I got the following email from a colleague in the UK today. I just wanted to share it with everybody.

“I received a call a few weeks ago from an Track and field agent. He said one of his athletes had specifically requested the use of Dartfish and would like to meet.

A few days later I demonstrated Dartfish to the coaches/athletes and management team.  I showed two runners in the analyser and concentrated on the side by side/blend and reversing one picture to synch up their direction of travel.

They are now the proud users of 3 Team Pro’s

The athlete in question:

 Mr Usain Bolt. Olympic Champion and World Record Holder for the 100m and 200m.

It is marvellous to see an athlete who has ran 9.69sec for the 100m and 19.30 for the 200m still believes he can improve.  Complacency is the downfall of any champion and it is a scary thought for others who do not see the benefit of analysing their technique leading up to the 2012 Olympics.

This man will go faster with the help of Dartfish.”

If you need help getting more out of your Dartfish system or want to get started with Dartfish, drop me an email. robert.carroll@tocasports.com

Tags: athletics, Dartfish, performance analysis, Video Analysis
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Here is a YouTube clip of the New Zealand All Blacks getting fitness tested. As you will see they are using Smartspeed for their tests.

Check out the fitness testing section on our website fo more info about getting tested using the best technology inthe world.

Tags: Fitness Testing, performance analysis, rugby
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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.

Tags: motivation, performance analysis, video analyis
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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.

Tags: performance analysis, Video Analysis
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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:

• Using video to inform decision making - Performance Impact
• Structuring video analysis - options available
• Pre / Post Match analysis
• Real-time analysis
• Managing feedback
• Using motivational video

 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.

Tags: denise martin, performance analysis sport, sports conference
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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.

Tags: Dartfish, performance aalysis, swimming, Video Analysis
Posted in Video Analysis Advice | No Comments »