How video analysis is changing Oregon Premier FC

Oregon Premier Football Club, located just outside the Portland metro area, began recording their soccer matches six years ago. Initially, they hired a company that brought a camera to each game, but this proved to be too complicated. Subsequently, the club considered purchasing their own system, but finding it too challenging, they decided to invest in a Veo camera.

Today, the club has more than 15 cameras and has also entered into a partnership with Veo. These cameras benefit Oregon Premier FC and are used by their partner clubs.

English-born Alex Hockborn currently serves as the academy director in Oregon, a position he has held for the past four years. Since 2015, he has also been the Men's Head Coach, providing him with hands-on experience with Veo cameras. Video analysis is something Hockborn values highly in the modern football coaching world.

"When working with players, it's a great tool. We're able to put real data behind us. Sometimes, as coaches, we get lost in the results. One of the great things about Veo is that it's data. It's tangible data that doesn't lie to you. Being able to take the emotion out of the game and get real information is really key for not just the coaches but the players."

When asked about the most significant benefits of having video on the sideline, Hockborn quickly points out the ease of use with Veo. “The value of having a product like a Veo system is incredible for lower-level teams.” Additionally, he focuses on video quality, which, according to him, is best-in-class, and the fact that it’s portable, making it easy to take Veo on away trips.

Hockborn emphasizes the club's commitment to a possession-based playing style, encouraging players to navigate all three layers of the field confidently. This emphasis on strategy is further complemented by his recognition of the power of video analysis. The academy director underscores the importance of tangible data over mere results, stating, "We identify ourselves with a possession-based team and try and encourage players to play through all three layers of the field. We try to teach these players to be confident to simplify the game." This commitment to simplification is intricately linked to video analysis as a tool for coaches and players.

"I might think a game goes really well because we won. Being able to go back and review it and have a look at how it went is an important tool for coaches who want to push themselves to get better," Hockborn expresses.

‍Empowering coaches through Veo features

Delving into the analytical depths of Veo's platform, Hockborn provides insights into some of his key features. When discussing Veo Analytics, Hockborn emphasizes its instrumental role in tactical evaluation. "If we look at the feature Pass Strings, we can see how our game plan works. How many passing strings do we have in each half? How long are they?" These features examine the team's playing style, enabling coaches to gauge the effectiveness of their strategic approaches, identify patterns in team performance, and make informed decisions for ongoing refinement.

Furthermore, Hockborn highlights the temporal advantage offered by Veo's analytics studio. "For the Analytics Studio, the great thing is that I can go back and look across the season and see how it went. We can, in this way, spot the trends. So we can see where the chances are over the past five games." This retrospective analysis empowers the coaching staff to identify consistent strengths, address recurring weaknesses, and adapt strategies for sustained success.

Another feature highlighted by Hockborn is Instant Playback. Veo users can view and review the entire match or specific moments during the game. Instead of waiting until the recording is uploaded and processed, users can now view the moments instantly, allowing them to analyze and show their players' different situations right away on the sideline.

"I have the game on my iPad, and I can then look back at moments. Being able to show the players something from the game, a set piece or a rotation we might have missed, is really valuable.”

As a coach and academy director, Hockborn has a set of principles that he wants to implement in the club. Before using Veo, most of the analysis was done on whiteboards. However, with the Veo camera on the sideline, it has become easier for players to understand the playing style and simultaneously analyze their performances.

"Being able to translate the information that coaches have given them and see it on the screen is important because when you're on a field and you memorize it, you're only seeing what you're seeing on the pitch. But to have something higher up and see what's happening on the field is incredibly important for a player."

‍Bringing the game to live

‍Located in the Northwest, Oregon Premier FC is traveling a lot. Due to the long trips, family and friends are only sometimes on the sidelines. Therefore, it's crucial for the club to share the Veo Live app link with friends and family, allowing them to follow the action from home. The same applies internally within the club, where different teams support each other. ”If there is an important game, we send the link to other players in the club and get them to log in and support the team from home.”

At the same time, Hockborn emphasizes how easy it is to share live-streaming links with college coaches who want to keep track of Oregon Premier FC's matches.

“It’s really simple and easy to use. With all of the events happening around the US right now, it becomes increasingly more difficult for college coaches to attend many games. Maybe we have coaches from Florida who want to see our games. Instead of taking a flight across the country, we can just send them a link, and they can watch the game live. It's been a really valuable tool.”

The Veo features take analysis at Oregon Premier FC a step further, providing instant post-game review opportunities. Hockborn shares his experience: "It’s cool because the players will come off the field, and we can review the actual game within 20 minutes." This immediate feedback loop has proven invaluable, allowing players to reflect on moments, strategize, and learn on the go.

Oregon Premier FC's partnership with Veo has brought about positive changes in coaching methods, combining technology and teamwork for significant success. Over the past 18 months, 33 players have chosen collegiate play, highlighting the influence of Veo on Oregon Premier FC's possession-based playing style.

This article was published in FREE AGENT in 2024.

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