Developing your Performance Analysis Skills

Types of analysis

The types of analysis conducted can be split into two components: Quantitative and Qualitative.

Quantitative

Quantitative is concerned with the numerical summary of a performance. When we use the term quantitative analysis, we usually associate the frequency of events that have occurred or have been identified. In more complex demands, quantitative analysis can provide statistical evidence of KPI’s being met. 

No matter the complexity, quantitative analysis is the collection of numerical information that gives us knowledge of result and knowledge of performance. An example would be counting the number of lineouts a team had in a match and totalling up the number of successful ones.

Qualitative

Qualitative analysis is concerned with understanding the performance in more detail, often requiring video to be able to review post-performance. Qualitative analysis is seen as more subjective as it investigates how successfully a team performed an action or how a player performed a skill. An example would be taking the footage of the lineouts and analysing how and why they were successful. 

Decision making is often discussed in qualitative analysis, as understanding a player’s thoughts whilst performing various skills and actions are challenging to measure numerically.

Summary

In summary, quantitative analysis is a commentary on the game when something happened and how it was executed. Qualitative analysis is explaining why something happened in a game and how well it was performed. 

Quantitative and qualitative analysis can be divided in subgroups. The table below illustrates the different types of analysis an analyst may find themselves performing in the role. To add context there are some pros and cons to each.

Group

Description

Pros

Cons
Observational
  • The watching of events to understand a team or individual’s performance.

 
  • Favours effective coaches / analysts who have high levels of perception and those who are comfortable in critical thinking.

 

  • Without video there is a reliance on human memory to remember events. There is an acceptance now that technology will be there to help us review.
Notational
  • The collecting and recording of events so performance can be quantified.

 

  • A performance can be broken down to provide as much detail as required. Added information such as event qualifiers or the location of events add greater context.

 

  • The information available is only what is visible during the data collection.
  • The processing of information can be time consuming without the right tools.
Statistical
  • Using numerical information that has been collected to report on performance.
  • The ability to take large amounts of data to support informed decisions. Trend analysis critical to a team or organisations long term, success.
  • Sometimes looked at in isolation, this can be challenging for coaches and players to understand.
Self-reflection
  • Athletes conducting self-reviews of performance as soon as possible after competition. This can be with the aid of video or not.
  • Used for athletes to self-review after a game. Non-intrusive and allows athletes to be honest with their own performance. Being able to reflect immediately is valuable in removing any negative mood states that can last after a performance.
  • If the process is not thoroughly designed, it can have adverse effects and athletes can look at things that are not relevant to the match. 
Video Analysis Review
  • The team review following a match. Focused on the group identifying the key areas of performance.
  • When linked to video, review becomes a very powerful tool for the team or unit to understand the specifics of the team strategies.
  • It must keep attention; without clear and concise messages the impact can be lost.


Whatever the analysis, the performance analyst's role is to provide evidence-based information to coaches and players, which will improve future performance and inform both training and match planning.

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