Research into the perceptions, practices and engagement of coaches with performance analysis is fundamental to informing the continued development of the discipline and its practitioners. The aim of this study was to survey a large sample of coaches of varying profiles, regarding their use and integration of performance analysis, to explore its perceived value and barriers to its use. Survey data were analysed from 538 Irish coaches qualified at Level 1 and above (82% male), from 37 sports. A spectrum of coaches' engagement with performance analysis, ranging from no formal performance analysis (49%), to coaches doing their own analysis (coach-as-analyst, 38%) and coaches with analystsupport (13%) was observed. The Level 2 coaching qualification was a key distinguisher between coaches using and not using performance analysis. Significant differences exist between the practices of coaches with and without analystsupport. Coaches with analyst-support are more likely to have regular access to video, spend more time analysing, regularly use performance analysis to inform training and use computerised analysis software. Barriers to the use of performance analysis varied along the spectrum of performance analysis engagement. This research can underpin future developments in coach and analyst education that will optimise the systematic use of PA across all levels of sports performance.

Performance analysis (PA) has become integral to the multi-million euro preparation of intercounty GAA teams (GAA, 2013). With little research on the coaching practice of GAA coaches, this paper explores their engagement with PA. Its aims were to examine the use, integration and value of PA to coaches. A sample of 12,500 (minimum level 1 Coaching Ireland qualified) coaches were selected to complete an online-survey with 538 respondents across 37 sports. As the highest responding cohort (n=144), data for the GAA coaches was isolated for further analysis. PA was used by 49% of GAA coaches. These coaches were more likely to have 10+ years coaching experience (Xi2 = 20.7 p = 0); be qualified beyond GAA Award 1 (Xi2 = 14.0 p = 0) and coach at intercounty level (Xi2 = 12.3 p = 0). Coaches using PA had access primarily to match statistics (81%); only 49% had access to match video. The most popular tools for data collection were hand notation (65%), Dartfish (38%) and Apps (38%). Coaches cited resources and knowledge as key barriers to progressing their use of PA. Reliability of information was not identified as an issue. 88% of coaches using PA felt it was important / essential to their practice. The findings indicate that GAA coaches have substantially more access to quantitative information compared to video feedback. This lack of video to contextualise and validate data has potential to hamper the interpretation of information by a coach thus impacting their subsequent interventions. In GAA coach education, more emphasis could be placed on the importance of contextualising statistics with video and the potential of video feedback to players. Coaches should be encouraged to question the reliability of match statistics and equipped with appropriate strategies to minimise errors in data collection.