As previously mentioned, I have been working as a performance analyst at Bolton Wanderers Academy this year. Whenever people say to me what do you want to do in the future or what is a performance analyst I find it difficult to simplify and give an answer so I thought I could write a post explaining a bit more about what they do and their importance.
The main role of an analyst is in the job title, to analyse, specifically performance. Analysts use technology such as video cameras and computers, which allow for evaluation of performance in a dynamic sport environment. (Hughes & Franks 2007). Typically an analyst will use a camera to film the team’s matches and then the computer will be used to review the game on and use the specific analysis programmes to clip up whatever is required. The technology is pivotal to analysts and the analysis they conduct on performance whether that be to individuals or the team as a whole.
Drust, (2010) states that Performance Analysis ‘‘is now widely accepted among coaches, athletes, and sport scientists as a valuable input into the feedback process’’ An analyst will feedback to coaches about what they wanted to see from the match or areas that they have highlighted and the same applies to the players on their performance. Post match analysis will be conducted reviewing the last performance and pre match briefings on the opposition are used to try and show strengths and weaknesses of the opposition and provide preparation on what to expect for coaches and players in their next game. At a high level too analysts can be used to aid the scouting process.
These are just a few off the roles that goes on in the job of being a performance analyst. In terms of coaching, although you aren’t coaching the performers yourself, personally from my own experiences I believe it has enabled me to become more observant when watching performance and I feel I have been able to develop different areas such as communication when dealing with coaches and players and also my knowledge of the sport in being able to try and identify strengths & weaknesses of not only my own team but other teams to try and aid performance.
The main aim in any setting of sport is to improve and enhance performance, finds that performance analysis covers this as “Performance analysis is now acknowledged as an aid to performance enhancement at all levels” (Bishop, 2003).
Hopefully this post has explained a bit more about what an analyst does and highlights their in my opinion underrated support in aiding performance.
References:
Bishop, D. (2003). What is performance analysis and how can it be integrated within the coaching process to benefit performance. Peak Performance April, 4-7.
Drust, B. (2010) Performance analysis research: meeting the challenge, Journal of Sports Science. Issue 28(9), pg 921-922.
Franks, I. and Hughes, M. (2007). The Essentials of Performance Analysis: An Introduction. Routledge: London.
Reflective Coaching 