3 research outputs found
Determining spatio-temporal metrics that distinguish play outcomes in field hockey
Tactical behaviour in field sports can be examined using spatio-temporal
metrics, which are descriptions of player behaviour derived from data of player
positions over time. Many metrics can be computed that describe the
cooperative and adversarial interactions between players. The methods
typically used by sports performance analysts cannot appropriately analyse the
many possible spatio-temporal metrics and their interactions. Tantalisingly, the
interactions between these descriptions of player behaviour could potentially
describe tactical differences in performance.
This thesis describes a programme of research that determined some spatiotemporal metrics that distinguish play outcomes in field hockey. Methods
inspired by genetic analysts were used to estimate the influence of
combinations of spatio-temporal metrics on the outcome of field hockey plays.
The novel application of the genetic methods to sports performance data raised
some practical difficulties. Adjustments to the method facilitated the selection of
distinguishing metric combinations from an initially large list of over 3,600
metrics.
The adjustments made to the genetic methods represent one of several
contributions to knowledge made by this programme of research. These
contributions will help performance analysts with the increasingly common task
of analysing high-dimensional data. Other contributions to knowledge are a
suite of metric combinations that distinguish play outcomes in field hockey and
empirical support for some tactical preconceptions.
The key finding of interest for players and coaches is that play outcomes in field
hockey are distinguished by proximity to the goal and passing execution. The
metrics that distinguish the several outcomes differ depending on the outcomes
being compared. Coaches and athletes should therefore recognise the variety
of tactics required to minimise negative outcomes and maximise positive ones