السبت، 24 ديسمبر 2016

How Sports Analytics Rose To Become The Game Changer

By Joshua Parker


Although big data is now accepted in many industries, it's a fairly new concept in sports. More and more teams are however turning to statistics when outlining strategies to help them succeed both on and off the field. In future, any entity that doesn't make use of sports analytics will risk undermining their competitive advantage.

No coach wants their star players to sit out matches because they're injured. And in some sports where the chances of getting hurt are quite high, finding effective ways to minimize injury levels is crucial. A number of teams have thus started using wearable gadgets and fitness trackers to gather data that would help detect, monitor and prevent injuries. Further analysis of the collected information could also help pinpoint causes of performance declines, such as poor sleeping habits. All in all, teams are able to keep their prized players fit while also reducing medical and insurance costs.

Some of the most crucial elements of team sports are quite hard to quantify. And understanding what one can't measure is practically impossible. However, even the most dynamic and unpredictable game has a few identifiable patterns. This is where videos of the opponent's past matches come in handy. By closely examining the footage along with each player's stats, coaches are able to identify what they could exploit as they try to overcome their opponents. Data analysis thus helps teams adapt their tactics and utilize their strengths to obtain competitive advantage.

Analytics tools have enabled coaches to improve their teams while using fewer resources. Thanks to stats and modeling, it becomes easy to pick vital role players at lower costs while discarding high-maintenance individuals who perform dismally. Even the smaller teams are now becoming more competitive; better comparison techniques have facilitated the recruitment of players who can positively impact the entity's bottom line. In a nutshell, coaches are able to fix inefficiencies and take advantage of undervalued positions in a bid to optimize their roster.

Besides helping clubs improve performance, the wealth of statistics is also improving how fans enjoy the action. As a result, more teams are now using various tactics to engage fans based on their participation and enthusiasm. Social media platforms are now facilitating interaction between players and fans. And as digital media continues to erode stadium attendance figures, improving the fans' experience will only become more crucial.

In spite of the mass influx of data analytics, challenges still crop up when it comes to optimal utilization of available resources. Perhaps the biggest hurdle faced by sports entities is the friction between IT personnel and other staff members. The value of information can only be extracted via proper communication. It would thus help if each party learns to communicate effectively and make proper use of available technology.

In future, data gathering and analysis will play a bigger role in professional sports. For instance, experts are exploring how statistical analysis could help players improve how they cope with the emotional aspects of sport. More breakthroughs can thus be expected as the field continues to mature.

Previously, coaches have mostly relied on intuition in the development of success strategies. But as more empirical concepts continue to gain acceptance, huge evolutionary shifts can be expected in sports. And this will be fuelled even further as historical barriers to effective communication continue to break down.




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