Post by vadcblue on Feb 5, 2005 12:16:11 GMT -5
Hello, I am new here...I am an applied mathematician and an alumnus of the University of Michigan, where I was a graduate assistant (offense) with the Varsity Football Program (1985-1991). I am currently with a telecommunications company in suburban D.C.. I want your expert opinion on the following regarding the use of applied mathematics.
* Football is the only sport that DOES NOT take advantage statistical analysis to formulate strategy. Baseball does so, albeit in limited areas, mainly sabermetrics, and a few teams in the NBA practice it, again not to its full potential. Coach Bill Belichik of New England employs the Bellman equation to decide whether to go for it on 4th downs as described by this ny times article:
www.nytimes.com/2004/12/12/magazine/12SABER.html?ex=1107147600&en=7850ec344de647c6&ei=5070
* Currently, NFL and NCAA teams calculate simple tendencies based on formation, down, etc. However, they DO NOT measure causality, probabilities, correlation, variances, distributions and other sophisticated techniques that WILL give them a tremendous advantage in game planning and strategy formulation.
* Data Mining is the automated extraction of hidden predictive information from statistics and allows users to analyze data to solve business decision problems. Coupled with mathematical modeling, it becomes a powerful tool that presents limitless advantages.
* Because of computing technology today, crunching NUMBERS is easier than ever, computing and technology cost is negligible. I am sure you already know this.
* Uses of Statistical Techniques like these WILL DEFINITELY cut down hours and hours of valuable practice and film study time, subsequently, teams can practice and study the more important and relevant aspects of the opponent.
There many issues pertaining to strategies that can be exposed and/or discovered through sophisticated mathematical/statistical analysis and DATA MINING. I will illustrate one example soon. But for now, I just want to know if you guys ever come across before.
* Football is the only sport that DOES NOT take advantage statistical analysis to formulate strategy. Baseball does so, albeit in limited areas, mainly sabermetrics, and a few teams in the NBA practice it, again not to its full potential. Coach Bill Belichik of New England employs the Bellman equation to decide whether to go for it on 4th downs as described by this ny times article:
www.nytimes.com/2004/12/12/magazine/12SABER.html?ex=1107147600&en=7850ec344de647c6&ei=5070
* Currently, NFL and NCAA teams calculate simple tendencies based on formation, down, etc. However, they DO NOT measure causality, probabilities, correlation, variances, distributions and other sophisticated techniques that WILL give them a tremendous advantage in game planning and strategy formulation.
* Data Mining is the automated extraction of hidden predictive information from statistics and allows users to analyze data to solve business decision problems. Coupled with mathematical modeling, it becomes a powerful tool that presents limitless advantages.
* Because of computing technology today, crunching NUMBERS is easier than ever, computing and technology cost is negligible. I am sure you already know this.
* Uses of Statistical Techniques like these WILL DEFINITELY cut down hours and hours of valuable practice and film study time, subsequently, teams can practice and study the more important and relevant aspects of the opponent.
There many issues pertaining to strategies that can be exposed and/or discovered through sophisticated mathematical/statistical analysis and DATA MINING. I will illustrate one example soon. But for now, I just want to know if you guys ever come across before.