Using Film in your Coaching

If you are lucky enough to be in a position to have your games and practices recorded the million dollar question is, What do you do with the recording and how do you share anything you find from it with your players?

I recently listened to a podcast with Doug Lemov who has written multiple books about high performing teachers including “The Coach’s guide to teaching” which I recommend picking up. The podcast was called The 7 Deadly Sins of Film with Doug Lemov and Luke Gromer”.

As you can imagine from the title they talked about 7 specific factors to consider when doing video reviews.

1. Avoid using random or non topical videos
2. Don’t just show a clip once. There is no way that anyone will be able to talk in all aspects of the clip as well as formulate their opinions on it in just 1 viewing.
3. Make sure that if you believe there are multiple coaching points in a clip that you want to discuss you identify pause points to allow not only your focus to be on that moment but also so the athletes understand that it is a potential pivot point in the outcome of the play.
4. Be conscious of how much and when you are talking. There is no problem with you giving explanations or context to the clip but be aware you are introducing another input for your players that is taking their focus away from watching the video
5. Make sure you have a clear plan of the points you want to make in the session and which videos they relate too. If you are rambling and leaving big gaps, similarly, to planning a training session you will lose the focus of the players.
6. Also keep the sessions concise and on track as you are focusing on one very specific learning style in video sessions. Most athletes will be itching to get a ball in their hand and be on court so Short, Sharp,Smart !
7. Make sure when you finish the meeting you have time to apply the concepts or make it a priority at the start of your next session to refresh the learnings and then practice them.

How you can use video to build player learning

Here are some of the tips that were suggested.

• In order for players to best retain what you are trying to teach them, slow the sessions down and if necessary do multiple does to avoid overloading the memory.
• Make sure your videos are short and can be played multiple times to allow players to rewatch and apply their knowledge of the game and notice any visual clues they might have missed in game.
• Give the players some framework prior to watching the video so they know where to look and know at least a couple of questions you want to use to prompt discussion in the event of a blank face
• If you are lucky enough to be able to use the video for opposition scouting, take the opportunity for the players to run the session and talk to each other. As the coach identify a few things for them to focus on and keep them on track.
• Emphasize to the players to look for visual cues and see what they can inform
• Encourage the players to use a notepad or another way of storing the information as they watch.
• Don’t overload players with multiple concepts in the same session. 30 minutes on 1 concept is better than 30 minutes on 3 concepts.
• If you can’t immediately apply the discussion on court, ideally have a way the players can watch the clips again before practice.
• If you can record the players in practice applying the learning it will also allow you to have a comparison point to reflect on.