Physical factors

Observation schedule

An observation schedule can be designed to gather specific information on all or parts of the performance.

A description of this method would clearly outline what the schedule looks like, giving examples of the parts of the performance to be observed, criteria to measure the performance against and sometimes tallies of successful attempts.

The description would consider who carried out the approach, as well as when this happened and what type of performance was carried out.

Observation schedules can be designed to look at particular parts of the performance. This helps the performer gather more accurate information that will help them design a more specific development plan. If the schedule is carried out by a coach or experienced observer it will allow more accurate results to be recorded, helping to set clear targets for a personal development plan.

Criteria from model performer - Recover to base, Accurate service, Move opponent around court, Arrive early to hit my preferred shot, Use a variety of strokes. Boxes with Always Sometimes Never — Figure caption,
An example of an observation schedule

Question

During a performance in hockey, a player needed to find out specific strengths and weaknesses of her push pass. She used an observation schedule to collect information. What would it look like?

An observation schedule was designed to look at the specific strengths and weaknesses of the player's push pass in hockey. The schedule was broken down in to the preparation, action and recovery phases. Key criteria were designed for each phase with a column to add whether these phases were successful or not. This was carried out during a repetition drill, where an observer watched and completed the schedule.

Criteria from model performer	Always	Sometimes	Never
Preparation
Stands side on to target		X
Hands well positioned		X
Eyes on ball	X
Feet apart	X
Knees bent	X
Action
Back foot in line with ball		X
Stick stays in contact with ball	X
Shifts weight from back to front foot	X
Increases speed of stick head as it nears front foot	X
Recovery
Body stays low and side on to target			X
Stick follows through strongly	X
Stick finishes pointing towards target		X

Criteria from model performer	Preparation
Always
Sometimes
Never

Criteria from model performer	Stands side on to target
Always
Sometimes	X
Never

Criteria from model performer	Hands well positioned
Always
Sometimes	X
Never

Criteria from model performer	Eyes on ball
Always	X
Sometimes
Never

Criteria from model performer	Feet apart
Always	X
Sometimes
Never

Criteria from model performer	Knees bent
Always	X
Sometimes
Never

Criteria from model performer	Action
Always
Sometimes
Never

Criteria from model performer	Back foot in line with ball
Always
Sometimes	X
Never

Criteria from model performer	Stick stays in contact with ball
Always	X
Sometimes
Never

Criteria from model performer	Shifts weight from back to front foot
Always	X
Sometimes
Never

Criteria from model performer	Increases speed of stick head as it nears front foot
Always	X
Sometimes
Never

Criteria from model performer	Recovery
Always
Sometimes
Never

Criteria from model performer	Body stays low and side on to target
Always
Sometimes
Never	X

Criteria from model performer	Stick follows through strongly
Always	X
Sometimes
Never

Criteria from model performer	Stick finishes pointing towards target
Always
Sometimes	X
Never

Question

Why would this be a useful method to gather information?

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Investigating performance Physical factors