#AlwaysLearning Resources for Analysts Part 3
- P.j. Mc Grane
- Jun 20, 2020
- 3 min read
We’re back with the third edition of our #AlwaysLearning series on our blog. Each week we share 4 different resources which we think you might find useful. This week we’re going to look at performance analysis from 4 very different perspectives. Some of our resources will look at Performance analysis as a subject and give a rounded view. One takes a look at PA in a youth setting while a 4th assess how we use performance analysis and test how useful it is. All of which despite coming from different sports can provide insight and value to performance analysts, coaches and players in any sport.
Book
Essentials of Performance Analysis in Sport 3rdEdition, by Mike Hughes, Ian Franks & Henry Dancs
This is the third edition of this compressive book. This can be considered essentially the starter textbook to performance analysis in sport. This new edition has added an extra 12 chapters providing and a holistic overview of the discipline and the role of performance analysts. Experts in specific fields have all contributed The use of real-world examples helps bring the topics to life and makes it easier for a reader to find applications for the items covered in the book. All of these examples despite coming from different sports can provide insight and value to performance analysts, coaches and players in any sport.
Article
What’s in a game? A systems approach to enhancing performance analysis in football
Scott McLean, Paul M. Salmon, Adam D. Gorman, Gemma J. M. Read, Colin Solomon
What’s in the game, both assesses soccer and also assess how we conduct our performance analysis. Using Cognitive Work analysis they developed a Football Match system that could be implemented in a performance analysis setting. In their research, they identified new measurables that weren’t generally used at the time of publishing. It is the authors’ opinion that PA research needs to become more aligned to what is in fact practical and applicable to coaches. The well-written piece is extremely thought-provoking and would make once consider to replicate the study in different sports. The research could be useful in any sporting setting and I imagine the findings are applicable to any of the sports.
Podcast
Second Grade Soccer Superstars Counter Points
Returning to the Counter Points podcast series the host's interviews Ben Smith, the head of Research and Innovation at Chelsea. As soccer continues to grow as a multi-billion euro business every team is trying to get a head start on each other through their academy’s Players are starting to join these academies at younger ages. Smith discusses how clubs approach finding talent before any of their competitors and speaks to their recent experiences with academy graduates Callum Hudson-Odoi and Reuben Loftus-Cheek. Smith offers a fantastic insight into how one of the biggest football clubs in the world approach scouting and developing academy talent.
Video
GAA Coach Webinar Series 2020 - Johnny Bradley - Performance Analysis
Johnny Bradley, course director of the MSC in Performance analysis in Carlow IT, led one of the GAA’s recent webinar’s. Bradley discusses key aspects of performance analysis, the role of the analyst and how clubs of any size and resources can implement it. His presentation is followed by a Q and A session where he answers some of the most common questions around performance analysis in the GAA. The video as a whole is an hour and 15 minutes and is most certainly worth taking some time to watch no matter what your role in the club is.