Analysing Sports Statistics Essay, Research Paper

Aim 3 ??????????? The first

two aims have been relatively straightforward to accomplish, the next objective

should be slightly more complex.? I have

plotted a scatter graph using the data and plotting Total time on the field

against the Coaches percentage score. As these points are reasonably close

together, and around the same line, I can assume that there is a correlation

between the points, which allows me to take the average by drawing a straight

line through the points. I have then proceeded to do this attempting to keep a

similar number of points on either side of the line whilst maintaining the

general trend of the results and allowing for anomalous results.? The result is that I now have a

straight-line graph which can be analysed using the equation y=mx +c, where m =

the gradient and c = the y intercept, where the line crosses the y-axis.? In order to calculate the gradient, I must

divide the change in y by the change in x.?

The change in y is 18 and the change in x is 450.? Therefore by dividing 18 by 450, I will

obtain a value for m: m = 18/450 m = 0.04 and c = 55 Therefore, y = 0.04x + 55 ??????????? I can now

use this formula to calculate the values of y given the values of x. For

example if I take a value of x such as 320, I should be able to calculate the

values for y in the following manner: y = 0.04*320 + 55 y = 67.8 ??????????? When I look

at my graph, I find that this value is correct.? In order to ensure that my formula is correct I will try it with

one more example of a value taken from the graph so that I can test by reading

off from the graph whether or not it is correct. I will take a value of x of

450 this time: y = 0.04*450 + 55 y = 73 ??????????? Once more

this value is correct according to my graph.?

This means that using the formula, y = 0.04x + 55, I can calculate any

player?s percentage score according to the Coach given the number of minutes he

has spent on the pitch.? For example,

given that a player has spent 550 minutes on the pitch, what is the Coach?s

percentage score? y = 0.04*550 + 55 y = 77 ??????????? I can

therefore state that had a player spent 550 minutes on the pitch, his Coach?s

percentage score would be 77%.?

Similarly given that a player?s Coach?s percentage score is 87% I can

calculate how long he would have spent on the pitch: 87 = 0.04*y + 55 87 – 55 = 0.04*y (87 – 55) / 0.04 = y 800 = y ??????????? I can

therefore state that he would have spent 800 minutes on the pitch if he had had

a Coach?s percentage score of 87%.? I

can therefore say that I can calculate with accuracy the Coach?s percentage

score or the total time spent on the pitch by any player. However, this system

clearly has its drawbacks, as it would be impossible for a player to have spent

longer than 450 minutes on the pitch.?

However, I could apply this scoring system to any 6 matches throughout

the course of the season, and provided players play at a constant level, I

could calculate the Coach?s percentage score given the time spent on the

field.? However, it is also clear that

as the player?s standard of play varies depending on the match in question, and

sometimes players have reasons for missing matches and therefore the time on

the field, although I have taken injury into account, may not be entirely 100%

reliable.? Therefore, although this

system provides a method of gauging the standard of individual players in the

Malvern College 1st XV, it is by no means an accurate measurement of

the quality of players due to other factors.?

However, it is an accurate guide that could be followed by a new coach

to pick the best XV players in the school.