1st XV use HighCAM
Tuesday 22nd November saw another visit of Phil Dicks from Performance Advantage (NE) Ltd. During the afternoon, working with the 1st and 2nd XV he demonstrated the value of HighCAM, a 8m high telescopic tower on which a video camera is secured. The camera, controlled remotely from the ground, can pick up detailed shape and patterns of both attacking play and defensive organisation, that are sometimes difficult to see from ground level. One of the main objectives of the session was to reinforce the organisation of width in defence, always important when preparing to play against Merchiston, who traditionally can attack all areas of the pitch.
Last time Performance Advantage visited the school, the Girl’s 1st XI were unbeaten in the following three games, scoring almost 20 goals. The 1st XV coaches; Duncan Harrison and Steve Bates, are analysing the footage as this article is being written and planning the specific motivational and informational feedback that they hope will ensure that the 1st XV will build on the last week’s victory against North Berwick. The 1st XV have been very unlucky this season, often losing by a late score and I am sure the whole school hopes that this use of technology will additional impetus to a team that have trained hard and improved greatly.