Application window open for latest Scottish FA Performance Analysis courses

The Scottish FA's Performance Analysis courses return for 2025, with the application window now open. 

The first 'Intro to Performance Analysis' course kicks off next week, running from 4-6 February, before a Performance Analysis Certificate runs on 25-27 February and a Performance Analysis Award takes place on on 17-19 March.

The three courses can be completed as a triple header - for these who need to complete all three awards - or separately, for those who hold certain individual awards already

All three offerings will take place on Zoom and comprise three sessions of 2.5 hours (from 6pm - 8:30pm), with 8 hours of CPD awarded for the completion of each course. 

The three courses will also be repeated twice more throughout 2025. The full table of dates is listed below. Candidates can find out more information and register for the courses on COMET. 

Intro to Performance Analysis

This course aims to provide coaches with an understanding of how analysis can aid in maximising individual and team development and performance at all levels of the game. Candidates looking to apply must have attained a UEFA C Licence or a Talent ID Award.

Performance Analysis Certificate 

This course take an applied approach with the aim of enabling coaches and analysts to further develop their analysis skillset within both the player development and competitive environments. The completion of the above 'Intro to Performance Analysis' is a pre-requisite for applying for this course.

Performance Analysis Award

The focus of our Performance Analysis Award course is on the area of data analytics, providing an introduction into how data can be utilised to enhance understanding, to inform decision making and to enhance feedback to players and coaches.

Testimonials 

Claudio Lorenzani, Greg Moir and Steven McCarthy all completed the three courses in 2024 with the Scottish FA Coach Education Department.

Claudio Lorenzani, Academy Director of Transition Football Club in Johannesburg: "Sometimes as coaches we have a tendency to overdo the detail and the course was helpful in outlining the need to keep it short and sharp when presenting analysis to players to ensure they are engaged.

"Since completing the course, our team's analysis of opposition teams has improved significantly and the presentations I have been doing with our younger teams in particular is setting us apart in South Africa where such detail is not as common place. 

"The level of detail on the course certainly opened my eyes to what it takes to be a top level analyst and I was fortunate to meet some exceptionally talented candidates who I will continue to keep in touch with as we all continue on our journeys in football."

Greg Moir, Assistant Manager at Inverurie Loco Works: "I would actually say this is the best course I've done with the Scottish FA. One highlight would be the explanations of xG which I now understand in greater detail than I knew before in terms of what's considered a good chance and what isn't with regards to success rates.

"I also enjoyed the discussions about certain things like the most effective positions to cross a ball from to get a certain outcome and analysing the success rates of goalkeepers building from the back in comparison to going long.

"I've always been obsessed by analysis and individual sessions were always a part of our work at Locos but this has helped us have a more effective, tailored approach for different players. By knowing the appropriate things to be measuring for certain players, I've been able to help players make more informed decisions and it's taken our preparation to the next level."

Steven McCarthy, Head Coach at DePauw University in Indiana: "I do a lot of performance analysis in my role but this is the first time I've seen a course on it specifically. You usually just gain experience in it organically so it was something I thought sounded interesting. I initally signed up with CPD in mind, hoping to pick up some snippets but I took a lot more from it than I was expecting, particularly the Performance Analysis Award which was eye-opening.

"It was data heavy and it was useful to learn about the different platforms that can generatedata for you and how to utilise them. Data is the new frontier in the professional game as all teams have it and I definitely took a lot from that course as it was all new for me.

"The third one was all data-based. I definitely saw benefits. The first one was quite introductory for someone who had little idea but the second one was similar to 

"The Performance Analysis Certificate was also helpful as it relates closely to what what I do on a day to day basis for scouting my opponent and the Zoom option is perfect for international coaches like myself."