Hi Guys, I hope the start of the season has gone well for you and you are looking forward to the Christmas holidays!

Have you ever thought about or using performance analysis or Technology when you Plan, Do or Review your sessions?
I would like to know your thoughts on this and also sharing good practice. The England DNA (How we support) offers various tools on how coaches can use IT and performance analysis.

Please see below examples using apps, notational analysis and peer to peer observation & feedback to aid you. Please share any good practice you use @BerksBucksFA #BBFAAskDanny

Apps to Analyse Performance
If you have the facility to both record matches and a laptop/mac or iPad to download software, take a look at Focus X2 (Link: http://www.performanceinnovation.net/products). You can purchase this for a reduced fee if you are a member of the FA Licensed Coaches Club, if you wish to join or logon please see this link: http://facc.thefa.com/Users/Account/LogOn?ReturnUrl=%2fnews

Information on the app can be found in the PDF below.

Apps to Track Playing Time
Tracking the playing time of a player during a game is tough, getting it even over the duration of a season is almost impossible. We have found the app "Soccer Coach- Team Sports Manager" which tracks player time during a game and a percentage over the course of the season. All you have to do is set up your team line up at the start and put in each substitution during the match. You do get added bonuses also with training sessions included. For more info click here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/soccer-coach-team-sports-manager/id837965151?mt=8

Notational Analysis
If you do not have the facility to record matches or download software/apps to laptops/tablets, notational analysis is a fantastic way of recording objective data on performance. All you need is some paper, a pen (or coloured pens) and a clipboard!

A study by Franks and Miller (1986) showed that soccer coaches could only recollect 30% of the main key factors that determined a successful performance during a single match. This demonstrates the importance of being able to refer to objective data post-match.

Benefits of using Notational Analysis include:

• Very cheap to use
• Easy to use
• Accessible to all – do not have to own a Laptop/Tablet
• Data can be gained and interpreted immediately
• Can be used to show players live information during games/training to support Coaching focus

A key way to collect data is to use pitch maps – see documents section below for various maps.
For example, you may be focusing on coaching Goalkeeping Distribution from hands.
For each distribution from hands, start drawing the line from where the ball was distributed from, and end where the ball met contact or exited the pitch.
You could use the half pitch map and follow the below key:

• ------------            = ball movement
• X on the end of line = successful
• O on the end of line = unsuccessful
• OR different coloured pens for successful/unsuccessful

You have then collected a piece of data that shows whether the distribution was successful and the location of the distribution. You may use this focus as an example if you are coaching goalkeepers on success of distribution or areas of the pitch you want them to distribute the ball to.
Why not go a step further and colour code the distribution to types of distribution from hands if you are focusing on developing a specific type of distribution with the Goalkeeper? Roll, Bowl, Javelin and Side Winder.

With any data you collect, it is important to create definitions for each focus to maintain consistency of data collection, and to be clear with the players exactly what they are looking at.

Below are some more example focuses that you could use for both attacking and defending focuses with your team – you may collect data from the opposition!

• Crosses (& oppositions) – half pitch map
  - How many successful crosses can we deliver? (success = next touch by a team mate)
  - How many shots on target can we achieve from crosses?
• Forward passes (& oppositions) – full pitch map
  - Let’s try to make as many successful forward passes as we can.
• Final third entries (& oppositions) – thirds map, Zone 14 map
  - How many times can we securely move possession into the final third?
• Shots on/off target (& oppositions) – half pitch map, Zone 14 map
  - Types of shots
  - Let’s try to take as many shots at goal as we can.
• Goalkeeping distribution (hands) – half pitch map
  - Can you try to find a team mate as far up the pitch as possible, securely?
• Goalkeeping distribution (feet) – full pitch map
  - Can you try to find a team mate as far up the pitch as possible, securely?
• Tackles/interceptions – thirds map
  - How many tackles and interceptions can we make in the oppositions half?
• Dribbling/running with the ball – thirds map
  - Whenever we are in 1v1, can we try to dribble past the opposing player?
  -Whenever there is space, can you run with the ball quickly into it?

*Zone 14: Studies were conducted in the professional game, and found that most goals are created/scored from Zone 14 (see pitch map in documents section). Therefore, if teams dominated this area of the pitch, they had more chance of creating opportunities and scoring goals. Why not focus on Entries into Zone 14?

Observation & Feedback
Why not ask your players that are subs at that moment in the game to collect pitch map data and feedback to players in their positions? This will give them a learning focus for when it is their turn to play, and some targets to beat. It will also provide players with peer to peer feedback, which can be invaluable in player development.

Give one of the above a try and give another form of feedback to your players 
If you have any questions on the above please use @BerksBucksFA #BBFAAskDanny
You can view all other updates here: Dannys Coaching Corner