Introduction:
Analysis of sports performance is of great importance to a higher performance sports coach. “Coaching is about enhancing an athlete(s) performance a principal means by which this achieved is through feedback however research as proven that human observation and memory are not reliable enough to provide the detailed information necessary to secure behavioural changes” (Franks and Miller 1986) P101.
According to world renowned rugby union coach Graham Henry “A successful coach is one who prepares his team to deal with all eventualities, are fully briefed on the game and understand their requirements. A coach’s job is to familiarise them with their particular strengths and weaknesses” (Henry 1999).
When a coach analyses performance using these methods feedback is usually presented by qualitative Analysis, this referring to something that as been a success or failure, or something that is good or bad. “This information is usually not as accurate as a quantitative type analysis” (Hodges & Franks 2008). A quantitative type analysis uses up to date data analysis, for example specific chart recordings of performance activity that can be more beneficial in highlighting ‘Key Performance Indicators’ to aid the coach in their analysis of performance activity.
Performance analysis also includes the analysis of notion this type of analysis concentrates on “gross movement and movement patterns in games or teams” (Hughes Barlett 2008). It concentrates on the finer more specific biomechanical analysis detailed area of individuals sporting techniques and movement.
“Notational analysis systems have existed in many forms throughout history, for example, hieroglyphic notion of troop movements, medieval notion of music and twentieth century shorthand recording” (Hughes 2008) p103. There are a wide variety of sports analysis tools and procedures used throughout the sporting world to aid the coach and athlete in their development, and to