Tactical Recall: Improving Player Decision-Making
Essential New Features in Tactic 8.0 for Efficient Sports Analysis
Canada Soccer is revolutionizing its approach to coach education, emphasizing the crucial role of video analysis. At the forefront of this transformation is Mike Whyatt, the manager of coach education - member services. With a focus on developing and delivering comprehensive training programmes, Whyatt is committed to preparing the next generation of Canadian coaches.
Enhancing Coach Education
Whyatt oversees the delivery of the B Diploma and the development of the C Diploma, working closely with member associations to ensure their effective implementation. His philosophy is clear: "Player development equals coach development. The impact a coach has on a player can directly influence them for better or worse." Analysis is integral to Canada's coach education system, which values inquiry and curiosity. "The skills associated with curiosity—clarity, adaptability, and problem-solving—are all nurtured through analysis," he explains. Whether during training sessions, matches, or more formal video analysis, identifying problems and engaging in solution-focused discussions are essential for any coach.
Integration of Tactic in Coach Education
To support this analytical approach, Canada Soccer has partnered with RT Software and their product Tactic, a video analysis tool that has transformed how student coaches learn and present their findings. "While the initial learning curve is steep, the volume of tools Tactic offers cannot be understated in terms of value," Whyatt notes. The user-friendly presenter mode has significantly enhanced the quality of in-class presentations. Tactic is used in multiple ways: to create content that supports player knowledge acquisition, to facilitate efficient and effective analysis presentations, and to provide free trials for student coaches to explore video analysis within their local contexts. Tasks vary across different licenses but typically include portfolio reflections, in-class presentations, and on-field delivery.
Key Features and Support
One standout feature of Tactic is its ability to tag games within the same ecosystem, which Whyatt describes as a "game changer." The presenter interface is another favourite. "The ease of access to simply pass the iPad around the table to easily illustrate the coaches' perspectives makes the conversations richer, as everyone can understand the perspective of the coach," he explains. In terms of support, Whyatt says, "Lee and the wider Tactic team have been fantastic, whether it has been providing tutorials or meeting online for one-on-one discussions or, more recently, providing a webinar to show the tools in action."
Preparing Competitive Coaches
Canada Soccer's approach is now centered on context delivery rather than content delivery. Coaches leave courses with a consistent framework for understanding and coaching the game within their environments. "We're no longer in the business of content delivery but context delivery," Whyatt emphasizes. He acknowledges the increasing importance of coach analysts in modern football: "The success of a coach is based on the team around them. An analyst is another asset to efficiently and effectively engage players on what to execute." Analysts help ensure clarity in pre-training meetings, during matches, and throughout the training process.
The Future of Analysis in Coach Education
Whyatt is optimistic about the future role of analysis in coach education. "Clarity, adaptability, and problem-solving are essential skills in any coach's toolbox. Analysis of football is the sandbox to sharpen those tools." Reflecting on the collaboration with Tactic, Whyatt is enthusiastic: "I'm thrilled with how it's playing out. I know we're still only scratching the surface of what Tactic can do for our coach education programme, but I'm excited to keep exploring that with Lee and the wider team."
Mike Whyatt's innovative approach to coach education at Canada Soccer, supported by advanced video analysis tools like Tactic, is setting a new standard for preparing coaches to be effective, adaptable, and insightful leaders on and off the field.
Key Features and Support
One standout feature of Tactic is its ability to tag games within the same ecosystem, which Whyatt describes as a "game changer." The presenter interface is another favourite. "The ease of access to simply pass the iPad around the table to easily illustrate the coaches' perspectives makes the conversations richer, as everyone can understand the perspective of the coach," he explains. In terms of support, Whyatt says, "Lee and the wider Tactic team have been fantastic, whether it has been providing tutorials or meeting online for one-on-one discussions or, more recently, providing a webinar to show the tools in action."
Preparing Competitive Coaches
Canada Soccer's approach is now centered on context delivery rather than content delivery. Coaches leave courses with a consistent framework for understanding and coaching the game within their environments. "We're no longer in the business of content delivery but context delivery," Whyatt emphasizes. He acknowledges the increasing importance of coach analysts in modern football: "The success of a coach is based on the team around them. An analyst is another asset to efficiently and effectively engage players on what to execute." Analysts help ensure clarity in pre-training meetings, during matches, and throughout the training process.
The Future of Analysis in Coach Education
Whyatt is optimistic about the future role of analysis in coach education. "Clarity, adaptability, and problem-solving are essential skills in any coach's toolbox. Analysis of football is the sandbox to sharpen those tools." Reflecting on the collaboration with Tactic, Whyatt is enthusiastic: "I'm thrilled with how it's playing out. I know we're still only scratching the surface of what Tactic can do for our coach education programme, but I'm excited to keep exploring that with Lee and the wider team."
Mike Whyatt's innovative approach to coach education at Canada Soccer, supported by advanced video analysis tools like Tactic, is setting a new standard for preparing coaches to be effective, adaptable, and insightful leaders on and off the field.
