Unit 3 - Performance Analysis - AWS

Notational Analysis

In both individual and team sports, it is difficult, if not impossible, for coaches to notice and remember all the key events occurring within a training session or match, equipped only with their knowledge of sport and their powers of observation. Human observation and memory are not reliable enough to provide the detailed information necessary for performance development. A study by Franks and miller (1986) showed that football coaches were less than 45% accurate in their post game assessment of what occurred during a game. Factors that affect a coach’s perception include: -

• The vast amount of information in a game/performance is difficult to retain
• The emotions during the game/performance can cloud judgement
• Pre-conceived ideas and personal bias of players and opposition
• Different coaches look at different performance indicators e.g. an attack minded coach would look at different things to a defence minded coach

As a result Notational Analysis systems have been formed to provide far greater objectivity (definite statistics etc.) rather than the coaches subjective analysis. Notational analysis has developed rapidly over the last decade and has been facilitated by advances in IT resources available to coaches. It can take the form of real time hand or computer notation (takes place during the event) or video/computer analysis (post event). Notational analysis is now acknowledged as an aid to performance enhancement at all levels.

Methods of Notational Analysis

Performance can be analysed in a variety of ways using notational analysis:

• Individual assessment of players within the team, for example strikers in football
• Assessment of an aspect of performance for the whole team, e.g. monitoring of scoring effectiveness in basketball
• Assesment of unit performance e.g. Defence in netball

Notational analysis is a process whereby a game is analysed (either live, or after the game) based on a number of performance indicators that have been established.

Real Time Analysis

Live notational analysis previously took place using paper and pen methods, but with the inception of recent technology and specialist performance analysists, computer software is commonly used with high level sport.

A template is devised and performance is noted for each player based on the template. The coach manually records all of the events in the game, presenting summaries to other coaches and players where necessary during the game.

Advantages of real time analysis

• Immediate information is provided to the coaches
• Coaches can act on this information to change players, tactics etc.
• Opposition can be analysed and again changes can be made accordingly

Disadvantages of real time analysis

• Limited amount of information can be recorded
• Difficult to process, so much information for the recorder
• Computer analysis requires specialist training
• Detailed hand notation requires a great deal of practice

Post Match/Performance Video/Computer Analysis

Post match notational analysis involves the use of specialised computer software with a recording of the match with the coach or performance analyst noting a number of outcome. After viewing and ‘coding’ matches performance analysts produce video/computer compilations of aspects of play for later use. Furthermore, statistical data is also gained from the matches. Prior to the advancement of computer software coaches used a video or DVD of each game and would provide feedback on the basis of this. With the advent of modern computer software, both players as well as coaches will also review their own and the teams performance. It is a very useful method for players to be responsible for taking ownership of developing their own sporting performance.

Clip 1 - Kick analysis match

Clip 2 - Kick analysis training

Clip 3 - Analysis opposition lineout

Real Time Computer Analysis

Software is used that allows live analysis of games, where the match is recorded directly onto a laptop allowing the coach to record all of the match events and create a video compilation instantly. Such information is often fedback to players at half time or during breaks in –play.

Global Positioning Systems (GPS) in Sport

GPS systems are now commonplace within elite sport, these systems are used to aquire information about the players in either match or training situations. Modern GPS systems measure distance covered, speed over set distances, heart rate and even the force of any collision or impact. Such information can be used to inform specific strength and conditioning programmes and can be used to formulate changes in tactics, training session length and intensity or even team selection.

Advantages to Post Match Video/Computer Analysis

• Permanent record of performance, which can be used to compare past and present levels of performance
• Permanent record of opposition performances
• Different camera angles can be used to provide different perspectives e.g. birds eye view
• Slow motion, freeze frame can provide precise analysis
• Modern computer systems through GPS allow tracking of player for every second of the game. Identifying distance covered, different intensities of work, heart rate and impact forces etc.
• Training can be far more specific in terms of length of time on the field and the intensity (replicating match situations)
• Players can use it for self analysis, which is often a more powerful form of analysis than coach feedback

Disadvantages to Post Match Video/Computer Analysis

• Modern analysis computer programmes can be expensive
• Specific training is needed to make full use of the equipment
• Very time consuming. A full match of any sport can take up to 20hrs to analyse fully

General use of performance analysis

Pre-game	During-game	Short-term post-game	Long-term post-game
Education	Half time feedback	Team de-brief	Player audits
Tactical	Full time feedback	Unit de-brief	Team audits
Movtivation	Player de-briefs	Research
Opposition	Trends

Process of Notational Analysis and Deciding on Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s)

The first step in notational analysis is to outline the possible events in a game and prioritise which to include in the analysis. This means defining the range of possible actions in the game and linking these actions with possible outcomes – for example a goalkeeper’s kick, throw out etc, would constitute an action, whereas maintained possession from defence, midfield, attack are outcomes. In most games there are an almost infinite number of possible actions and outcomes ensuring that the coach must prioritise those, which influence the game most. E.g. In Rugby, defence/denying a gain line from 1st phase situations. Netball, centre pass success rate. Similarly a coach can receive data on either individual players or the team as a whole. Here is an example of the process a football manager may go through when deciding on what he wants analysed: - (see next page)

The Coaching Process

Using these events and outcomes, it is possible to create a paper template – or an electronic template if using a software package – that the coach uses to analyse the game. Each time an action occurs in the game, the analyst notes the action and the outcome e.g. Action = Pass over 5m Outcome = Accurate. By analysing all of the outcomes it may be possible to pinpoint areas that require adjustment within the team. This type of analysis enables the coach to create an objective statistical analysis of the match to use when giving feedback, whether that is during the game or in subsequent coaching sessions or team meetings.