Andy Elleray – Msc Sports Coaching &
1st Team Performance Analyst
Cheltenham 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)
Franks et al (1983)
Seen as reactive in nature (Stratton et al. 2004).
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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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Franks et al (1983)
In football video-based analysis is prominent (James, 2006)
but little is known of coach application within the coaching
process (Cushion & Smith, 2006).
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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 Placement
Overall 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
Smith
(2004)
Goalkeeping
Diving
Technique –
45 degree
‘power step’.
After
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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)
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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
A more cyclical process than
previously researched…….
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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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References
1.
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), p279288.
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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