Video Analysis Factoring into Team Success
5/9/2018 5:56:00 PM | Water Polo, Features
LOS ANGELES -- The University of Michigan water polo team is in the NCAA Tournament for the third straight season, and one of the improvements for 2018 has been an increase in video analysis.
With the addition of assistant coach Josh Hower, Michigan has taken its video analysis to another level. Head coach Dr. Marcelo Leonardi has always emphasized team film sessions for game preparation, but now the team has added position-group meetings and the ability to break down film into individual play clips.
"By adding the group and individual sessions, we have improved our practice sessions, improved our game prep and improved our attention to detail in game-planning," said Leonardi. "It has given every single player on the team another avenue to get better."
The Wolverines use a two-camera setup to film games. They use a high cam to record the game and a secondary camera on the pool deck focused on the team's goalkeeper. After the game is over, Hower takes the film and starts to break down plays into categories such as 6-on-5, 5-on-6, counter attack, goals, etc.
"Marcelo, Sydney (Sonoda) and myself focus on the game overall," said Hower. "We will script what we are doing possession by possession and break down how we are accomplishing our goals and what units are successful. We are also able to look at our offense, defense, 6-on-5, 5-on-6 and really talk about what the flow is like. That's been really important to weather the storm as much as we have this year with injuries forcing us to use different lineups."
For the positions meetings, the team will split up into attackers, defenders, centers and goalkeepers to watch film in 30-minute sessions. These sessions have opened up dialogue between team members and coaches.
"Not only are we able to see our own looks but I get to see what others do and might learn what defenders do against them," said junior Julia Sellers. "It gives us a lot more information from the game in a smaller session and makes for a better learning environment. We take in a lot of information at group film, but smaller sessions give us an opportunity for more dialogue."
A lot of student-athletes have taken advantage of the increased video analysis opportunities. Hower has set up online folders for each one of them where he can put full game films or individual clips they request. He has had players request counter-attack plays, two-meter opportunities and opposing team's tendencies among other things.
"If I tell Josh I want to watch every counter play from the weekend he will say absolutely," said Sellers. "He has been a rock star with that. He uploads the video into each of our individual folders so I can watch film on my own when I have 10 minutes at lunch if I need to. I am getting film in every single day."
Sellers has seen the benefits of video analysis in her production. She said she feels like she is converting a higher percentage of counter-attack opportunities by being able to see where she should position herself. That has led her to a career year, scoring a team-high 80 goals. She had 80 goals combined in her first two seasons at Michigan.
The goalkeeper camera has paid dividends for sophomore Heidi Ritner. In her second season as a starter, Ritner set a single-season record with 30 wins compared to just six losses. She has dropped her goals-against average to a 6.03 from a 6.59 her freshman year and has helped hold opposing offenses to five goals or fewer in 17 games.
"Personally, it has been nice because I have a camera pointed straight on me which is what the shooters see," said Ritner. "With the goalie cam, if I need to work on stepping left, we can look at the angle I need to take and how much quicker I need to be to time the shot."
Ritner also praised the position film sessions, saying the goalkeepers have helped each other out by sharing what makes them successful in stopping lobs, skip shots, high corner shots, etc.
"For goalies everyone has a different style in how you block things," said Ritner. "Mine has even evolved from last year so it is nice to have input from other goalies. Cam (Cordial) and Sara (Campbell) might be strong in areas I'm weak in, so they can give input on how to get to those shots."
With the help of video analysis the Wolverines were able to claim a third straight CWPA Championship and will take on No. 3 Cal tomorrow (Friday, May 11) at 5:15 p.m. to start the NCAA Tournament.
