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The Role of Big data Analytics in Sports Science
Analytical systems have become a backbone of most businesses over the past decade. Most of the time, basic software needed for operating a business in major verticals is easily accessible, without costing the client half their fortune. Clients can simply purchase software off the shelf and customize it.
So, does that mean that companies that build such software from scratch may soon become obsolete?
Hardly.
With enhanced capabilities come enhanced requirements.
Plasma, with its advancements in AI/ML combined with its expertise in real-time analytics and dashboards, can now foray into innovative areas such as sports science.
What is Sports Science?
Sports science captures visual data, throughout the game, and event logs that describe events such as passes, shots, tackles, and so on at specific times. This data is then analyzed and used by a team’s coach to gain a competitive advantage in training and recruitment.
Until recently, observational data was used by team coaches for tactical analysis of opposing teams. This approach failed to take advantage of important contextual information. There is only so much that a human mind can analyze in real time without tools to review the data later. However, detailed game logs can now be obtained through next-generation tracking technologies. This data provides context to every single goal scored in a game, along with the overall result analysis. Analysts are increasingly storing the data in a central repository for analysis. They can:
- Analyze decision patterns of a player and provide their team with solutions to get around them
- Analyze decision patterns of their own players and adjust physiological training to incorporate different reactions in similar situations
- Analyze opposing team’s dynamics and interactions and adjust their own strategy accordingly
- Find loopholes in their own formation and adjust it accordingly
The Role of Big Data Analytics
All this heavy analysis leads to the opposite problem where the shear amount of data becomes an obstacle. Methodological guidelines as well as theoretical modelling of tactical decision-making in team sports is targeted, but seldom achieves the desired result. What this means is that sportsmen do not perform extensive mathematical calculations before each kick. Most of the game is played on instinct – the sheer variation in player response under similar conditions makes the standard deviation so large that predictive analysis results become useless. Even if we try to anticipate and simulate the game the game result based on the model provided by the team’s coach, the actual setting of the game and the subsequent result may be quite different.
To top off the problems with data complexity, there is the issue of handling data that is outside the range of current tracking capabilities. An aerial trajectory, for example. No tool yet exists that can handle such complex non straight-line passes (or more complex motions involving the spin of the ball).
Still, it is projected that with exponential growth of data points being collected, we will be able to pin down more and more random variables involved in deciding the result of the game. Soon, our systems should be able to predict a game’s result with a confidence level of ~ 70%.
As exciting as all this may sound, we urge the reader to question: what is the end goal here? If we can accurately predict the result of games, do we really want to proceed in that direction and take away the fun of the game? Those are questions that will need to be answered as we move forward with our advanced technologies.
Client Says
We are implementing Plasma Ag Solutions across our network of locations. Plasma Ag provides several capabilities that stand out for our users such as Programs, Rebate management, and Inventory tracking. It is quite difficult to track margin information on crop protection products in our industry so our Owner Operators love the transparency the system provides. We utilize the system to professionalize our support to the network and it has become a bit success with all of them.
Several hundreds of our retail locations and joint ventures use Plasma Ag solutions as a part of their core operations. Plasma solutions provide very useful tools and deep insights to users – including tracking customer transactions and financial information. Their applications are tightly integrated with CRM, ERP, Accounting, and our other mission critical IT infrastructure and third-party systems. The dashboards provide rich analysis and insights that helps us adjust to the changing markets.
Plasma Ag solutions have been a tremendous asset to our operations. They offer powerful capabilities such as managing Retail programs, Products, Programs, local discounts, and wraps. Ability to track inventory at physical locations, calculating true and average costs, rebates and accruals on user-friendly and simple interfaces has helped us and our retail customers adopt Plasma Ag solutions quickly.
Our software, system and processes used to be an old struggling engine. Plasma team solved all that. With exceptional training and planning, their consultative executive team down to their support team executed the deployment with first-class speed and professionalism. Their platform not only removed all the pain points in my division, but also created a ripple effect benefiting my entire company.
It has been my experience that Plasma has the technical expertise, commitment, and work-ethic to deliver best-in-class solutions that allow business owners to fully realize business strategies and objectives. They work in a highly professional manner to ensure that the clients’ requirements and recommendations are fully realized. I would highly recommend Plasma for any web enablement initiative that you may be considering.
Plasma has been a smart choice for us as our online business partner. I don’t even consider our work with them outsourcing because Plasma management takes the time to truly understand our business and is able to direct its technology resources for the most efficient and quality output possible. I don’t think you can say that about many companies in their space.
Plasma has been a smart choice for us with our online requirements. I would recommend them to any company looking to better manage their online presence.
It has been my pleasure to work with the Plasma Team since August 2008. We have completed three major builds and multiple smaller projects in this time. I heartily recommend Plasma Comp to anyone needing a workable, practical and effective system solution. Plasma’s Q&A process was extremely thorough. They quickly understood what was needed and then worked the process with pointed and penetrating questions to ensure they had the entire picture of the finished product.
I think Plasma has come a long way in embracing our philosophy of becoming more agile, both leading and following in this area when necessary. The teams have been very open to change and have a great attitude. I have no complaints!
Plasma is a great vendor to work with. They took us from an email-based process to a fully designed, web-based workflow. They have dramatically changed how our devices are certified to be used on our network and they will save you time as well! One of the many processes in our current environment has saved us so much time; from four months down to a few days!
