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The first in a series of articles, IPA's Sophie Molley looks at the benefits and role of video analysis in sports performance training and how this is particilarly relevant to polo coaching.

Performance analysis, has been described as a key building block of the coaching process. Analysis of athletic performance can be used to collect vital information, feedback to athletes in an attempt to enhance their understanding and correct. Moreover, recent improvements in technology have enabled coaches’ to have a greater number of options available to them, in the way in which they provide the feedback to athletes.

Furthermore, video is used for the coach to gain an overall view of the performance as the camera can be placed in areas where the coach cannot go, which provides the coach with vital images of critical events.

In addition, performance analysis can be used to identify key strengths and weaknesses of the team or athlete, assist team selections and recruitment, highlight the strengths and weaknesses of opponents and therefore, influencing tactical strategies for forth coming events. However, it has been highlighted that a coach’s ability to accurately recall and process information can be limited; hence, there may be a need to supplement a coaches subjective recall with the use of video and statistical information as an external memory aid. As such, video feedback can be used as a reflective tool for both performer and coach.

Indeed, it has been suggested that video – based performance analysis is so prevalent in sports such as soccer that most, if not all professional teams engage in this form of analysis. Thus, leading Drust (2010) to suggest that “performance analysis is now becoming widely accepted with coaches, performers and sport scientists alike, as a valuable input into the feedback process.

International Polo Academy use Dartfish video analysis software and an online Dartfish TV platform for individual and team performance.

To hear more about isntalling video analysis systems at your club or at your team ba,se email dartfish@internationalpoloacademy.com

Refs:

(Libermann, Katz, Hughes, Baretlett, McClements &Franks, 2002; Moslovat & Franks, 2008; Groom et al, 2011)
(Ives, Strub & Shelley, 2002; Groom et al, 2011)
(Wilson, 2008)
(Carling et al, 2005)
(O’Donoghue, 2010; Groom et al, 2011)
(Franks and Millar, 1986; 1991)
(Franks and Millar, 1986; 1991; Hughes & Bartlett, 2008; Groom et al., 2011; Nelson & Groom, in press)
(Carling, Reilly & Williams, 2009; Groom et al,. 2011; Hazen, Johnstone, Martin & Srikameswaran, 1990)
(James, 2006)