What Is Performance Analysis - Essay Example

Performance Analysis What is Performance Analysis Performance is at the core of any sport, like a business is in operation to earn profits similarlythe goal of sporting teams is to win games and to give in performance. 'Performance Analysis' refers to an emerging activity that refers to a set of measures taken in order to analyze a team's show in its competition environment. It primarily involves the provision of an evaluative feedback and comments that aim at helping the performer(s)/ team in bringing a positive change in performance. Performance Analysis involves a series of systematic insights that range from the observation of a coach in training sessions and the competition arenas to the critical analysis of the former greats in the field, response of the spectators, commentators and newscasters. It is the core job of a coach to analyze the performance of his team and to provide a constructive feedback that would reflect an improved team performance in the upcoming games. Analysis of a team/ player involves the following key steps: Making a stable trace of performance indicators Observation of performance in a systematic way utilizing normalization and a number of meaningful ratios. Recording and analyzing selected aspects of performance Providing feedback using quantitative and qualitative data. Coaches utilize the results from the above process in formulating objectives and goals that are used in enhancing performance, improving learning and player's technical development. Use of Performance Analysis Coaching is a systematic approach to individual development that integrates a five step model involving observation, analysis, evaluation, feedback and planning. Coaches are obviously human beings and are thus limited by the constraints of inadequate retention and inability to spot and evaluate all significant factors. Even with special training in observation studies have proved that coaches can only recall 30-50% of the observed information. It is therefore an intricate task for a coach to perceive and preserve all key events that occurred during the training sessions or in the competition arena, only with their knowledge supremacy and instinctive observational abilities, it is here where performance analysis holds the key. Performance Analysis utilizes technology and digital photography in providing pre and post event study that helps in offering an accurate insight, a key tool in improving future performance. It creates a valid and consistent record of activities that aid not only the players but even the coaches in addressing the key areas of trouble and drafting a strategic plan that seeks performance enhancement as its sole aim. Feedback is at the core of analysis and without a practical response the advantages of performance analysis will not be reaped. The accuracy of information available through performance analysis not only facilitates an effective opinion but also assists a coach in making imperative decisions about team structure and orientation. Performance Analysis practices depends on the application of two discrete disciplines that allow a coach to scrutinize team/performer activities from all key aspects. Notational/Match study, which uses ways to record features of team play Biomechanics, which analyzes the sporting effect of body actions. The two sciences rely on Information Technology, which develops accuracy of information, and both incorporate similar techniques of data collection. Their importance stems from the fact that they quantify performance in a reliable, suitable and precise manner. Need Analysis Despite the unified aim of performance analysis, its principles are uniquely applied to each sport so as to achieve the perceived goals of improvement and development. To access these distinctions in principles and tools of performance analysis, the popular sport of cricket was selected and evaluated to deduce the factors that affect the performance of the cricketers. Since the first match played between Australia and England in the late 19th century the game of cricket has experienced a long period of transition from being once a gentlemen's game of a niche audience to an extremely commercial and techno-centric sport. Audience inclination and passion for the game has intensified in the last two decades and the popularity of its world cup is ranked second to that of soccer. All this has developed acute conditions for the players as they find themselves in extremely asking conditions and are forced to perform well with the alternative of being replaced. This further elaborates the job of a coach who is being increasingly considered as a sunk cost and is expected to effect positively under all circumstances. With the above constraints in sight the importance of performance analysis increases and it serves as a significant tool for appraising performance and at the same time providing recommendations for improvement. A need analysis session was conducted with the cricketers of a local club and various factors that affect a player's performance were discussed. A personal interview was conducted with the majority of the club players. As a result a number of tactical, technical and physical factors were highlighted and considered imperative in influencing the team and individual's achievements in a given competition. Factors that affect the performance of a Cricketer Amongst the various factors that were acknowledged a cricketer's skills, technique and fitness were considered the most essential in affecting performance. It is a popular belief that a person's ability to play a particular sport is innate that is, the skills to achieve a landmark in any sport always exist in a person while practice only helps in nourishing this talent. Being a skilled performer is the first step towards achieving a successful cricketing career, a coach's job is to identify and develop these skills. Moreover technique is another major aspect of importance in a cricketer's performance. Sound technique and functional understanding is a key feature irrespective of the player's role in the team. These skills help a player to stand firm and compete hard against strong oppositions and has a foremost impact on the team's performance. With increasing professionalism the stress on players in terms of the number of matches that are being played has increased. This calls for high fitness levels to be exhibited by the players if they are to exist within the team. Players who are unable to maintain the required fitness level are regularly faced with injury problems and despite their terrific skills and proficient technique they become an expense for their side. Accordingly the individual and the overall team performance are severely hampered. The three performance indicators stated above have been given importance throughout the cricketing history but a number of other areas have also attracted interest of the analyst in the recent past. Coaches are expected to build their players in these quarters as well if they are two extract a high performance from their team. These factors include: Team motivation and unity, bold decision-making, extensive training, anticipative captaincy, efficient and varying field placements, adaptable bowling changes, a high self confidence amongst players, a strong domestic cricket structure, mental toughness of players and adaptability to conditions. Modern day cricket coaching has become a broad task and requires a coach to train his players in such tactical, physiological and psychological factors as well. Increasing competition in the game has nurtured aggressiveness and demands great mental toughness on the part of the players to handle crunch pressure situations. In this regard coaching even involves addressing various psychological needs of the individuals and helping them to develop mental strength. In the meantime the encroachment by Information Technology has signified the tactical aspects of the game and hence an efficient game plan sets the pace for a successful day in most of the competitions. All the factors stated above affect an individual and the team's performance at large, consequently particular consideration is to be given to these factors while gauging performance and designing strategies. Performance Analysis tools for Cricketers The practical significance of performance analysis is that appropriate performance indicators underline the good and bad techniques or team performances. They aid coaches to recognize good and bad performances of a player or a team member and smooth the process of comparative evaluation of individuals, teams and players. Technological progress and decreasing costs have given coaches access to laptops, digi-cams and analysis software like the visual feedback software, making the whole procedure of Performance Analysis effortless and less arduous. This method can be used to discover and assess a variety of performance indicators that have a major effect on the outcome of a cricket match, so providing a improved perceptive of how success can be attained at all stages of performance. These include: Tactical indicators (Decision making) Technical indicator (technical aspects of the game) Physiological indicators (adaptability to conditions) Psychological indicators (Motivation, Mental toughness) Technology has revolutionized the way in which things used to be done similarly with Performance Analysis, Information Technology have assisted a great deal in analyzing performance. The current trends in cricket have made use of Notational Analysis to analyze the technical and physical aspects of the game. Cricketers' techniques and fitness levels will be tested by utilizing the notational analysis technologies. Notational Analysis works on the extensive use of video shots and technology and works on measuring movements of players. These shots would be taken by live coding that is during the match situation and post coding in the post match period. Each individual would then be analyzed in his respective field with slow motion clips and the technique adopted by him in a particular situation and the success or the failure would be accessed simultaneously. For e.g. a batsman would be observed for the type of response he offered to the ball that was pitched outside the off stump and was swinging away from him, moreover the result of that i.e. whether he played it to the boundary or got dismissed would be taken into consideration to complete the analysis. In case of a failure visual feedback software would be used to compare the performance of the player with that of the best in the field in the similar situation to provide him with the feedback and useful tips for future. Physical fitness of the players would tested during extensive training sessions where players would be exposed training of different calibers in distinct situation. For e.g. a fast bowler would be asked to bowl a ten over spell in hot humid conditions, while maintaining a close look at his run up, his feet movement, his approach to the crease, pattern of delivery, the speed and most importantly the accuracy of line and length. The above factors would be closely analyzed and then the fitness level decision would be taken. Mental status of the team would be tested through a close scrutiny of the recording of the last five matches to assess the behavior of the players in the field, under varying conditions. The level of pressure resistance exhibited by each individual through his batting, bowling or fielding would be observed, while aggressiveness in the field in crunch situation, motivation and communication levels would also serve as good indicators to test the mental toughness of players. Moreover all these aspects will be subject to comparison With regards to the opposition's performance, this will allow for a direct evaluation with the opposition. With regards to players of the same standard, this will allow for comparing between individuals of equivalent standard. With regards to player's own report of previous performance. Over the period of six aggressive matches, a player will be judged against his individual performance profile to evaluate the relative virtues of his recent performance. Cricket unlike the sports like soccer and hockey is more of an individualistic game where it is easy to assess the behavior of a character in isolation. Hence emphasis here was kept on the individual aspects and personal performances were evaluated and summed to judge team's performance. Pressure control is the core of this game as it is played under high tension conditions where not only the eleven players of a team are involved but entire nations are a part of the win or loss. Under these circumstances the mental toughness of players impacts a great deal on their final performance hence it is imperative to test the extent of mental strength exhibited by players in a real match setting. Implementation Phase Once the design phase was completed it was important to implement and test the effectiveness of the tools designed in the previous section on a practical scenario. Accordingly these performance analysis tools were implemented in the coaching manual of the Lancashire County Cricket Club and performance of the players for the summer season of 2006 was evaluated using the tools described earlier. The use of Laptops and pc's was incorporated and notational analysis was carried on the basis of the factors described above. A one hour session was held with each of the players of the teams and they were informed of their strength and weakness by utilizing the visual feedback software. Moreover a number of ratios were utilized in order to make the data more meaningful and analysis less arduous. Nordulus Observer Pro a notational match analysis software package was utilized in this regard to provide the necessary ratios. These ratios were divided in three categories namely batsmen, bowler and fielder and included ratios like the strike rate, runs scored to ball scored, Economy rate-runs given to number of over bowled, Runs saved in the field to misfiled, number of Misses by the keeper to the chances obtained etc. The data collected using the above methods was analyzed, assessed and used in designing a future strategy for the players as well as the team. Moreover selection decisions were taken using the results of the performance analysis. Critical Analysis of the Data The information gathering was an extensive task as it involved a number of phases including the individual evaluation and comparative evaluation. The data was collected for fifteen members on the squad and was analyzed with the respect to 10 matches played during 2006 season. The data obtained reflected a poor show of the batsmen when trying to play deliveries that were pitched on the middle stump and leaving the batsmen especially on green tops, which are common in the Lancashire region. 30% of the dismissals were caught behind on deliveries outside the off stump. Fielding standards were comparatively low and a number of players displayed a lack of psychological strength in the field. 60% of the close match situations were won by opposing teams, while on average 20% of the catching chances were missed which was a critically high figure. Bowling had been the strength of the team for the season as on average the bowlers took 6 wickets in ten matches at an average economy rate of 3.59 and with 65% of the dismissals being either LBW or Bowled, reflecting the accuracy in line and length of the bowlers. For the upcoming season a number of aspects of the team plan need to be revised and the players need to focus more on their fielding and catching departments in the mean time, care need to be taken in facing deliveries swinging away from the batsmen. Keeper, Matt Prior, needs rest and should be replaced by Chris Read who is fit and has been performing well. Moreover practice should be intensified on the bowling friendly and bouncy surfaces in order to eliminate the problems encountered in the previous season. A Report on Lancashire's Performance for the County Cricket Season of 2006 Lancashire is one of the premier cricket teams in the English county and is loaded with stars from all round the globe. Despite the availability raw skills and stardom its performance in the past season was quite ordinary keeping in view the team's standard. Batsmen lacked the sting and were exposed some very good bowling and inadaptability to pitch conditions. Batsmen failed to find their mark except for India's Dinesh Mongia who by virtue of being a lefthander of sound sub-continent technique was able to counter the swinging deliveries with great finesse. The rest of the batting line up failed to perform on green pitches. The main problem for batsmen was the delivery outside the off stump which surprisingly continued to harm them for the entire season and a cure was not suggested by anyone in the management. In this regard batsmen need to get to the front foot as the data reflected that 60% of the players were reluctant and cost their wicket in the process. First fifteen over of the play were ruled by the first three batsmen but in the middle phase of the match the players were worried with the spinners in operation and the team lost most of the wickets. Inclusion of two front line spinners in the squad would help the cause and would ease the problems faced by the batsmen. Moreover a comparative feedback using the techniques of subcontinent greats like Inzamam-ul-Haq, Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Gavaskar would help players scrutinize their technique. Fielding has also been quite ordinary and a number of catches were dropped in this regard extensive drill sessions with revision of catching techniques will be needed to help players get rid of this problem. Mental toughness has been another issue of importance and sessions of martial arts as previously implemented should be reutilized so as to provide psychological strength to players in order to manage crunch situations. Lancashire has great prospects in upcoming season with players like Younis khan and Graeme Hick being available for the squad and with the changes stated above there is no reason why Lancashire will not be able to lift the trophy this season. Bibliography 1. Locke, E. A. (1996) Motivation Through Conscious Goal Setting Applied and Preventive Psychology, 5, 117-124 2. Hughes, MD & Franks, IM (1997). Notational Analysis of Sport, E & FN SPON: London Journal of Sports Science (2002) 20, pp739-754 3. Bishop, D. 2007. Performance Analysis training coaching [Online]. [Accessed July 18, 2007] Available from World Wide Web: http://www.pponline.co.uk/encyc/performance-analysis.html 4. Bartlett, R. 2007. Performance analysis: can bringing together biomechanics and notational analysis benefit coaches[Online]. [Accessed July 18, 2007] Available from World Wide Web: www.eis2win.co.uk/gen/news_performanceanalysis020205 5. Australian Institute of sport: Performance Analysis 2002. [Online]. [Accessed July 18, 2007] Available from World Wide Web: http://www.ais.org.au/performance/index. 6. Atkinson, G. & Nevill, M.A. 2001. Selected issues in the design and Analysis of Sports Performance Journal of Sports Science. [Online] 19(10). [Accessed July 18, 2007] Available from World Wide Web: http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/contentcontent=a713776375db=all Read More