run-video-analysis-session

Run Video Analysis Session

Use systematic video review to extract objective insights about performance and deliver them in a format athletes can act on.

Why This Is Best Practice

Adopted by: UEFA-licensed coaches, NFL coaching staffs, NBA analytics departments, Olympic sport national federations, elite rugby and cricket programs Impact: Teams with structured video analysis programs show 15-20% improvement in tactical execution of set-pieces; Franks & McGarry (1996) demonstrated coaches accurately recall only 30-45% of key events without video — analysis corrects this recall bias Why best: Human memory is reconstructive and selective; video provides objective, repeatable evidence that removes confirmation bias from coaching feedback and allows precise frame-by-frame technical breakdown

Sources: Franks & McGarry (1996); UEFA coaching license curriculum; NFHS coaching education modules

Steps

1. Define analysis questions before viewing — Determine specific questions to answer: technical flaw, tactical pattern, opponent tendency, or success factor; unfocused viewing produces unfocused feedback.

2. Code the footage — Use tagging software (Hudl, Dartfish, Nacsport, or manual timestamps) to mark relevant clips; categorize by event type (errors, successes, set-pieces, specific player actions).

3. Generate a clip playlist — Select 8-15 representative clips per theme; more than 20 clips per session overwhelms athletes and reduces retention.

4. Prepare the coaching narrative — Decide the 2-3 key messages before the session; the video should illustrate pre-identified points, not be used as live discovery.

5. Set up the viewing environment — Use a large screen, ensure good audio for narration, and seat athletes where all can see clearly; session length cap: 20-30 minutes maximum for retention.

6. Open with context and purpose — Briefly state what athletes are about to see and why it matters; this primes attention and reduces defensive reactions to negative clips.

7. Narrate with precision — Pause clips at key frames; use specific language ("at 0:32, your inside shoulder drops, which closes the passing lane") rather than vague critique.

8. Balance positive and corrective clips — Include examples of what was done well (at least 30-40% of session); this models the target behavior and maintains receptiveness.

9. Invite athlete response — After showing a clip, ask "What do you notice?" before providing interpretation; athlete self-discovery improves retention and buy-in.

10. Close with 2-3 action points — Summarize the session in writing; distribute clip playlist to athletes for self-review; link analysis findings directly to next training session design.

Rules

• Never exceed 30 minutes per video session; cognitive fatigue after this point eliminates retention
• Every clip shown must link to a training behavior the athlete can change; analytical observation without actionability is wasted
• Pre-select clips entirely before the session — live searching during the meeting wastes time and disrupts narrative
• One key theme per session is ideal; two is acceptable; three or more dilutes impact

Common Mistakes

• Showing too much footage — 90-minute full-match reviews overload athletes; focused clip-based sessions outperform full-game replays for behavior change.
• Ambushing athletes with negative clips — showing only errors without positive examples activates defensiveness and reduces openness to change.
• No preparation — coaches who open video software in the session and search in real time lose athlete attention and credibility.
• Analysis without application — conducting video review but not designing practice drills that address findings means analysis produces no improvement.

When NOT to Use

• Immediately post-competition when athletes need recovery time before analytical engagement
• With young athletes (under 10-12) who lack the attention span and tactical sophistication to benefit from extended analysis
• As a substitute for live coaching on the field — video analysis supplements but cannot replace real-time feedback during practice