The following post is an excerpt from the Second Edition of The Tennis Parent’s Bible
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MATCH DAY VIDEO ANALYSIS
Experts agree that visual learning is the most common learning style. Professional athletes in every field get a leg up on their competition by analyzing their performance through video replay. Match day video analysis quantifies performance and reinforces future quality instruction.
More often than not, tournament champions have developed skills that go far beyond good strokes. Often it is the underdeveloped, hidden components that separate the early losers from the champions. Video analysis of match day performances can provide proof of actual tennis performance versus perceived tennis performance.
Often, parents and coaches see the same re-occurring performance nightmares match after match but guess who’s never actually seen the event from a clear prospective? The Athlete.
During the heat of battle, over analyzing the performance is not advisable. It is highly recommended to persuade players, along with their coaches, to self-diagnose match day issues via video after the event. Parents if you are not providing your child’s coaches with match day videos, you’re not doing your job.
“After each tournament, hire an experienced coach to analyze match day performance alongside your child. This is a non-hitting classroom session.”
Parents, keep in mind that it is often meaningful to video the pre-match routines and rituals, the actual match and the post-match routines and rituals. Flaws in any of the three phases may lead to poor performances and serious lack of results.
Note: Below are twenty five essential issues that often separate the early round losers from the champions. It may be beneficial to break out the video camera for proof and/or clarity. Hire a trained eye to assist in spotting those hidden match day flaws and give your child a real chance at performing at peak potential. (Video recording can be done with a smart phone or with a mounted video camera.)
Pre-Match Routines:
- Equipment preparation
- De-stressing versus over stressing environment
- Managing the overflow of adrenaline
- Opponent profiling
- Proper nutrition and hydration
- Use of dynamic stretching
- Essential warm up routines
- Quiet time visualization
Match Performance:
- Proper use of between point rituals and changeover rituals
- Strokes: efficiencies and deficiencies
- Patterns and plays: strengths and weaknesses
- Identifying the actual cause of the errors
- Opponent dissecting/match awareness
- Score management and real time problem solving
- Emotional performance state
- Universal movement flaws (Footwork)
- Cognitive processing speed (Hesitation)
- Correctly spotting and playing positive and negative “Mega” points
- Length of peak performing
- Controlling the “energy-flow” of the match
Post-Match Rituals and Routines:
- Recovery
- Static stretching
- Nutrition and hydration
- Opponent scouting
- Match logs
As I conduct high performance player assessments around the world it is amazing that even top ITF players and their coaches have never even heard of quantifying their performances in such detail.
As parents, it is up to you to organize video analysis and review sessions. As coaches, it is up to you to suggest video analysis and review sessions to be initiated. And it is up to you, the player, to be willing to “allow” video analysis and review sessions.
Match day analysis is a staple for NCAA college athletes and professional tennis players and their entourages. Evaluating performance is essential for growth. I recommend two important steps prior to beginning the process of match day video analysis:
1) Purchase a High-Speed Video Camera. It is often essential to utilize slow motion play back to actually catch the hundreds of issues not seen by the human eye. Parents reading this may ask “Isn’t it expensive to purchase high speed cameras and play back equipment?” The answer is …no, if you have a smart phone, it’s as easy as purchasing the “Coaches Eye” App. It costs under $10.00 in most countries. It is a great product.
2) Hire a Well-Trained Teacher. A high tennis IQ coach is essential to quantified data. A well trained eye can spot dozens of issues that simply pass right by 95% of the parents and players watching the exact same film.
Most coaches do practice court “static” stroke mechanic’s video analysis. Coaches, please take it one step further and begin to apply match play video analysis. It often dispels the confusion over what players believe they are doing and the reality of their performances. It will assist the entourage in discovering a whole new world of improvement opportunities.
