September 21, 2021

We are not evil geniuses: Gen Z love video, so let them have it…

Written by:
Andy Muir

This may be a strange way to start, but can I please ask you take in the infographic below, and then write down how a couple of these stats might impact your coaching?

What did you think about? Would you be ok to share with us in the comments below?

Here’s what jumped out for Mark and me when we discussed them…

68 Videos per day!

This feels like a lot but, as there aren’t 68 hours in a day, it’s safe to assume these are not long-form video’s being watched.

Evil genius algorithm’s aside, the video content will also be self-selected by the viewer.

From a practical sense when engaging your squad in video analysis, we hear a lot of acknowledgements that the clips presented need to be short.

However, whilst it definitely happens, it is not identified as often that the coaches are giving the athletes the first opportunity to find their own content (learning opportunities).

It’s worth remembering that alongside all the increasing opportunities for consuming content, Gen Z are masterful at creating content.

In Coach Logic, players can create content just as easily as coaches.

Do you give your squad opportunities to consume AND create content?

7 in 10 feel more connected watching videos with others

The traditional view of video analysis is that the squad get together in a room and watch match footage. As coaches ourselves we would certainly advocate spending time with one another, as humans need that contact, but is everyone getting equal value from the session?

It’s also worth asking the question if all players see this as a safe opportunity to ask and answer questions that matter most to them.

Platforms such as Coach Logic create the opportunity to watch and review video collaboratively.

Give 10 players the task to review an hour’s worth of footage, and if the labour is divided up equally, it can be done in 6 minutes.

Under 10 minutes to review a full match!

In addition, by doing this simple act you are also helping your squad develop. Sounds like a win-win to us.

The collaboration doesn’t stop there; players and coaches can now revisit specific areas of the game and work together to decide on areas of development and identify examples of good performance.

Does this sound like a strong way to connect people through watching video?

80% say YouTube has helped them become more knowledgeable.

As co-founder of a sports video analysis software business, I love this.

Replace YouTube with the word ‘video’, and you can hopefully see why I think it is so powerful in a coaching context.

Watching video helps you become more knowledgeable and most of your squad, who likely fall into the Gen. Z category, have already made this connection.

This is great news, and the simple act of making video available at the earliest opportunity will only bring good things. I can guarantee your players will be curious, and by feeding that curiosity they will start learning and become more knowledgeable very quickly.

It is up to you how you present this. There is the example above that is a real time saver, but quite structured, so why not give them free reign to look out for their superpowers and add them in their own playlist.

Alternatively, could you combine the last 2 Gen. Z lessons and get them to watch footage of teams and players you aspire to be like.

This is exactly what Matt Gold of Abingdon school did, and within minutes his squad of 16-year-olds had picked out the ‘work-ons’ that a seasoned professional and international player had agreed with his coaches.

How do you feed your players curiosity and give them freedom to demonstrate understanding?

If you’d like to find out more about how Coach Logic is the perfect platform to engage your Gen Z superheroes, please get in touch

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