Make the stats work for you
We know that the top sides have statisticians breaking down every phase of the game, but can you use it for your side?
Analysing the game by numbers has become more fashionable with computer technology and enhanced reporting on the television hoping to add value to your viewing.
Of course American football and basketball watchers will be very familiar with the myriad of information on gains, yards, field goals and D-fence. Here Rugby Coach helps you use video analysis to enhance your understanding of your
team’s performance.
How to gather stats using a video
These days more and more sides have access to a video camera. To make best of this facility try the following tips:
Taking the video
1 Make sure the camera is zoomed in on the play as much as possible.
2 Get some height, so stand on a chair or table if you cannot get into a stand, or get on top of the clubhouse.
3 Videoing is pretty boring, so try to get more than one person to take it.
4 The ends of the pitch can offer a better view because it is less likely that spectators will be in the way.
5 The side of the pitch offers a better view of body positions and momentum.
6 Stop and start the video at each breakdown (this reduces the amount of useless time watching the video at a later date).
7 Set the clock to display throughout the recording.
Analysing the video:
1 Though an 80 minute game has probably only 25-35 minutes of actual game time, it will take a great deal more time than that to make a full blown assessment of the game. Though you have the luxury of rewind, limit your analysis to some key areas.
2 Zero the clock/counter on the video machine (or if you have recorded from the camera onto the tape, make sure you keep the clock counter) – then you can note key incidents, and when you playback to the team, you can access them quickly.
A basic checklist:
Individuals:
Ball into contact won/lost
Passes made successful/unsuccessful
Tackles made completed/missed
Team (attacking and defending)
Rucks won/lost
Mauls won/lost
Lineouts won/lost
Scrums won/lost
3 A shortcut to analysis is to watch the video back with the players, but they have to look for the details. I have used this a number of times when I have not had time to watch and quantify the video of a game. The players enjoy checking off what they have done well, and checking that their teammates have been pulled up for their mistakes as well!
4 Feedback the video with a flipchart or large piece of paper with some of the key points from the game. It is amazing what obvious conclusions the players can work out for themselves when they realise how many rucks they have lost because of poor body positions.
