Coaches Lisa Bluder and Steve Pikiell on AI Video Analysis

D1 Coaches Discuss the Value of Film

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Lisa Bluder took the Iowa Hawkeyes Women’s Basketball team to two NCAA national championship games in a row in 2023 and 2024. On top of being the all-time winningest coach in program history, the now-retired coach is notably responsible for helping to shape Caitlin Clark into a WNBA star. 

Dean of the Big Ten Coaches Steve Pikiell currently heads Rutgers Men’s Basketball. In 2021, Pikiell coached Rutgers to its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 30 years. This year, the Scarlet Knights sold out of season tickets during the summer — marking it the quickest home slate sellout in its school history.

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Tech continues to offer amazing breakthroughs for sports. GameChanger recognized this early on, seizing the opportunity to become the #1-rated youth sports app for live streaming, scheduling, statistics, and scorekeeping. But it’s not just superstar athletes who stand to benefit from cutting-edge advances. AI is reimagining how coaches approach game analysis and strategy throughout youth sports as well. 

This is why GameChanger is so excited Coaches Bluder and Pikiell joined us as ambassadors. We sat down with both to discuss the role AI will play in tomorrow’s coaching, especially with the launch of Film Room for basketball.

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Q: Let’s start with a basic question: what is film study and why does it matter?

A: (Bluder): Film study is a powerful tool for individual skill development and team strategy. It helps coaches and players analyze performances objectively, identify areas for improvement, and reinforce successful techniques.

‍A: (Pikiell): Agreed. This visual feedback is also invaluable for correcting form, understanding game situations, and developing a higher sports IQ.

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Q: Why does every sport, no matter the play style, benefit from game film? 

A: (Pikiell): If you coach sports, or even if you're an educator, you know athletes often repeat the same mistakes. With film, you have concrete evidence to show these mistakes. 

A: (Bluder): You're not guessing anymore.

A: (Pikiell): Exactly. The evidence is irrefutable. It's amazing to see players’ eyes light up when they realize what they're doing wrong.

A: (Bluder): Absolutely. Any athlete benefits from watching themselves on film. Whether it's how you swing a golf club, throw a baseball, or shoot free throws, there's a reason coaches everywhere stress film study. It gives athletes that "aha" moment.

A: (Pikiell): Once you have that, you can take your game to the next level.

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Q: Coaches and scouts often rely on game footage analysis, performance statistics, and intuition to evaluate potential recruits. How could AI video analysis assist in future player recruitment and talent evaluation? 

A: (Pikiell): Right now, our staff spends countless hours reviewing game filmwatching game footage and highlight reels of potential recruits. In the future, AI could streamline this process by analyzing all this video data much, much faster.

A: (Bluder): I could also see AI coaching tools helping to identify players who might fly under the radar because they excel in specific aspects of the game. An AI system could even recognize lesser-known attributes, like a player's exceptional court vision or defensive positioning.

A: (Pikiell): Stuff human scouts could miss!

A: (Bluder): AI video analysis can also transform how to evaluate a player's growth potential. In women's basketball, we often recruit players who are still developing physically. AI could help us project how a player would develop over their college career based on patterns it identifies with successful players' progression. 

‍A: (Pikiell): Yes. It could also even show us how potential recruits might fit into one specific system. 

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Q: While some coaches are eagerly embracing AI tools, others remain hesitant, preferring to stick with tried-and-true methods. For coaches who might be slow to adopt new technologies, what advice would you give them about integrating tools like GameChanger’s Film Room into their routine?

‍A: (Bluder): It’s important to remember that adopting new technology doesn't mean discarding everything you've learned as a coach. 

‍A: (Pikiell): 100%. Your experience and instincts are still invaluable. Tools like Film Room are there to supplement your coaching, not supplant it.

‍A: (Bluder): After all, at least at the college level, you’re dealing with very young adults. For so much of my career, I was helping young women cope with all sorts of challenges that come with being a student athlete. 

‍A: (Pikiell): Same here with the men’s program. Plus, even pro athletes need mentorship on and off the court. AI can’t help with that. 

‍A: (Bluder): At least not yet!

‍A: (Pikiell): I completely understand the hesitation, though. 

‍A: (Bluder): Me too.

‍A: (Pikiell): Also, it should be said that as coaches, we often rely on our experience and instincts. Introducing new technology takes us out of our comfort zone. My advice is to approach it with an open mind and start small. 

‍A: (Bluder): You can begin by using a tool like GameChanger Film Room for one specific aspect of your coaching, then when you feel comfortable, work up from there.

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Zooming out, it's clear that AI will soon enhance the world of coaching. What stands out from our chat with Coaches Bluder and Pikiell is that these tools work best when paired with the irreplaceable wisdom and experience of great human coaches. This powerful combo of tech and tradition will lift all sports — not just basketball — to greater heights.