Andy Elleray – Msc Sports Coaching & 1st Team Performance AnalystCheltenham Town FC

“Applying performance analysis theory to practice: reflections on Goalkeeper technique development in a professional Football Academy” Working towards an alternative feedback process.

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Liverpool Football Club

Based on the experiences and findings from work placement at Liverpool Football Club in an applied setting.

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Performance Analysis Process‘performance analysis is one of the key building blocks of the coaching process’ (Lyle, 2002)

Seen as reactive in nature (Stratton et al. 2004).

Franks et al (1983)

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Aid Coaching Process (Hughes & Franks, 1983)

‘The role of the performance analyst working with coaches and

athletes is to help enhance performance through a cycle of

observation, analysis, reflection, planning and action.’ (O’Donoghue,

2010 p13).

Immediate vs Summary feedback (Cassidy et al, 2006) – ‘Later is

Better’ & ‘Less is Better’ – based upon a literature study of previous

research and during a focus group involving senior coaches’,

lecturers and video analysis software developers.

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Does immediate feedback actually achieve what is intended?

Analyst/Coach relationship based upon trust and working towards

common goals (Hughes & Franks, 2008).

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In football video-based analysis is prominent (James, 2006) but little is known of coach application within the coaching process (Cushion & Smith, 2006).

Franks et al (1983)

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Cross & Lyle (1999)

Rigid and sequential process.

However Groom et al (2011) research into elite youth soccer coaches in England suggest more a cyclical process – dynamic interlinked – psychological and social processes

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Consultancy Activity in the PlacementOverall purpose and aims -

Academy : Film Training Sessions, Film Matches, Disseminate Techniques, Build

Portfolios, Aid Coaching Process, Be Pro-active and Provide Specific Feedback (using

analysis sources).

Personally : Test theory in a practical environment, look for new methods of analysis

and look to create a ‘niche’ slant on performance/video analysis.

Who? Elite /International Youth Goalkeepers

Goalkeeping Analyst – Provide Specific Analysis and Feedback‘At advanced standards of performance, the athlete should use specialized feedback from external sources that are specific to particular needs of the performer’ (Liebermann et al, 2002).

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Kinovea - Power Step

Before

After

Smith (2004) Goalkeeping Diving Technique – 45 degree ‘power step’.

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Kinovea - Volley Clearance

Before

After

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Feedback‘Video feedback can only be useful if it is related to the problem addressed instead of just watching the performance and trying again.’ (Liebermann & Franks, 2004)

Was mainly augmented (Hughes & Franks 2008; Cushion et al, 2011): desired vs. actual performance.

Stratton et al (2004) state that video-based performance analysis is predominately reactive, I began a pro-active study to look for areas of development along with strengths in the goalkeepers’.

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Applications in Academy Setting

1. In accordance with literature on an individual basis, the Analysis software and the video footage allowed for an in depth look and different perspective on what actually happens.

2. Agreement with Cassidy et al (2006) that summary feedback very helpful.

3. Looked for specific, pro-active and match related feedback.

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The Feedback Loop

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4 main areas: A more accurate representation of the actions undertaken – making the feedback continuous and inter-linked.

Everything related to Match Situation Footage at all times; essential and fundamental (Cassidy et al, 2006)

My Key findings Feedback wasn’t sequential.

Feedback wasn’t structured it took place all the time.

In accordance with Groom et al. (2011) who say cyclical

social and psychological complexities affect

performance analysis, becoming a proactive process,

rather than reactive (Stratton et al, 2004).

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My Key findings Cont……. Contradiction to Cassidy et al (2006) – found that immediate

feedback can be of benefit and help technique in the here and

now – it helped highlight immediately to the GK that he was

doing one thing when he should have been doing what is shown

in goalkeeping literature (Smith, 2004).

Coach also changed training sessions based upon video analysis

and feedback e.g. the hoops – this trust in myself and the analysis

process helped the coach to see things immediately and reinforce

to the player’s objective observations of their technique.

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The Feedback Loop

vs

A more cyclical process than previously researched……. 17

Conclusions• Took theory into an applied practical setting• Discovered a new model of feedback and coaching

application • Saw a pro-active and in depth consultancy role

develop• Enhanced the development of elite youth

goalkeepers• Put into practice some of my own ideas and theories

towards analysis, coaching and goalkeeping• Very much a work in progress – initially researched –

build upon findings

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References1. Cassidy, T., Stanley, S., & Bartlett, R. (2006) Reflecting on Video Feedback as a Tool for Learning

Skilled Movement, International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, (3), p279-288.

2. Cross, N & Lyle, J. (1999). The Coaching Process. Oxford: Butterworth & Heinemann.

3. Cushion, C.J., & Smith, M. (2006). An investigation of the in-game behaviours of professional,

top level youth soccer coaches. Journal of Sports Sciences, 24 (4), p355-366.

4. Franks, I.M., Goodman, D., & Miller, G. (1983). Analysis of performance: Qualitative or

Quantitative. SPORTS, March.

5. Hughes, M & Franks, I.M. (2008). The Essentials of Performance Analysis, New York: Routledge.

6. Groom R., Cushion, C., & Nelson, L. (2011). The Delivery of Video-Based Performance Analysis

by England Youth Soccer Coaches: Towards a Grounded Theory, Journal of Applied Sports

Psychology, (23), p16-32. Routledge.

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7. James, N. (2006). The role of notational analysis in soccer coaching. International Journal of Sports

Science & Coaching, (1), p185-198.

8. Liebermann, D.G & Franks, I.M. (2004). The Use of Feedback –Based Technologies , in: Hughes, M.D

& Franks, I.M., eds., Notional Analysis of Sport, E & F.N. Spon, p40-58.

9. Liebermann, D.G., Katz, L., Hughes, M.D., Bartlett, R.M., McClements, J & Franks, I.M. (2002).

Advances in the application of information technology to sport performance. Journal of Sports

Sciences, (20), p755-769.

10. Lyle, J. (2002). Sports Coaching Concepts: A framework for coaches’ behaviour. London: Routledge.

11. O’Donoghue, P. (2010). Research Methods for Sports Performance Analysis, New York: Routledge.

12. Stratton, G., Reilly, T., Williams, A. & Richardson, D. (2004). Youth Soccer: From science to

performance. London: Routledge.

13. Smith, S. (2004). The Specialist. In: Goalkeeping for soccer. Leeds: Coachwise Business Solutions,

p5.

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I would like to invite questions.

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