work is well rewarded as some of the movies are fantastic, however even putting these movies together on an ‘amateurish’ basis will break up the sometimes repetitive nature of video analysis sessions.
I can share this movie I made while away with the DCU team on a training camp in Portugal. It is certainly not possible to make a movie like this every week but you will get the idea. As the season progresses – setting clips, which make a point, to music can reinforce the message more clearly.
Jan 12
As teams gear up for 2009 I often get asked about how to raise the bar in video analysis. As with all other aspects of coaching it is important to keep things fresh so you maintain player’s attention and focus. Video Analysis is no different, so over the next few days here are my 5 tips to keep things fresh and raise the bar.
Individuality
Most teams will start analysing team aspects of play i.e. Kickouts, Wides, Scores, Turnovers etc… These aspects will always be analysed but if you want to get more out of your analysis I think you should get more individual. This involves attributing your team stats to individual players or units of the team.
For Example:
Here might be a sample of your Fouls Conceded and the Particular Zone they happen in.
Foul Zone Our Attacking 1/3 Midfield 1/3 Scoreable 1/3
Fouls 5 7 8
This certainly paints a good picture of where and how often you are committing fouls, but you need more detail. Although the team must ultimately take responsibility for all fouls, you may have a weakness with one individual that needs to be addressed. Let’s imagine that we broke the scoreable fouls down by the player that committed them. It might look something like this;
Player Player 2 Player 3 Player 4 Player 5 Player 8
Fouls 4 1 1 1 1
This information will add greatly to your overall picture of the team’s performance. Once this statistic is known it is then within your power to address the problem. That might be to change the player or upon reflection with the video it might be a technique flaw that can be easily worked on in training.
The point of individuality is to have more accurate information on your individual players rather than just the team as a whole. Every aspect of play can be broken down and attributed to the individual players – not just to have a go at them – but to really focus on their strengths and weaknesses.