Notational Analysis of Sport Mike Hughes A lecture course for Level 1 or Level 2 of a degree in Sport Science
Notational Analysisof Sport
Mike Hughes
A lecture course for Level 1 or Level 2
of a degree in Sport Science
This material is presented in a distance learning and self development format. At certain stages, tutorials with an experienced member of staff will be a big help.
The reference text for the course is:-
Hughes, M. & Franks, I.M. (1997). Notational Analysis of Sport. London: E. & F.N. Spon.
The presentations are strongly based on the material in this book. The book should only be a starting point for your search for further material. The reference lists in the book will lead you to the most relevant research for the sports of your interest.
Notational Analysisof Sport
Introduction
This lecture course in Notational Analysis is aimed to explain, in varying stages:-
Notational Analysisof Sport
What is it?
Why do we use it?
Who has done research in it?
How can we design a system?
Where is the technology taking us?
Definition
Notational Analysis is an objective way of recording performance so that key elements of that performance can be quantified in a valid and consistent manner.
Notational Analysisof Sport
Notational Analysisof Sport
Why?
•Coaching Science
•Sports Science
Notation Systems
Let us examine now the fundamental elements in the design of a system.
We will examine these in more detail later
Fundamental Elements in Notation
Position
Divide playing area into cells
Give each area a code
It is always a compromise between accuracy and significance
Fundamental Elements in Notation
PositionPlayer
•Give each player a code
•Usually their shirt number,
•if they have one
Fundamental Elements in Notation
PositionPlayerAction
What do you want to find out about your sport
Look at the logic of the game
Decide on the actions…..
…and outcomes
Give them simple codes
Fundamental Elements in Notation
PositionPlayerActionTime
Time code makes the analysis more complex
Depending upon the sport, can be difficult to do in-event
Notational Analysisof Sport
How? -
An objective recording of:
position
player
action
time
Notational Analysisof Sport
Who?Early researchers in notation:
Messerschmit & Bucher (1939)
Reep and Benjamin (1968) Downey (1973) Reilly (1976) Sanderson and Way (1977)
We will review the work of the key workers in this field
Notational Analysisof Sport
We will examine where the technology is taking this area of sports science
Hand Notation
We will be using both…...
Hand Notation
•It requires simple equipment
•It is cheap
•It can be very accurate
•It can be very time consuming processing the data
0100020003000400050006000700080009000
Frequency
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 >8
Touches/ Possession
19901994
Computerised Notation
We will also be experiencing…….
Computerised Notation
Can be difficult and time-consuming to enter the dataData output immediateIntegration with graphics systems makes output clearerMoving towards integration with video-editing suites
Hand vs. Computer
Same process but implement different technologies
distinct advantages and disadvantages
Purposes ofNotational Analysis
Movement analysis
Tactical analysis
Technical analysis
Database gathering
Modelling
Purposes ofNotational Analysis
Movement analysis
distances moved, velocities, accelerations, work rate
We measure:
Purposes ofNotational Analysis
Tactical analysis
- patterns of play can define success or lack of it
Purposes ofNotational Analysis
Technical analysis
- consistent errors, or success can point to either technical flaws or technical strengths
Purposes ofNotational Analysis
Modelling
- having sufficient data enables models of performance to be defined
Purposes ofNotational Analysis
Database
- creation of databases enables prediction
The Coaching Process
Intervention to instigate observable change in behaviour
Analysis in the Analysis in the Coaching ProcessCoaching Process(Franks et al, 1983)
Athlete
Performs
Coach
Observes
Past results
accounted for
Coach Plans
practice
Coach conducts
practice
Performance
Analysed
The Coaching Process
Intervention to instigate observable change in behaviour
•Objective performance measures serve as basis for future planning
The Need for Feedback
Franks and Goodman (1983)
found that NGB coaches in Canada remembered correctly 30% of performance…..
HENCE …….It is vital to the coaching process that feedback is accurate
The bad news is that:-
…..and
The Need for Feedback
Hughes, C. (1981)
Soccer coaches in England remembered correctly 20% of performance
The Need for Feedback
found that International level soccer coaches recalled only 42% of key factors that determined successful performance
…..Worse still...
Franks and Miller (1986)
….further
The Need forObjective Information
Franks (1993)
Experienced gymnastic coaches
not sig. better in detection of differences
more false positives confidence in decisions
when wrong
Observation of performance can suffer from:
Memory Overload Subjective Bias Halo Effect Leniency Error Highlighting
Observation of performance can suffer from:
Memory Overload
too many bits of information
Observation of performance can suffer from:
Subjective Bias
despite efforts at objectivity coaches decisions will be effected
Observation of performance can suffer from:
Halo Effect
performances will be rated higher, or lower, if the performer starts well……….
……..or badly
Observation of performance can suffer from:
Leniency Error
coaches will over-rate a very poor performance…...
……. and vice versa
Observation of performance can suffer from:
Highlighting
coaches will remember key elements of performance but not the ‘bread and butter’
The Coaching Process
S p or t S c ie n tist
C o a ch
A th le te
The sports scientist enables the coach to enhance the performance of the
athlete and/or team
Summary
Notational Analysisof Sport
Why?
coaching science
sport science
Notational Analysisof Sport
How?
position
player
action
time
Notational Analysisof Sport
Who?Early researchers:
Messerschmidt and Bucher (1939)
Downey (1973)
Reilly (1976)
Sanderson (1983)
Notational Analysisof Sport
Where?
We will discuss later the latest developments in hardware and software that will shape notation in the future
Notational Analysisof Sport
Mike Hughes
Sport Science - Level 1 or Level 2