Guides · Measuring · 9 November 2026 · Thomas Schüller
Video analysis: counting reliably
How to define events in a video so that two people count the same thing, and what to observe when filming other people.
A video shows everything and proves nothing as long as it is unclear what is being counted. Anyone recording turnovers, successful passes or jumps needs an exact description of each event beforehand: when it starts, when it ends and what does not belong to it.
Checking reliability
O'Donoghue recommends checking agreement: two people analyse the same clip, or the same person analyses it again a few days later. If the numbers differ clearly, the description of the event is not sharp enough. Hughes and Franks show how to build such recording systems step by step.
Filming other people
Filming in a club or school means processing personal data. The guidelines of the European Data Protection Board require a clear purpose and a legal basis; for children and adolescents parental consent is needed. Film only what you need and delete recordings once the purpose is fulfilled.
With video analysis
The tool records events live or from the video, evaluates them and compares runs. The video stays on the device and is not transmitted.
Key point: Describe the event precisely first, then count, then check agreement — and record only with a purpose and consent.
References
- O'Donoghue, P. (2007): Reliability issues in performance analysis. International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport 7(1), 35-48.
- Hughes, M.; Franks, I. M. (Hrsg.) (2004): Notational Analysis of Sport: Systems for Better Coaching and Performance in Sport, 2. Auflage. Routledge, London. ISBN 9780415290050.
- Europäischer Datenschutzausschuss (2020): Leitlinien 3/2019 zur Verarbeitung personenbezogener Daten durch Videogeräte, Version 2.0. angenommen am 29. Jänner 2020.