Talking Football Tactics

With Wellington Phoenix FC Technical Analyst & Assistant Coach Wayne O'Sullivan

At Wellington Phoenix we have taken a serious approach to fine tuning every aspect of our training, playing and tactical approach to develop and consistently improve on our performances. To carry out such a comprehensive review of these areas it is almost impossible to do it from eye and notation, as it loses the visual image and practical demonstration of each area unfolding. It is also not as powerful a tool for players and coaches alike with learning and reviewing scenarios as the actual visual replay. The most effective way in which to review these moments and scenarios is through Video Analysis.

At Wellington Phoenix it is my main role to coordinate and collate as much data as possible from Individual, Team and Opposition Team performances. This information helps our team in training, conditioning, tactics and technique development.

How do we get this data? The system we use is Sports Code Elite Program. It allows us to capture and record information for us using live game footage where we can view all manner of individual and team actions, and the opposition. We record a variety of key areas that we believe influence the game. This is then relayed back to the Head Coach, Trainers and Team during key parts of the week. The system is used as part of player development and runs alongside the training sessions to help in the player understanding from actually viewing the scenario.

What data do we look to collect? It really does depend on what your role is within the team. The Head Coach likes to collect data and view periods that fall within the game plan trying to be carried out (At Wellington this is when we lose possession as this is our main philosphy of play is trying to maintain and build attacks through possession) and obviously when we have scored and conceded goals. Additional information that is vital to the Head Coach is data on upcoming opposition teams, data we look to collect is normally based around influential players involved in their team and also trying to establish a style of play that is common, and any general patterns involved with their play that we can expose. The Strength and Condidtioning coach likes to have a look at how how many km's players have done in a match for his recovery and fitness training. The players like to look at areas most critical to their position (Defenders like to see goals against, Midfielders with Loss of Possession and Attackers like to see their time on the ball)

Once we have all this data how do we use it? This is the most critical area of the whole process and really differs with every team how the data is interpreted and then put into practical benefits for the team. At Wellington Phoenix we factor in key elements identified by data collected into every training session to improve on those scenarios and situations identified.

To provide a practical example of this would be: From the data collected against our last game it highlighted that we lost a lot of possession in the middle third of the field. To rectify and build confidence in the players that are involved in this area of the field we will go through game related scenarios that represent this situation at training in which they can gain further experience and at key moments coaching staff can freeze play and speak to the players on possible areas they can consider to assist successful outcomes in that situation.

How can you implement Video Analysis with your team/club? The basic equipment needed is a computer, entry level video editing software and a video camera (in most cases you should be able to find all this equipment within your club). Once you have this equipment the first thing you should do is make yourself as comfortable as possible with all the equipment involved and conduct a couple of practice goes. When you are confident of the equipment involved, you need to establish exactly what kind of information you are trying to collect. I suggest that you start with trying to keep it simple and target three key areas of play. Patterns of Play in the Front / Middle and Back thirds of the park is a good one that covers a lot of area. Try and keep the clips short and to the point. To get the full effect of this information collected you will want to show this footage at the next training session while the scenario is still relatively fresh in the players' minds.

Hope this technology can help you achieve better results

Wayne O'Sullivan