Enhancing Game-Day Decision-Making with Focus: Canberra Raiders Case Study
Canberra Raiders partnered with Catapult to showcase how their Focus video solution optimizes real-time coaching workflows, delivering crucial insights straight from the field to the coaches’ box.
In this case study, Tom Christian, the Raiders’ Performance Data and Technology Lead, provides an in-depth look at how Catapult’s “Video to Bench” approach with Focus has transformed the team’s in-game decision-making process:
Seamless Integration of Video Feeds
Setting Up the Coaches’ Box
The Raiders’ coaching setup centers around a seamless integration of multiple video feeds, designed to provide instant analysis during matches.
According to Tom, “Here in the coaches’ box, we have the main computer which is attached to an external display for the coaches. We have our feed coming in here through a Limit8 box where we have three camera feeds going into Focus. That gives us the ability to see the multiple camera angles which are coming through the feeds.”
Connectivity for Flexibility
The system also connects seamlessly to external devices, like iPads, through Ruckus connectivity, enabling portable viewing.
“If the coaches want to use an iPad, we can do that through our Ruckus connectivity, which the computer is connected to, and that sort of brings the whole system together,” Tom adds. This flexibility ensures that key insights can be delivered wherever they are needed, whether on the sidelines or in the coaches’ box.
Real-Time Analysis for In-Game Adjustments
Instant Replay and Tactical Adjustments
Focus allows the coaching team to monitor live gameplay and request clips of key moments, such as line breaks or tries. “When the game is going live, coaches are generally watching the game as it plays out on the field,” Tom explains.
“But when moments in the game happen, such as line breaks, try scored, or try scored against, the coaches will ask for that footage to be cut, and then we’re immediately presenting that back to the coaches on a replay loop so they can understand what exactly happened in the game.”
Portable Feedback to Players
One of the standout features of Focus is its ability to present these clips instantly, allowing coaches to make swift tactical adjustments. This capability enables the Raiders’ coaching staff to analyze gameplay and adapt their strategy on the fly, providing a significant advantage during high-stakes moments.
Supporting Halftime and Post-Match Reviews
Instant Player Feedback During Halftime
The flexibility of Focus extends beyond the live match. Clips can be shown to players during halftime to provide immediate feedback, helping them adjust their gameplay based on real-time insights.
“Some of those vision clips are shown to players at halftime through the iPad,” says Tom, “but the majority of the time, the information is cut for an immediate use case, and then coaches will review post-game.”
Detailed Post-Game Analysis
Following the match, coaches can revisit and analyze key moments in more depth, using the captured footage to refine strategies and improve performance. This combination of real-time and retrospective analysis has proven invaluable for the Raiders, ensuring a comprehensive approach to performance improvement.
Conclusion: Transforming Game-Day Workflows
Focus has become an integral part of the Raiders’ matchday workflow, enabling the coaching team to deliver targeted feedback quickly and effectively. Whether during the game, at halftime, or in post-match reviews, the system provides coaches with the ability to analyze gameplay in real-time, enhancing their ability to make informed decisions on the fly.