Types of video analysis in sport
Video plays a huge role in professional sport these days. There’s almost never a day that goes by when there is no professional sport on TV. Video allows for consumption of sport for people all around the world, but do you know the different ways video is used for analysis in sport? Here are 3 types of video analysis in sport:
1. Tactical Analysis
Generally speaking, tactical analysis looks at the performance of an individual / team in order to understand how current tactics are working and where improvements can be made.
By using suitable video analysis tools, analysts can get an overview of what individual players are doing on the court, where they are at any given time and suggest where they should be. This can be used to strengthen the transition from being on the defensive, hitting rally balls, to springing into attack by driving the ball low, flat and hard down the line.
At the same time, a tactical analysis can be done of the opponent, looking for exactly the same things, finding weaknesses in defence or discovering preferred playing patterns. This has obvious benefits; if you know what your opponent is going to do before they do it, you have the upper hand! I’m sure you can see how this can improve your game.
2. Individual Analysis
Individual analysis may be performed on just one player or on groups of players in order to evaluate their effectiveness. Analysing groups of players can help coaches identify where there is a certain amount of chemistry and decide on the best starting line-up in invasion games like football.
Individual analysis might also look at technique. Think of the serve in tennis or the mechanics of an athlete’s jump. Being able to break this down on video, moving from frame to frame, can provide coaches with the ability to analyse a players serve that would be impossible with just the naked eye.
Analysis using lines drawn on frozen footage, like a tennis serve (as seen above – image from feeltennis.net), can also enhance the learning of a player, implementing positive reinforcement when correct technique is applied.
Clubs will employ sports analysts to break down and analyse videos working alongside managers and coaches.
3. Psychological Analysis
Psychological analysis is used to get into the minds of the players. How do they react at different stages of the game? Is morale affected when they are winning or losing? How can this be exploited?
Coaches can then use this information to individually coach players, showing where they are arguably suffering from a lack of emotional control and the result this can have on their performance.
In todays game, psychology is at the forefront of sport, with professional teams / players having their own psychologists working with the players. These psychologists often use video analysis in order to increase the effectiveness of their work. Video analysis reveals extra details when compared to watching players live, or talking to them on a one to one level. This therefore helps players and coaches to take their game to a higher level, at a faster rate. You can read more on a psychologists role in professional sports here: Ex-Arsenal Psychologist on the mind of a professional footballer.
Conclusion
We’re sure you can see how using video footage can help to take analysis to a new level. With just the naked eye, tactical analysis can still be done to a good standard, however, there’s a high chance that details can be missed, slowing development.
Do you think video in sport could help you and / or your coaches improve tactical analysis?