A case study into the effectiveness of computerised match analysis and motivational videos within the coaching of a league netball team

The purpose of the current investigation was to study the effectiveness of match analysis within the coaching process. A match analysis process used by a university netball team was monitored over 4 months with performances in 8 matches being evaluated. The match analysis process involved providing motivational videos to the team and providing the coach with quantitative match statistics and related video sequences of areas for improvement. Field notes were made during the 7 match-to-match cycles regarding the extent to which the match analysis process identified areas of performance requiring attention, whether these were addressed during squad training and whether there were improvements in these areas in subsequent matches. The 12 players of the squad completed a questionnaire about their views of the motivational videos, the open responses of which were analysed using qualitative techniques. The field notes revealed evidence that providing match analysis support was beneficial to the coach’s decision making. The questionnaire survey revealed that the players found the motivational videos helped to increase their understanding of their performance, increase self confidence and team confidence and motivate players for forthcoming matches. However, the players also stated that watching motivational videos should not interfere with warm up for matches.