# data[].attributes.body
A coaching diary would be a fantastic way of helping to improve performance. It would allow the athlete to constantly monitor progress and to reflect on past performances. It also allows the coaching staff to see how the performer feels during these performances. If I was to implement it into my coaching sessions I would include a small RPE scale. I feel as though this would benefit as it would give the athlete an opportunity to say how they felt at the time which could highlight other areas that may affect performance. It would be most suited to an individual sport such as swimming as the coach would be working with the athlete on a one-to-one basis.

Another way to help improve performance would be video analysis. This would give the coaches insight into a variety of areas of performance. It could possibly help them look at specific skills or moves that were carried out during the game. This would allow a details analysis of an athlete’s strength and weaknesses. This would be applicable for both team and individual sports. I feel as though a team sport would benefit more as they would be able to look at tactics and how each player can affect the team’s performance. However, individual sports such as boxing or MMA could benefit hugely as it can help identify trends in performance. This can be used to improve their athlete but also study opponents. This could be combined with coaching diaries as you can identify whether the athlete is aware of their own errors or they are subconscious. If they aren’t aware they can then be discussed and training can be tailored to eradicate these mistakes. I would use this when coaching to give players examples of how a skill or technique should be performed and how it can then be implemented on the pitch.

I feel as though one of the most beneficial forms of improving performance would be simulation. This is where game scenarios are replicated in training. This allows the coaches to remove or add intensity and pressure to the situations which would help the athletes get a better tactical awareness as they would know what is happening around them. I would implement this during rugby sessions. I feel as though the backs would be most likely to benefit as they would be able to learn the moves without opposition first of all, then progress to a game situation with opposition before finally be placed under high pressure. This would benefit hugely as they would physically and psychologically be able to cope with the stress. This would link nicely with video analysis as they could potentially watch the moves performed by another team before attempting them.

# data[].attributes.headline
3.       Observation & Analysis, compromising of:

# data[].attributes.subject
3.       Observation & Analysis, compromising of:

# data[].attributes.body
-          Interviews- interviews are designed to collect information from a person. By using an interview they would be able to ask the athlete to identify strengths and weaknesses which allow the coach to develop physiological and psychological targets to benefit performance. It would also give the athlete a chance to explain what they would do tactically and the coach can then correct them, help them improve or change the team tactics to fit different play styles.

-          SWOT analysis- this would be the analysis of performance. It is a chance for strengths and weaknesses to be outlined clearly. It also shows the opportunities and threats an athlete can be presented with when performing. A coach would use this to show the athletes areas they need to work on and also show them some different situations they could come across. By making them aware of these scenarios would prepare the performer and make them more likely to cope when put under stress.

-          Simulation or Conditioned practice- this would be creating a game scenario in training. An example of this would be in rugby when the coach may initially make them run the backs moves unopposed just to get the technique and timing perfect. This can then be progressed by adding intensity and opposition to help replicate game scenarios.

There are three levels to this:

a.       Passive- offering little resistance other than presence

b.      Active- playing under normal conditions and playing intensity

c.       Pressure- playing with extra intensity.

A coach would use this in order to make his players used to coping with pressure so when presented with it in a game they can handle it. It could also be used to push the players physically to increase fitness which would increase their general performance intensity.

-          Video Analysis- this provides the players and coaches with a perfect record and view of performance. The video can be slowed down to help highlight specific areas of performance such as: positioning, skill and technique.

There are a view guideline to follow:

a.       Don’t coach and film at the same time. Get somebody else to film it.

b.      Try to capture sound to allow communication to be highlighted.

c.       Label and date the film to keep record

A coach would use this when identify strength of a team’s performance by help looking at skills and movements that have been performed well. They could also look tactically at what may have gone wrong and possibly lead them to concede a goal.

-          Notation- this is a way of collect statistics from a match. This can be completed by hand or on a computer. Statistics are available instantly to coaching staff as they are recorded by a preselected set of symbols. When completed by hand they are inexpensive and can be accurate if completed by an experienced observer. An advantage of this would be that they would have instant access during the game however it is possible for human error to occur which could potentially give the coach false information which would lead to inaccurate tactics. As technology has advanced they have managed to record even the tiniest details such as ground covered and top sprint speed.

# data[].attributes.body
Performance profiles would be a good way for coaches to identify some psychological barriers that may hinder the athlete’s performance. This could be things such as anxiety before games, lack of confidence due to poor previous performance etc. Once coaching staff are able to identify this, they would be able to implement motivational and arousal control techniques which should hopefully boost performance. An example would be teaching an athlete affirmations which would naturally boost their self-confidence and remove some of the anxiety they may feel before performance.

# data[].attributes.body
A dairy is a record that is kept of events. It can be useful with self-reflection, planning for the future and adhering to set goals by recording progress. When making a diary there are a few guidelines to follow:

-          Complete the diary shortly after the session

-          Record events in chronological order

-          Outline the positives first

-          Then look for areas to improve

-          Set some small goals to help improve

Diaries are beneficial as they would record the level of physical performance but also allow the athletes to show how they felt at the time. Whether they were tired, ill or had more energy. This could then be looked at in further detail to see how that would affect their performance on the field. It could even consist of a small RPE scale to give the coaching staff an indicator of this.