Best and Worse Sports Films Vis-à-Vis Performance Analysis

So what are the best and worse sports films in relation to performance analysis or support/ back room staff generally, e.g. fitness coaches, psychologists etc?

THE RULES

Films have to be:a) Realistic – i.e. no comediesb) Where performance analysts have a role in the success of the team or athlete.

So comedies such as “”, ”e”, “” and “” are out. Also, films based alone on individual talent (“”, “”), smart strategy/ tactics (“”), increased training volume (“”) or great coaching (“”) are out because the role of the performance analyst is not present. Even films where some video playback is watched (“”) are out because it doesn’t indicate any objective analysis.

BEST SPORTS FILMS VIS-A-VIS PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS

3. “” (1999)It was just the one line mentioning having videos and stats on the opponents (and how the 3rd string quarterback doesn’t use them).

2. “” (1989)One of the karate coaches has stats on all fighters around the world. They also had a sports psychologist (well, more like guru) involved with the team.

1. “” (2011)Despite having not seen it and not even being released as of yet, surely a book based on baseball statistics will be the best sports movie in relation to performance analysis. Include the fact it has a couple of actors I like (Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill), it can’t go wrong!

WORSE SPORTS FILM VIS-A-VIS PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS

3. “” (1999)Despite being the best list, I do have issues with this. It includes not knowing the third string quarterback is a star player, or at least second string. Also, when replying to the question of why he changes the coach’s plays in the hurdle, he proclaims, “I just feel it.” You’re in a world of hurt if you based decisions on “feeling it”.

2. “” (1999)They won the District Championship on a last grasp play that only been practiced once before in training (and failed). How can you be successful on plays that are never practiced?

1. “” (1984) and (2010)If a cornerstone of coaching is making drills as match-like as possible to be replicated in competition, how can “Wax on, wax off” or “Jacket on, Jacket off” (in the old and new version respectively) relate to skills needed in competition? Don’t even get me started on the crane kick.

CONCLUSION

So the best list has only a tenuous connection to performance analysis. Sorry. Despite the fact there are a vast number of sports movies, most are centred upon the athlete, team or coach. They don’t really look at the backroom staff. This is probably they aren’t the stars, they only support them. And perhaps for this reason they should belong to the backroom.