Coaching and Digital Video Analysis

Tuesday, April 30, 2013 - 09:27

Video analysis in sports can be an indispensable coaching tool - from determining feedback and correction to athletes, to observations on technical and tactical skills. With technological advances, GoPro being the latest popular video recording device, as well as the multitude of video editing programs available, coaches and athletes have the ability to analyse play and performance on a variety of levels.

Benefits include:

Coaches can use video to assess the effectiveness of practice - drills, tactics, team cohesion
Players are able to critically look at their own performance so they can create objective goals
Coaches can use video for self and team improvement since it enables the user to view the game or practice repeatedly, in real-time, without having to rely solely on memory
Provides accurate and relevant feedback to help athletes progress and improve their technical and tactical skills
Motivational movies can be made to play for the whole team to view that uses game highlights from the latest match or the last match from the same opponents
Can be used to scout opponents and discover their strengths and weaknesses

From an individual athlete perspective, videos can be motivational in nature or can provide instructional feedback to help the player learn about their performance and identify areas of improvement. For mental training, a sports psychologist can observe errors of attentional focus or identify performance anxiety.

Video recordings provide reliable, accurate and objective information that is essential for the coaching process. For lighter moments, videotaping an international game or performance can provide a souvenir for athletes, or depending your creativity, some footage may be cut to create a funny video for the team to watch for encouragement and motivation.

References from the SIRC Collection:

1. Bertram C, Marteniuk R, Guadagnoli M. On the Use and Misuse of Video Analysis. International Journal Of Sports Science & Coaching. June 2, 2007;2(0):37-46.
2. Byte Size Coaching & Video. World Of Soccer Newsletter. January 2011;(54):1.
3. Carson F. Utilizing Video to Facilitate Reflective Practice: Developing Sports Coaches. International Journal Of Sports Science & Coaching. September 2008;3(3):381-390.
4. Groom R, Cushion C, Nelson L. Analysing coach–athlete ‘talk in interaction’ within the delivery of video-based performance feedback in elite youth soccer. Qualitative Research In Sport, Exercise & Health. November 2012;4(3):439-458.
5. Meeûs M, Serpa S, De Cuyper B. The Effects of Video Feedback on Coaches' Behavior and the Coach-Athlete Relationship. Journal Of Clinical Sport Psychology. December 2010;4(4):434-340.
6. Soon-Ho L. Development of an Analysis Program on Sport Competition for Digital Video. International Journal Of Applied Sports Sciences. June 2008;20(1):94-112.