I first started analysing and writing about rugby in 2009 to improve my abilities as a coach. My reasoning was that if I could find ways to explain the game in articles, this would help me get my message across to players.
I started with words but quickly decided that I could better explain key points using video.
Initially I just cut up clips and wrote about them – then I progressed to adding voice overs, pausing the footage at key points and adding in arrows, crosses, circles etc.
I also started dabbling with animation to explain how moves worked.
I’ve used still images of key moments and added in arrows, crosses, circles, running lines etc. to help better explain points in my articles.
There are limitations with all of these methods and I’ve been working on a better way to explain my points.
After many months of trial and error I’m pleased to publish my first rugby analysis using a combination of these methods.
When I coach I find it’s best to stand at the end of the field because you can see so much more of how plays are developing. While we see end on footage of many events in rugby games, there are many more where we don’t see that footage.
To overcome that I’ve used animation to take what we see on our television screens from a side on camera in an attempt to bring the play to life. This involves a 3D animation so you can see the play from end on and blending that with a view from above.
There’s still work to be done refining some rough edges and some other features to add in but I decided Nick Cummins’ try against France last weekend was a great way to launch this new way of looking at the game.
I hope you enjoy and I look forward to your feedback.
Colin
Guest
Love it Scott always read you out west great analysis insightful, love it!
RobC
Roar Guru
Thanks Scott, good viewing. Two thumbs up. My fantasy 3D analysis would be work in contact. Tackle, contest for the ball, ruck, clearance. Comprises around 6 people. All in 5 seconds, or less.
Visionhairy
Guest
Thanks Scott, I always enjoy watching end to end for picking up space on the field and seeing how teams use it with the ball and defend the space without it. Great analysis. Loved the brilliant play from Toomua and the smart line run by AAC. Izzy continuing across field with Cummins running unopposed on the wing seemed like a mistake at the time but was well done by both players in the end. Toomua had made himself available if Izzy straightened to score on the inside or Cummins would have easily scored out wide. Excellent play all-round.
Visionhairy
Guest
Cooper would have thrown a triple cut out for QLD and the attack would have stopped dead with the drifting defenders waiting for the obvious. With Lucas at 10 we finally saw some ggod back tries from the Reds. Graham has a problem with taming Cooper and getting him to play flat and straight. Every coach has had the same problem with Quade and always will it seems. Ewen had some success when he had Digby to do all the inside running and some success also on the EOYT by using Toomua to do all of the hard straightening work. The Wallabies attack looks so much better because Foley plays so flat and straight (like Toomua does as a 10 too). Foley and Toomua don't just stand deep and throw long passes, they commit the inside defence and open up space for wide players. Folau, AAC, Badge and Kurindrani are reaping the rewards of two inside backs playing hard and straight.
Been able to watch it, thanks Scott, great breakdown of the move, just one comment. The inside pass to Toomua looks very flat indeed on your graphics. ;)
Mevan VK
Roar Rookie
The video is working perfectly in Singapore now! Awesome analysis Scott!
Gnostic
Guest
Great stuff Scott. Love the 3D, great innovation to bring the old war map from training room to the interweb. I hope that people realise and appreciate the amount of time required to do a standard video analysis, let alone adding graphics. like this and rotating the field of play to keep the player positions and motions. Not as simple as it seems. Great content and explanations mate, look forward to the next edition.
RebelRanger
Guest
Still no luck on an iPhone in London. Israel Folau? No he's more the innovative Mike Cron of rugby analysis.
Denby
Roar Rookie
Excellent article. Love your work Scott! Do you think this sort or attack will have the same effect on the Boks and AB's? Do you think this sort of attack will work as well with different players, say an injury to Folau / Foley / AAC or the reintroduction of Cooper?
Scott Allen
Expert
Thanks - glad it's been well received
IronAwe
Guest
Simply brilliant.
Scott Allen
Expert
Guys - if you were unable to view from outside Australia, try again now as some adjustments have been made regarding access.
Digby
Roar Guru
Fantastic thank you Scott. On another note, works fine on PC in NZ, seems to be issues with the geo block on Tablets and Phones. Will work it out ;)
Dave
Guest
Scott Allen, the Israel Folau of rugby analysis. Hope he doesn't get poached by a cashed up French rugby blog.
JB
Guest
Agree Rhino, to have that creativity during a scrambled 6th phase is dangerous, particularly when there are defenders in the line like chouly that aren't use to set piece type move.
Rhino
Guest
Great stuff Scott. The real beauty of this try is that it was the 6th phase so the forwards had done their job and the backs maintained their lines and positions and pulled off a great finish. Any chance you can give Richard Graham some analysis help. The Reds need you!
Matthew Leon
Guest
Is it just me who can't view the video? For some reason it just wont work.
DaveL
Guest
In Bali. Same for me.
Scott Allen
Expert
Thanks. No software, it's something I've written myself.
Shop
Roar Guru
Can't watch it either. I'm in Argentina. I could before but the last couple of weeks I've had no luck.