The wider context of performance analysis and it application in the football coaching process

Abstract

Running Title: The wider context of performance analysis and it application in the football coaching process. AbstractThe evolving role of PA and the associated proliferation of positions and internships within high performance sport has driven consideration for a change, or at least a broadening, of emphasis for use of PA analysis. In order to explore the evolution of PA from both an academic and practitioner perspective this paper considers the wider conceptual use of PA analysis. In establishing this, the paper has 4 key aims: (1) To establish working definitions of PA and where it sits within the contemporary sports science and coaching process continuum; (2) To consider how PA is currently used in relation to data generation; (3) To explore how PA could be used to ensure transfer of information, and; (4) To give consideration to the practical constrains potentially faced by coach and analyst when implementing PA strategies in the future.

Blaming Bill Gates AGAIN! Misuse, overuse and misunderstanding of performance data in sport

“…Of course, we are very much aware of the difficulties involved in providing performance analysis and the challenges faced in this emerging field (cf. Wright, Carling, & Collins, 2014). However, surely this should act to drive research to more positively address players' needs rather than dismiss it outright?…”

The validity, objectivity, and reliability of a soccer-specific behaviour measurement tool

“…This ensures that the definitions assigned to each performance variable are logical and appropriately capture relevant performance indicators. Performance analysts often work closely with coaching staff (Wright et al, 2013;Wright et al, 2014). By involving coaches in the process of creating definitions for their notational analysis tool, the analyst can potentially develop a like-minded understanding of the sport, thus ensuring that the data collected is objective between coach and analyst.…”

“…As the most common users of performance analysis, professional soccer clubs across the world hire multiple specialist practitioners, commonly known as Performance Analysts, to perform notational analysis on team and individual performance (Wright, Atkins, Jones, & Todd, 2013;Wright, Carling, & Collins, 2014). By systematically observing soccer performance using valid, objective, and reliable notational analysis tools, Performance Analysts are able to evaluate soccer performance, providing feedback to players and coaching staff to consequently enhance the decision-making process of coaches in relation to players and tactics (Wright et al, 2013).…”

“…The performance analysis process serves to negate the issues associated with the subjective coach perception of performance, due to memory limitations (Franks & Miller, 1986;Franks, 1993;Laird & Waters, 2008;Nicholls & Worsfold, 2016) and the constraints of the viewing environment (Wright et al, 2014). The use, however, of humans as operators of computer-based notational analysis tools can result in significant measurement error due to the inherent subjective nature of systematic observation, when interpreting performance against predefined criteria (Bradley et al, 2007;O'Donoghue, 2007a).…”

“…Should a tool's definitions lack depth and accuracy with regards to what constitutes the occurrence of a particular event, or be of a length that requires the analyst to think for a significant period of time before making a judgement; data may be collected incorrectly by missing an event's occurrence, recording an event when it did not occur, or using the functions of the tool incorrectly (Armitage, 2006;James et al, 2007;O'Donghue, 2007b). This has negative implications for professional soccer clubs, as a true reflection of player performance may be skewed either positively, or negatively, thus leading to incorrect player judgements, and a detrimental effect on the burgeoning coach-analyst relationship within soccer clubs (Wright et al, 2013;Wright et al, 2014). By investigating the reliability of Performance Analysts in their use of systematic observation tools, errors of this nature can be reduced or avoided, and establish whether the tool is contextually valid and reliable.…”