How Video Analysis Improves Youth Sports Coaching

Picture this: Tryouts just ended, and you're reviewing player scores to make team placement decisions. As you dig into the data, a dozen players show significant score gaps in the same skill across the two tryout days. No supporting feedback is provided to help you understand why there is such a big discrepancy. Therefore, you are left making drafting decisions based on gut feeling instead of solid data.

That’s where video analysis comes in. With an athlete evaluation tool like SkillShark, evaluators can film an athlete performing a skill, with the video automatically linked to that score. When it's time to draft teams, coaches can pull up the footage to see the "why" behind any score discrepancies.

This blog explores how one simple feature transforms the entire evaluation process: improving decision-making, remove evaluator bias, and also enhancing athlete self-perception.

1. Objective Decision Making

Video analysis adds a dimension of objective insight to athlete evaluations, beyond what comments and scores alone can provide. Using SkillShark, let’s discuss how video analysis works:

• Score athletes on any mobile device and add supporting comments.

• Take a video- Evaluators can film an athlete performing any skill, and the video is automatically saved in SkillShark for later review.

• I.e., An athlete scores a 5 on bunting mechanics, and the evaluator notes they could improve their grip and bat position. A video is attached to illustrate this feedback and add extra clarity.

• When making drafting (or positional adjustments), coaches can review attached videos to ensure scores were assigned fairly and reflect a player’s ability.
  

 2. Reduced Bias

Let's say an athlete is being scored on their edgework at hockey tryouts. On Day 1, an evaluator gives that athlete a 7. On Day 2, the same evaluator gives them a 4. When it comes time to make drafting decisions, the head coach and assistant coach are puzzled by the stark drop in score. With no comments or video evidence to explain the gap, they're left questioning: "Was this decision influenced by bias or time pressure, or are these scores actually accurate?"

With video analysis, coaches can look back to see why that athlete was assigned that specific score. Was it choppy strides? Trouble with transitions? Inefficient weight transfer? Whatever the reason, video analysis connects the score to clear, objective evidence.

3. Improved Athlete Self-Perception

Oftentimes, there's a gap between an athlete's perception and their actual performance. For example, an athlete might think they're dribbling well, but video analysis shows they're struggling to control the ball and change directions quickly. While a coach could offer constructive feedback in a comment, video takes the learning process a step further. Athletes can see their mistakes for themselves and replay the clip anytime to refine their technique.

A video breaks down and analyzes each movement of a skill second by second. Looking at dribbling in soccer, for example, a video can show:

• How their foot contacts the ball: Are they using the inside/outside of their foot properly?

• How the ball reacts to each touch: Does it stay close, or roll too far away?

• How the athlete's body is positioned while dribbling: Are they staying low and balanced, or leaning too far forward or backward?

When an athlete asks, "Why did I score so low in dribbling?" video analysis enables coaches to align feedback directly with the score. Instead of a vague explanation, athletes and parents can watch the exact play that impacted the score, removing doubt while providing feedback.

Wrapping Up

Upcoming tryouts, camps, or clinics? While scores and comments are a solid foundation for assessing players, adding video analysis ensures each evaluation is thorough and accurate. When it comes time to draft teams, make mid-season tactical decisions, or help athletes understand their own performance, video helps answer the "why" behind almost every question.

SkillShark's video analysis feature is just one of the software's many capabilities. Score athletes (with added video), review auto-generated player reports, and draft teams all in one day!