Video Analysis In Rugby League

I have worked in Rugby League for over 2 years, working with one of the top Rugby League teams in the country, Leigh Leopards, as a first team analyst, and as a head analyst of a reserve side. Here are some things that I produced in that time that can help YOUR team as well.

Previews

I would create preview documents for coaches before matches. These would include a teams current form, the last four results, their last two line ups, their key players as well as maps that would show their main kickers, offloads, and kick off patterns. Here are some examples:

These would allow our players to know what they would be facing. They would also help different players. The kicking maps would predominantly help the back 5 for kicks on 6 and kick off returns, whereas the offload maps was better for the forwards. These, alongside video Previews, would allow the players to get a better idea of what they were coming up against at the weekend.

VIDEO PREVIEWS.

Using sports analysis software such as Nac Sport, I would create video previews alongside the preview document. These would show what a team did in attack and defence, both in good-ball and yardage. They would also show a team's key players and who to look out for, as well as any set plays from restarts or scrums. I would do this for the scholarship team, as well as the academy and reserves.

Filming for Rugby

For every home match, I would film matches like this, using a camera mounted on a tripod, going into a computer through a capture box. I would film like this instead of using VEO cameras because the ball would become invisible when in the tackle and so I had to be able to control the tracking and the zoom of the camera, and so used a tripod. 

I did this at every level from the scholarship team up to the first team. When filming I would look to be 'high and wide'. This would help coaches see shape and detail on plays so they knew what was going well and what they could improve.

 

Team Statistics

Every match, when I was not filming, I was taking team statistics. These would help coaches at half time to show what was going well and what needed to be adapted. With the first team I would use OPTA for my main statistics as well as hand written notations for key players. In the Reserves through to the Scholars I would use sheets such as the one below to feedback information to a coach quickly. These had a great impact on team talks at half time and allow instant improvements in the second half.

 

Post Match Reviews

For Post Match Reviews I would create PowerPoint's that would hold Key Statistics, both for the team and for individual players. These individual player statistics also came with videos for each of the players to review their own performances with one of the coaches. 

The players and coaches found these very useful and helped to prepare the teams for the next week's matches.

If these things are something that you think your Rugby League Team could use, then contact me below and I will see how I can help YOUR team get better and improve!