What are some examples of the use of sports analytics?

Asked by LostInParadise (32185

) January 19th, 2020

I know that sports analytics is the application of statistics to improve a team’s performance. I did a Web search and did not find much that was useful. One example from Money Ball was the discovery that a baseball player’s on base percentage is more important than batting average. What other examples are there? How can sports analytics be used for basketball or soccer?

Observing members: 0

Composing members: 0

2 Answers

Anything that can be counted can be analyzed.

Soccer: does team A have a better goal percentage when:
– players are 10 feet from the goal? 20 feet? 30 feet? and so on
– when kicking with left or right foot?
– when kicking from 90 degrees angle? 45 degree left? 45 degree right?
– sunny day? cloudy day?
– on two days rest? three days rest? a week’s rest?

Basketball:
– most of the same but also:
– amount of noise in arena?
– home versus away goal percentage?
– first team versus second team?
– West coast games versus east coast games (earlier starting time)

and so on.

elbanditoroso (33552

)“Great Answer” (1

) Flag as…

One thing that is starting to permeate football is that it is better to go for it on 4th and short than to punt. Also, usually better to go for a two point conversion than a field goal.

zenvelo (39546

)“Great Answer” (3

) Flag as…