Video telestration as a pedagogical tool for memory recall in youth male football: a case study

Video telestration, overlaying visual annotations on video, is widely used in elite sport to enhance clarity during feedback, yet evidence in youth settings remains limited. This study evaluated the effect of telestration on delayed recall of session content among male youth football players. A 16-week within-subject intervention was conducted with 14 academy players (aged 14–16) viewing telestrated and non-telestrated clips across coach-led and player-led formats, with and without spaced “top-up” sessions. Recall was assessed using bespoke surveys aligned to eight academy game principles. Telestration produced higher recall scores than non-telestrated conditions (median = 54.41% vs. 43.75%), with the highest scores in player-led telestrated sessions with a top-up (median = 63.64%). Telestration reduced variability in recall, suggesting improved group understanding and tactical cohesion. Recall tended to be higher for structured principles (e.g. build-up, pressing) than reactive phases (e.g. defensive transitions). Players reported positive perceptions of telestration in terms of clarity and engagement. In an applied academy context, telestration was associated with improved delayed recall, with additional benefits from player-led delivery and spaced review. These findings support feedback designs that use clear visual cues and spaced retrieval opportunities to enhance retention of tactical information, with practical implications for session design and delivery.