In this video, learn the method Palmeiras use to improve their decision making during live matches. In the 2023 season, this led to an almost 90% win rate.
Modern football is played at such a high pace that only allows the players a short moment on the ball to make a decision. When encountering a pressing team, a player could maybe only have a fraction of a second.
But it doesn’t have to be the same way for coaches analyzing the game from the sideline, who are observing the game unfolding, while formulating the next tactical change to improve team performance.
Hudl Replay is the tool Palmeiras are using to improve decision making at high speeds, by analyzing the action as it happens, then being able to use real-time analysis to make data-driven decisions.
Cameras set up in the stadium send a live feed to a viewing device on the Palmeiras sideline, in this instance the device is an iPad equipped with Hudl Replay. This way, Palmeiras coaches have a live feed of the match which can be paused and rewound backwards and forwards.
This means all instances in the game can be analyzed in real-time with no moments missed.
“Hudl Replay allows you to enter with your tablet and show the players," said Palmeiras Video Analysis Coordinator Rafael Costa. “The coach can rewind and review the instance, and this strategy was from within our own coaching staff. It's something we’ve embraced very well and we use it a lot.”
Directly from pitch side, the Palmeiras coaching team use Hudl Replay to watch a live feed of the match. The feed can watched in real time or rewound to review previous phases of play.
How to set up a Hudl Replay camera
Palmeiras have their cameras linked to Hudl Replay cabled into both of their home stadiums, but Replay works just as well with any high definition camera, IP camera, or for most optimal use, the fully integrated Hudl Focus capture system, of which Palmeiras had two installed on its training grounds.
“Today, Palmeiras is able to use Hudl Replay. Both at our home stadium through cabling, where we have cabled both of our home stadiums that we play in today,” Costa explained.
“For playing away from home, we use an antenna to achieve the connection, which we now use in all away stadiums, both in Brazil and throughout South America in the Copa Libertadores.
Last year, we managed to win almost 90% of the games, when the coach on the bench, could watch the games and make decisions that he thought were pertinent and could rewind and review the instances.”
The Hudl Focus outdoor camera is installed in both of Palmeiras' home stadiums. The fully-automated capture system provides the video feed for Hudl Replay on the sideline.
How Hudl Replay helps Palmeiras win on match day
Hudl Replay provides fast and instant feedback to the Palmeiras coaching team during the heat of battle, allowing decisions on player performance and tactical changes to be made in real time.
“On match day, the coaching staff has one clear requirement - win the game! And Hudl Replay helps us do that,” said Assistant Manager Carlos Martinho. “Hudl Replay helps us to be better prepared to be able to win the game.
Because the Hudl Replay isn’t just to show the players, it also allows us, the coaches, to be aware of everything that is happening in the game, so that at half time, which is the moment when the coaching staff has more capacity to intervene in the game, we can be more aware and be able to use Hudl Replay and be more instructed or more capable of giving the solutions that the particular game is asking for.”
Last year, we managed to win almost 90% of the games, when the coach on the bench, could watch the games and make decisions that he thought were pertinent and could rewind and review the instances.”
Rafael Costa: Video Analysis Coordinator, Palmeiras
The integrated system Palmeiras use to enhance their half-time analysis
The best way to enhance the instant video feed from Hudl Replay is to add data into the mix. Palmeiras use Hudl Sportscode to live code individual events happening on the Hudl Replay feed, which is then quickly turned into an output report to present to the players at the half-time break.
“At half-time, using Hudl Sportscode, I leave my computer here with Sportscode open with the images showing, and there’s almost always a review of the most important images from that game, what we might be doing well, what we might be able to correct,” explained Martinho.
“Then according to the Manager’s wishes, we can pass it on to the players, which often happens, showing the players in the game itself.
There are other times when we can just analyze the images, and the coach can just talk to the player, but we have that ability to bring up the images that allow us to intervene in the best way for what is important - to win the game!”
The live feed of the match from Hudl Replay integrates with Sportscode - allowing the match footage to be live coded and clipped for instant analysis or for presentations to be compiled for the half time break.
For Palmeiras to maintain their culture of success, which includes state, national and continental titles over the past four years, they understand that they need the best possible tools and support available to them to maintain their position as one of the strongest clubs in South America.
“For me, I think it’s extremely important when you have the main tools on the market,” said Costa. “We are talking about excellence, we’re talking about high-level work, we’re talking about a highly-competitive team, and in order to achieve excellence, you need tools that empower the team.”
